7.12. Deprecated Features
In the past, the GNU C++ compiler was extended to experiment with new
features, at a time when the C++ language was still evolving. Now that
the C++ standard is complete, some of those features are superseded by
superior alternatives. Using the old features might cause a warning in
some cases that the feature will be dropped in the future. In other
cases, the feature might be gone already.
While the list below is not exhaustive, it documents some of the options
that are now deprecated:
- -fexternal-templates, -falt-external-templates
These are two of the many ways for G++ to implement template
instantiation. Section 7.6 Where's the Template?. The C++ standard clearly
defines how template definitions have to be organized across
implementation units. G++ has an implicit instantiation mechanism that
should work just fine for standard-conforming code.
- -fstrict-prototype, -fno-strict-prototype
Previously it was possible to use an empty prototype parameter list to
indicate an unspecified number of parameters (like C), rather than no
parameters, as C++ demands. This feature has been removed, except where
it is required for backwards compatibility Section 7.13 Backwards Compatibility.
The named return value extension has been deprecated, and is now
removed from G++.
The use of initializer lists with new expressions has been deprecated,
and is now removed from G++.
Floating and complex non-type template parameters have been deprecated,
and are now removed from G++.
The implicit typename extension has been deprecated and is now
removed from G++.
The use of default arguments in function pointers, function typedefs and
and other places where they are not permitted by the standard is
deprecated and will be removed from a future version of G++.
