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<title>Issue 2629: [filesys.ts] [PDTS] Unclear semantics of read_symlink on error</title>
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<p><em>This page is a snapshot from the LWG issues list, see the <a href="lwg-active.html">Library Active Issues List</a> for more information and the meaning of <a href="lwg-active.html#TS">TS</a> status.</em></p>
<h3 id="2629"><a href="lwg-defects.html#2629">2629</a>. [filesys.ts] [PDTS] Unclear semantics of <code>read_symlink</code> on error</h3>
<p><b>Section:</b> 15.27 [filesys.ts::fs.op.read_symlink] <b>Status:</b> <a href="lwg-active.html#TS">TS</a>
 <b>Submitter:</b> GB-16 <b>Opened:</b> 2014-01-20 <b>Last modified:</b> 2017-07-30</p>
<p><b>Priority: </b>Not Prioritized
</p>
<p><b>View all issues with</b> <a href="lwg-status.html#TS">TS</a> status.</p>
<p><b>Discussion:</b></p>
<p><b>Addresses: filesys.ts</b></p>
<p>Unclear semantics of read_symlink on error: 15.27 [fs.op.read_symlink] has:
Returns: If p resolves to a symbolic link, a path object containing the contents of
that symbolic link. Otherwise path(). and also [Note: It is an error if p does not
resolve to a symbolic link. -- end note]</p>
<p>I do not believe path() can be a valid return for the overload not taking error_code.</p>

<p>Strike "Otherwise <code>path()</code>."</p>

  <p><i>[2014-02-09, Beman Dawes provides wording]</i></p>


  <p/>

  <p><i>[2014-02-13 LWG/SG-3 Issaquah: Proposed wording accepted.]</i></p>




<p id="res-2629"><b>Proposed resolution:</b></p>
  <i>Change 15.27 [fs.op.read_symlink]:</i>

  <blockquote>
    <p>
      <i>Returns:</i>&nbsp; If <code>p</code> resolves to a symbolic
      link, a <code>path</code> object containing the contents of that symbolic
      link. <del>Otherwise <code>path()</code>.</del> The signature with argument <code>ec</code>
      returns <code>path()</code> if an error occurs.
    </p>
    <p>
      <i>Throws:</i> As specified in Error reporting. [<i>Note:</i> It is an error if 
      <code>p</code> does not resolve to a symbolic link. &mdash; <i>end note</i>]
    </p>
  </blockquote>







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