The simplest and neatest c++11 ScopeGuard

Question

I'm attempting to write a simple ScopeGuard based on Alexandrescu concepts but with c++11 idioms.

namespace RAII
{
    template< typename Lambda >
    class ScopeGuard
    {
        mutable bool committed;
        Lambda rollbackLambda; 
        public:

            ScopeGuard( const Lambda& _l) : committed(false) , rollbackLambda(_l) {}

            template< typename AdquireLambda >
            ScopeGuard( const AdquireLambda& _al , const Lambda& _l) : committed(false) , rollbackLambda(_l)
            {
                _al();
            }

            ~ScopeGuard()
            {
                if (!committed)
                    rollbackLambda();
            }
            inline void commit() const { committed = true; }
    };

    template< typename aLambda , typename rLambda>
    const ScopeGuard< rLambda >& makeScopeGuard( const aLambda& _a , const rLambda& _r)
    {
        return ScopeGuard< rLambda >( _a , _r );
    }

    template<typename rLambda>
    const ScopeGuard< rLambda >& makeScopeGuard(const rLambda& _r)
    {
        return ScopeGuard< rLambda >(_r );
    }
}

Here is the usage:

void SomeFuncThatShouldBehaveAtomicallyInCaseOfExceptions() 
{
   std::vector<int> myVec;
   std::vector<int> someOtherVec;

   myVec.push_back(5);
   //first constructor, adquire happens elsewhere
   const auto& a = RAII::makeScopeGuard( [&]() { myVec.pop_back(); } );  

   //sintactically neater, since everything happens in a single line
   const auto& b = RAII::makeScopeGuard( [&]() { someOtherVec.push_back(42); }
                     , [&]() { someOtherVec.pop_back(); } ); 

   b.commit();
   a.commit();
}

Since my version is way shorter than most examples out there (like Boost ScopeExit) i'm wondering what specialties i'm leaving out. Hopefully i'm in a 80/20 scenario here (where i got 80 percent of neatness with 20 percent of lines of code), but i couldn't help but wonder if i'm missing something important, or is there some shortcoming worth mentioning of this version of the ScopeGuard idiom

thanks!

Edit I noticed a very important issue with the makeScopeGuard that takes the adquire lambda in the constructor. If the adquire lambda throws, then the release lambda is never called, because the scope guard was never fully constructed. In many cases, this is the desired behavior, but i feel that sometimes a version that will invoke rollback if a throw happens is desired as well:

//WARNING: only safe if adquire lambda does not throw, otherwise release lambda is never invoked, because the scope guard never finished initialistion..
template< typename aLambda , typename rLambda>
ScopeGuard< rLambda > // return by value is the preferred C++11 way.
makeScopeGuardThatDoesNOTRollbackIfAdquireThrows( aLambda&& _a , rLambda&& _r) // again perfect forwarding
{
    return ScopeGuard< rLambda >( std::forward<aLambda>(_a) , std::forward<rLambda>(_r )); // *** no longer UB, because we're returning by value
}

template< typename aLambda , typename rLambda>
ScopeGuard< rLambda > // return by value is the preferred C++11 way.
makeScopeGuardThatDoesRollbackIfAdquireThrows( aLambda&& _a , rLambda&& _r) // again perfect forwarding
{
    auto scope = ScopeGuard< rLambda >(std::forward<rLambda>(_r )); // *** no longer UB, because we're returning by value
    _a();
    return scope;
}

---

so for completeness, i want to put in here the complete code, including tests:

---

#include <vector>

namespace RAII
{

    template< typename Lambda >
    class ScopeGuard
    {
        bool committed;
        Lambda rollbackLambda; 
        public:

            ScopeGuard( const Lambda& _l) : committed(false) , rollbackLambda(_l) {}

            ScopeGuard( const ScopeGuard& _sc) : committed(false) , rollbackLambda(_sc.rollbackLambda) 
            {
                if (_sc.committed)
                   committed = true;
                else
                   _sc.commit();
            }

            ScopeGuard( ScopeGuard&& _sc) : committed(false) , rollbackLambda(_sc.rollbackLambda)
            {
                if (_sc.committed)
                   committed = true;
                else
                   _sc.commit();
            }

