[Bug c++/46220] [4.3/4.4/4.5/4.6 Regression] Error: invalid covariant return type generated for incomplete class type and different qualifer

["jason at gcc dot gnu.org" <gcc-bugzilla at gcc dot gnu dot org>]

http://gcc.gnu.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=46220

Jason Merrill <jason at gcc dot gnu.org> changed:

           What    |Removed                     |Added
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             Status|NEW                         |ASSIGNED

--- Comment #5 from Jason Merrill <jason at gcc dot gnu.org> 2011-03-03 20:52:00 UTC ---
(In reply to comment #4)
> Jason, is there a reason to disallow covariant returns where the return type
> only differs in cv-qualification of the class type?
> 
> Could the requirement for a complete type be incorporated into the second
> bullet of p5, since it has to be complete for us to know it's an accessible
> base?

Seems reasonable to me.  Or change "if the return type..." to "if the class in
the return type...". I note that EDG accepts the testcase.

> Why does the third bullet of p5 talk about the cv-qualification of pointers and
> references, when top-level cv-quals in return types are ignored, and references
> have no cv-quals?  Is this an artefact of ARM-era C++?

Top-level cv-quals are not ignored in return types, only in parameter types.

> Am I misreading the wording, or should I ask Mike to open an issue?

I think an issue to clarify this would be appropriate.  I'll go ahead and fix
the compiler.