Using local classes with STL algorithms

Question

I have always wondered why you cannot use locally defined classes as predicates to STL algorithms.

In the question: Approaching STL algorithms, lambda, local classes and other approaches, BubbaT mentions says that 'Since the C++ standard forbids local types to be used as arguments'

Example code:

int main() {
   int array[] = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 };
   std::vector<int> v( array, array+10 );

   struct pair : public std::unary_function<int,bool>
   {
      bool operator()( int x ) { return !( x % 2 ); }
   };
   std::remove_if( v.begin(), v.end(), pair() ); // error
}

Does anyone know where in the standard is the restriction? What is the rationale for disallowing local types?

Answer 1

It's explicitly forbidden by the standard.

C++0x will remove that restriction.

To be more complete :

The restrictions on types that are used as template parameters are listed in article 14.3.1 of the C++03 (and C++98) standard:

A local type, a type with no linkage, an unnamed type or a type compounded from any of these types shall not be used as a template-argument for a template type-parameter.

template <class T> class Y { /* ... */  }; 
void func() {   
      struct S { /* ... */ }; //local class   
      Y< S > y1; // error: local type used as template-argument  
      Y< S* > y2; // error: pointer to local type used as template-argument }

Source and more details : http://www.informit.com/guides/content.aspx?g=cplusplus&seqNum=420

To sum up, the restriction was a mistake that would have been quickly fixed if the standard was evolving faster...

Answer 2

The restriction will be removed in '0x, but I don't think you'll be using them very much. And that's because C++-0x is going to have lambdas! :)

int main() {
   int array[] = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 };
   std::vector<int> v( array, array+10 );

   std::remove_if( v.begin()
                 , v.end()
                 , [] (int x) -> bool { return !(x%2); })
}

My syntax in the above may be not be perfect, but the general idea is there.