            //WARNING: only safe if adquire lambda does not throw, otherwise release lambda is never invoked, because the scope guard never finished initialistion..
            template< typename AdquireLambda >
            ScopeGuard( const AdquireLambda& _al , const Lambda& _l) : committed(false) , rollbackLambda(_l)
            {
               std::forward<AdquireLambda>(_al)();
            }

            //WARNING: only safe if adquire lambda does not throw, otherwise release lambda is never invoked, because the scope guard never finished initialistion..
            template< typename AdquireLambda, typename L >
            ScopeGuard( AdquireLambda&& _al , L&& _l) : committed(false) , rollbackLambda(std::forward<L>(_l))
            {
                std::forward<AdquireLambda>(_al)(); // just in case the functor has &&-qualified operator()
            }


            ~ScopeGuard()
            {
                if (!committed)
                    rollbackLambda();
            }
            inline void commit() { committed = true; }
    };


    //WARNING: only safe if adquire lambda does not throw, otherwise release lambda is never invoked, because the scope guard never finished initialistion..
    template< typename aLambda , typename rLambda>
    ScopeGuard< rLambda > // return by value is the preferred C++11 way.
    makeScopeGuardThatDoesNOTRollbackIfAdquireThrows( aLambda&& _a , rLambda&& _r) // again perfect forwarding
    {
        return ScopeGuard< rLambda >( std::forward<aLambda>(_a) , std::forward<rLambda>(_r )); // *** no longer UB, because we're returning by value
    }

    template< typename aLambda , typename rLambda>
    ScopeGuard< rLambda > // return by value is the preferred C++11 way.
    makeScopeGuardThatDoesRollbackIfAdquireThrows( aLambda&& _a , rLambda&& _r) // again perfect forwarding
    {
        auto scope = ScopeGuard< rLambda >(std::forward<rLambda>(_r )); // *** no longer UB, because we're returning by value
        _a();
        return scope;
    }

    template<typename rLambda>
    ScopeGuard< rLambda > makeScopeGuard(rLambda&& _r)
    {
        return ScopeGuard< rLambda >( std::forward<rLambda>(_r ));
    }

    namespace basic_usage
    {
        struct Test
        {

            std::vector<int> myVec;
            std::vector<int> someOtherVec;
            bool shouldThrow;
            void run()
            {
                shouldThrow = true;
                try
                {
                    SomeFuncThatShouldBehaveAtomicallyInCaseOfExceptionsUsingScopeGuardsThatDoesNOTRollbackIfAdquireThrows();
                } catch (...)
                {
                    AssertMsg( myVec.size() == 0 && someOtherVec.size() == 0 , "rollback did not work");
                }
                shouldThrow = false;
                SomeFuncThatShouldBehaveAtomicallyInCaseOfExceptionsUsingScopeGuardsThatDoesNOTRollbackIfAdquireThrows();
                AssertMsg( myVec.size() == 1 && someOtherVec.size() == 1 , "unexpected end state");
                shouldThrow = true;
                myVec.clear(); someOtherVec.clear();  
                try
                {
                    SomeFuncThatShouldBehaveAtomicallyInCaseOfExceptionsUsingScopeGuardsThatDoesRollbackIfAdquireThrows();
                } catch (...)
                {
                    AssertMsg( myVec.size() == 0 && someOtherVec.size() == 0 , "rollback did not work");
                }
            }

            void SomeFuncThatShouldBehaveAtomicallyInCaseOfExceptionsUsingScopeGuardsThatDoesNOTRollbackIfAdquireThrows() //throw()
            {

                myVec.push_back(42);
                auto a = RAII::makeScopeGuard( [&]() { HAssertMsg( myVec.size() > 0 , "attempt to call pop_back() in empty myVec"); myVec.pop_back(); } );  

                auto b = RAII::makeScopeGuardThatDoesNOTRollbackIfAdquireThrows( [&]() { someOtherVec.push_back(42); }
                                    , [&]() { HAssertMsg( myVec.size() > 0 , "attempt to call pop_back() in empty someOtherVec"); someOtherVec.pop_back(); } );

                if (shouldThrow) throw 1; 

