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C++26 contracts add preconditions and postconditions to functions

cppstories.com 10 min read Editor score 7/10

The guide introduces C++26 contracts through preconditions and postconditions, covering declarations, definitions and compiler options. Engineers maintaining C++ code can assess how the language standard expresses and checks function requirements.

What

C++26 contracts add preconditions and postconditions to function declarations and definitions.

How

A precondition such as `index < values.size()` can express a requirement in the function declaration; checking semantics can ignore, report or terminate.

Why it matters

Contracts make API requirements visible without inspecting implementation code, and can document APIs even when runtime checks are disabled.

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