[Openmp-commits] [openmp] [libomp] Add kmp_str_ref (ADT 1/2) (PR #176162)

[Shilei Tian via Openmp-commits]

shiltian wrote:

> You should first discuss this with people that work with customers :)

Well, that is why I suggested bringing the proposal to the OpenMP meeting. ;-)

`libomp` is already C++ in practice, but it is not a C++ library. We already use as many C++ features in `libomp` as we can while still keeping it a C library. As development has moved on, there have been many attempts to reinvent C++ features, and I have pushed back on that quite a bit. Over time, though, that made me wonder whether it is time to move forward instead.

Realistically, `libomp` has not seen much active development for a long time, or put more positively, it has been very stable for a long time. Most of the recent new code is about offloading support, and people already have to use a C++ compiler for offloading code anyway. Technically they might not have to, but `libomptarget` is a C++ library. On top of that, most supporting libraries are C++ as well. Given all this, would making this change really be that significant? We can still provide a legacy C library for anyone who requires it, but they just would not get new features.

Again, this is just an idea. I'm not actively involved in OpenMP development now, so I don't have strong opinions on it.

https://github.com/llvm/llvm-project/pull/176162