                b.commit();
                a.commit();
            }

            void SomeFuncThatShouldBehaveAtomicallyInCaseOfExceptionsUsingScopeGuardsThatDoesRollbackIfAdquireThrows() //throw()
            {
                myVec.push_back(42);
                auto a = RAII::makeScopeGuard( [&]() { HAssertMsg( myVec.size() > 0 , "attempt to call pop_back() in empty myVec"); myVec.pop_back(); } );  

                auto b = RAII::makeScopeGuardThatDoesRollbackIfAdquireThrows( [&]() { someOtherVec.push_back(42); if (shouldThrow) throw 1; }
                                    , [&]() { HAssertMsg( myVec.size() > 0 , "attempt to call pop_back() in empty someOtherVec"); someOtherVec.pop_back(); } );

                b.commit();
                a.commit();
            }
        };
    }
}

Answer 1

Boost.ScopeExit is a macro that needs to work with non-C++11 code, i.e. code that has no access to lambdas in the language. It uses some clever template hacks (like abusing the ambiguity that arises from using < for both templates and comparison operators!) and the preprocessor to emulate lambda features. That's why the code is longer.

The code shown is also buggy (which is probably the strongest reason to use an existing solution): it invokes undefined behaviour due to returning references to temporaries.

Since you're trying to use C++11 features, the code could be improved a lot by using move semantics, rvalue references and perfect-forwarding:

template< typename Lambda >
class ScopeGuard
{
    bool committed; // not mutable
    Lambda rollbackLambda; 
    public:


        // make sure this is not a copy ctor
        template <typename L,
                  DisableIf<std::is_same<RemoveReference<RemoveCv<L>>, ScopeGuard<Lambda>>> =_
        >
        /* see http://loungecpp.net/w/EnableIf_in_C%2B%2B11
         * and http://stackoverflow.com/q/10180552/46642 for info on DisableIf
         */
        explicit ScopeGuard(L&& _l)
        // explicit, unless you want implicit conversions from *everything*
        : committed(false)
        , rollbackLambda(std::forward<L>(_l)) // avoid copying unless necessary
        {}

        template< typename AdquireLambda, typename L >
        ScopeGuard( AdquireLambda&& _al , L&& _l) : committed(false) , rollbackLambda(std::forward<L>(_l))
        {
            std::forward<AdquireLambda>(_al)(); // just in case the functor has &&-qualified operator()
        }

        // move constructor
        ScopeGuard(ScopeGuard&& that)
        : committed(that.committed)
        , rollbackLambda(std::move(that.rollbackLambda)) {
            that.committed = true;
        }

        ~ScopeGuard()
        {
            if (!committed)
                rollbackLambda(); // what if this throws?
        }
        void commit() { committed = true; } // no need for const
};

template< typename aLambda , typename rLambda>
ScopeGuard< rLambda > // return by value is the preferred C++11 way.
makeScopeGuard( aLambda&& _a , rLambda&& _r) // again perfect forwarding
{
    return ScopeGuard< rLambda >( std::forward<aLambda>(_a) , std::forward<rLambda>(_r )); // *** no longer UB, because we're returning by value
}

template<typename rLambda>
ScopeGuard< rLambda > makeScopeGuard(rLambda&& _r)
{
    return ScopeGuard< rLambda >( std::forward<rLambda>(_r ));
}

Answer 2

Even shorter: I don't know why you guys insist on putting the template on the guard class.

#include <functional>

class scope_guard {
public: 
    template<class Callable> 
    scope_guard(Callable && undo_func) try : f(std::forward<Callable>(undo_func)) {
    } catch(...) {
        undo_func();
        throw;
    }

    scope_guard(scope_guard && other) : f(std::move(other.f)) {
        other.f = nullptr;
    }

    ~scope_guard() {
        if(f) f(); // must not throw
    }

    void dismiss() noexcept {
        f = nullptr;
    }

    scope_guard(const scope_guard&) = delete;
    void operator = (const scope_guard&) = delete;

private:
    std::function<void()> f;
};

Note that it is essential that the cleanup code does not throw, otherwise you get in similar situations as with throwing destructors.

Usage:

// do step 1
step1();
scope_guard guard1 = [&]() {
    // revert step 1
    revert1();
};

// step 2
step2();
guard1.dismiss();

My inspiration was the same DrDobbs article as for the OP.

