Does adding `noexcept(false)` benefit the code in any way?

Question

Recently in my code I have been explicitly writing noexcept(false) on functions that I know do throw exceptions, mainly for people reading the code. However, I am w

Answer 1

Having no exception-specifier and explicitly stating noexcept(false) are equivalent, see §15.4/12:

A function with no exception-specification or with an exception-specification of the form noexcept(constant-expression) where the constant-expression yields false allows all exceptions.

So the compiler should not distinguish between them when considering exceptions.

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More importantly, there's no need for you to be tacking on noexcept(false) to your functions. As a C++ developer, you should assume every function throws by default (which is why the standard takes this stance), so you're adding no new information by writing it out; it's a waste of time for everyone.

Rather, do mark the special case where a function definitely does not throw with noexcept, and do mark the cases where a function may throw depending on some condition with noexcept(condition).

If your function is purposefully the source of some exception E, write that in your documentation.