● Covered by 1 source · 2 reportsMedium impact2 negative
C++26 Draft Fails DIS Ballot, Delaying Features Like Contracts and Reflection
Key points
- C++26 draft failed its DIS ballot.
- First C++ draft to fail this ballot stage.
- Features like contracts and reflection are delayed.
- The draft received 12 'in favor' votes, short of the 14 required.
- C++26 DIS ballot failed on October 23, 2026.
- The failure was due to concerns about the 'contracts' feature.
- A previous DIS, ISO/IEC DIS 26926, also failed and its project was halted.
C++26 Draft Fails Ballot
The C++26 draft did not pass its Draft International Standard (DIS) ballot, a significant and unprecedented event for the C++ language. This marks the first time a C++ draft has failed this stage of the standardization process, according to Robert Seacord, convenor of the C committee, and Daveed Vandevoorde, a member of the WG21 Direction Group.
Impact on Key Features
The failure of the ballot means that several anticipated features, including reflection, std::execution, library hardening, and contracts, will not be immediately integrated into the C++26 standard. The duration of this delay is currently unknown, creating uncertainty for developers relying on these advancements.
Ballot Results
The ballot concluded on October 23, 2026. To pass, the draft needed 14 'in favor' votes from the 20 participating national bodies, but it only received 12. Additionally, a quarter of the 22 national bodies allowed to vote against the draft would have been five negative votes, indicating further issues with the draft's acceptance.
Significance of Contracts
One of the delayed features, contracts, is particularly noted for its importance in API design and code documentation. Contracts allow programs to verify assumptions and record the intent of API designers, providing clearer usage guidelines than comments, which can become outdated. Their inclusion would have offered compile-time and run-time checks for values, similar to how concepts work for types.
Updates
- C++26 DIS ballot failed on October 23, 2026.
- The failure was due to concerns about the 'contracts' feature.
- A previous DIS, ISO/IEC DIS 26926, also failed and its project was halted.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
The C++26 Draft International Standard (DIS) was disapproved by ISO National Bodies (NBs) on October 23, 2026, failing to achieve the required two-thirds majority. This marks the first time a C++ DIS ballot has failed since 1998, primarily due to concerns regarding the 'contracts' feature. The disapproval means the C++26 standard will not proceed in its current form, potentially halting the project as happened with a previous failed DIS.
The C++26 draft failed its Draft International Standard (DIS) ballot, marking the first time a C++ draft has not been approved at this stage. This outcome delays the standardization of features such as reflection, std::execution, library hardening, and contracts, impacting future C++ development.