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std::is_polymorphic - cppreference.com

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template< class T > struct is_polymorphic;

 (since C++11)

std::is_polymorphic is a UnaryTypeTrait.

If T is a polymorphic class (that is, a non-union class that declares or inherits at least one virtual function), provides the member constant value equal to true. For any other type, value is false.

If T is an incomplete non-union class type, the behavior is undefined.

If the program adds specializations for std::is_polymorphic or std::is_polymorphic_v, the behavior is undefined.

Template parameters

Helper variable template

template< class T > constexpr bool is_polymorphic_v = is_polymorphic<T>::value;

 (since C++17)

Inherited from std::integral_constant

Member constants

true if T is a polymorphic class type, false otherwise
(public static member constant)

Member functions

converts the object to bool, returns value
(public member function)
returns value
(public member function)

Member types

Type Definition
value_type bool
type std::integral_constant<bool, value>

Possible implementation

namespace detail
{
    template<class T>
    std::true_type detect_is_polymorphic(
        decltype(dynamic_cast<const volatile void*>(static_cast<T*>(nullptr)))
    );
    template<class T>
    std::false_type detect_is_polymorphic(...);
} // namespace detail

template<class T>
struct is_polymorphic : decltype(detail::detect_is_polymorphic<T>(nullptr)) {};

Example

#include <type_traits>
 
struct A { int m; };
static_assert(!std::is_polymorphic_v<A>);

struct B { virtual void foo(); };
static_assert(std::is_polymorphic_v<B>);

struct C : B {};
static_assert(std::is_polymorphic_v<C>);
 
struct D { virtual ~D() = default; };
static_assert(std::is_polymorphic_v<D>);
 
// Uses inheritance, but not the virtual keyword:
struct E : A {};
static_assert(!std::is_polymorphic_v<E>);

struct F : virtual A {};
static_assert(!std::is_polymorphic_v<F>);

struct AX : A {};
struct AY : A {};
struct XY : virtual AX, virtual AY {};
static_assert(!std::is_polymorphic_v<XY>);
 
int main() {}

Defect reports

The following behavior-changing defect reports were applied retroactively to previously published C++ standards.

DR Applied to Behavior as published Correct behavior
LWG 2015 C++11 the behavior was undefined if
T is an incomplete union type 		the base characteristic is
std::false_type in this case

See also