(j3.2006) Some Questions About Function Returnign a Pointer is a Variable (Was:: READ unit ambiguity)

[Van Snyder]

On Fri, 2012-03-02 at 11:21 -0800, Craig Dedo wrote:

> 	Unfortunately, nobody has yet ventured to answer my other questions.  I would like
> to see as many people as possible attempt to provide some serious answers to these
> questions.  I especially would like to hear from implementors.
> 
> 	Are there are any people brave, or foolish, enough to make an attempt? 
>  
> > > 	How difficult would it be to reverse out this abomination?
> > >
> > > 	How many compilers have already implemented this "feature"?
> > >
> > > 	How many programs or users depend on it?  How difficult would it be
> > > for them to change their programs if this "feature" was reversed out?
> > >
> > > 	What were the perceived benefits of this "feature"?  From my
> > > perspective, it appears to have few, if any, benefits and a very large number of
> > complications.

The edits to insert it into the draft standard were presented at meeting
176 in paper 06-154r3, which passed as amended with unanimous consent.

It was confirmed as a work item at the Fairfax meeting, in response to
UK request 008.  The specs and justification are in N1626, along with
the other work items.