2618. [filesys.ts] [PDTS] is_absolute() return clause confusing

Section: 8.4.10 [filesys.ts::path.query] Status: TS Submitter: FI-7 Opened: 2014-01-20 Last modified: 2017-07-30

Priority: Not Prioritized

View all issues with TS status.

Discussion:

Addresses: filesys.ts

is_absolute says: "Returns: true if the elements of root_path() uniquely identify a file system location, else false." The "uniquely identify a location" seems confusing in presence of symlinks.

Suggested action:

Clarify the returns clause so that there's no confusion about symlinks and 'location'.

[2014-02-10 Beman Dawes provides wording]

Proposed resolution:

Change 8.4.10 path query [path.query]:

bool is_absolute() const;

Returns: true if the elements of root_path() uniquely identify a file system location pathname contains an absolute path (4.1 [fs.def.absolute-path]) , else false.

[Example: path("/").is_absolute() is true for POSIX based operating systems, and false for Windows based operating systems.  — end example]