A mechanized semantics for C++ object construction and destruction, with applications to resource management

We present a formal operational semantics and its Coq mechanization for the C++ object model, featuring object construction and destruction, shared and repeated multiple inheritance, and virtual function call dispatch. These are key C++ language features for high-level system programming, in particular for predictable and reliable resource management. This paper is the first to present a formal mechanized account of the metatheory of construction and destruction in C++, and applications to popular programming techniques such as “resource acquisition is initialization.” We also report on irregularities and apparent contradictions in the ISO C++03 and C++11 standards.

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2012
• Where: POPL
• Authors: Tahina Ramananandro, Gabriel Dos Reis, Xavier Leroy
• Keywords: Apparent Contradictions, Multiple Inheritance, Operational Semantics, POPL 2012, Programming Languages