Do covariant cv-qualifiers apply to primitive types in C++?
NO
§ 10.3.7 Virtual functions
The return type of an overriding function shall be either identical to the return type of the overridden function or covariant with the classes of the functions. If a function
D::f
overrides a functionB::f
, the return types of the functions are covariant if they satisfy the following criteria:
- both are pointers to classes, both are lvalue references to classes, or both are rvalue references to classes
- the class in the return type of
B::f
is the same class as the class in the return type ofD::f
, or is an unambiguous and accessible direct or indirect base class of the class in the return type ofD::f
- both pointers or references have the same cv-qualification and the class type in the return type of
D::f