Last month, I spent two weeks working on the following formal proposal for a new C++ feature:

Relocator: Efficiently moving objects

After incorporating much feedback in the C++ Proposals forum, I believe this proposal represents not only my ideas; but close to a consensus of everyone who expressed interest in this feature. I believe the document is fairly polished. I have submitted it as proposal P0023 via Ville Voutilainen, chair of the Evolution section of the ISO C++ working group (WG21).

It so happens that Ville is also the person who most vocally disagreed with my observations last month about problems in C++ standardization – to the extent of us colliding in a somewhat fiery altercation:

Ossification and Hawaii: Impressions of a C++ working group

When I submitted this proposal, Ville reiterated his position that I need to find a champion to represent it in the next WG21 meeting in October in Hawaii. This is how the Working Group goes about its work.

So far – despite considerable positive feedback – no one has volunteered to actually go to Hawaii for this. It seems most likely that I, also, will not be in a position to make the trip.

I think this will provide a data point about whether, and to what extent, ISO C++ has a problem.

I make the following prediction:

If I don't go to Hawaii; and no one else goes to champion this proposal; then it will not even be considered, despite support and interest in the C++ Proposals forum, and relative lack of opposition.

I'm not saying that the proposal should be accepted. I'm saying: if no one goes to Hawaii for it, it will not even be considered. It will be as though the work was never done; and the proposal never existed.

And if this happens; as I think it will – then, not fortunately at all, it will reinforce the idea that decent proposals, with decent support, are being lost, simply due to the nature of the standardization process.