Is it possible to ensure copy elision?

Question

Copy elision is a neat optimization technique and in some cases relying on copy elision can actually be faster than passing around references \"by hand\".

So, let\'s

Answer 1

No.

But you can write an equivalent, although completely unreadable, code:

BigObj f()
{
    BigObj x(g());
    x.someMethod();
    return x;
}

//...
BigObj z = f();
//...

is translated (with copy elision) to:

void f(BigObj* obj)
{
    new(obj) BigObj(g());
    obj->someMethod();
}

//...
char z[sizeof(BigObj)];
f((BigObj*)&z[0]);
//...
((BigObj*)&z[0])->~BigObj();

But seriously, just write your code in such a way that the compiler can elide the copy. I.e. return only one object without branching:

BigObj f()
{
    BigObj x, y;
    // use x and y
    if(condition)
        return x;
    else
        return y;
    // cannot be elided
}


BigObj f()
{
    if(condition)
    {
        BigObj x;
        return x;
    }
    else
    {
        BigObj y;
        return y;
    }
    // can be elided
}