---

Edit 2017/2018: After watching (some of) Andrei's presentation that André linked to (I skipped to the end where it said "Painfully Close to Ideal!") I realized that it's doable. Most of the time you don't want to have extra guards for everything. You just do stuff, and in the end it either succeeds or rollback should happen.

Edit 2018: Added execution policy which removed the necessity of the dismiss call.

#include <functional>
#include <deque>

class scope_guard {
public:
    enum execution { always, no_exception, exception };

    scope_guard(scope_guard &&) = default;
    explicit scope_guard(execution policy = always) : policy(policy) {}

    template<class Callable>
    scope_guard(Callable && func, execution policy = always) : policy(policy) {
        this->operator += <Callable>(std::forward<Callable>(func));
    }

    template<class Callable>
    scope_guard& operator += (Callable && func) try {
        handlers.emplace_front(std::forward<Callable>(func));
        return *this;
    } catch(...) {
        if(policy != no_exception) func();
        throw;
    }

    ~scope_guard() {
        if(policy == always || (std::uncaught_exception() == (policy == exception))) {
            for(auto &f : handlers) try {
                f(); // must not throw
            } catch(...) { /* std::terminate(); ? */ }
        }
    }

    void dismiss() noexcept {
        handlers.clear();
    }

private:
    scope_guard(const scope_guard&) = delete;
    void operator = (const scope_guard&) = delete;

    std::deque<std::function<void()>> handlers;
    execution policy = always;
};

Usage:

scope_guard scope_exit, scope_fail(scope_guard::execution::exception);

action1();
scope_exit += [](){ cleanup1(); };
scope_fail += [](){ rollback1(); };

action2();
scope_exit += [](){ cleanup2(); };
scope_fail += [](){ rollback2(); };

// ...

Answer 3

You might be interested in seeing this presentation by Andrei himself on his own taken on how to improve scopedguard with c++11

Answer 4

You can use std::unique_ptr for that purpose which implements the RAII pattern. For example:

vector<int> v{};
v.push_back(42);
unique_ptr<decltype(v), function<void(decltype(v)*)>>
    p{&v, [] (decltype(v)* v) { if (uncaught_exception()) { v->pop_back(); }}};
throw exception(); // rollback 
p.release(); // explicit commit

The deleter function from the unique_ptr p rolls the formerly inserted value back, if the scope was left while an exception is active. If you prefer an explicit commit, you can remove the uncaugth_exception() question in the deleter function and add at the end of the block p.release() which releases the pointer. See Demo here.

Answer 5

I use this works like a charm, no extra code.

shared_ptr<int> x(NULL, [&](int *) { CloseResource(); });

Answer 6

There's a chance this approach will be standardized in C++17 or in the Library Fundamentals TS through proposal P0052R0

template <typename EF>
scope_exit<see below> make_scope_exit(EF &&exit_function) noexcept;

template <typename EF>
scope_exit<see below> make_scope_fail(EF && exit_function) noexcept;

template <typename EF>
scope_exit<see below> make_scope_success(EF && exit_function) noexcept;

On first glance this has the same caveat as std::async because you have to store the return value or the destructor will be called immediately and it won't work as expected.

Answer 7

Most of the other solutions involve a move of a lambda, e.g. by using the lambda argument to initialize a std::function or an object of type deduced from the lambda.

Here's one that is quite simple, and allows using a named lambda without moving it (requires C++17):

template<typename F>
struct OnExit
{
    F func;
    OnExit(F&& f): func(std::forward<F>(f)) {}
    ~OnExit() { func();  }
};

template<typename F> OnExit(F&& frv) -> OnExit<F>;

int main()
{
    auto func = []{ };
    OnExit x(func);       // No move, F& refers to func
    OnExit y([]{});       // Lambda is moved to F.
}

The deduction guide makes F deduce as lvalue reference when the argument is an lvalue.

Answer 8

Without commitment tracking, but extremely neat and fast.

template <typename F>
struct ScopeExit {
    ScopeExit(F&& f) : m_f(std::forward<F>(f)) {}
    ~ScopeExit() { m_f(); }
    F m_f;
};

template <typename F>
ScopeExit<F> makeScopeExit(F&& f) {
    return ScopeExit<F>(std::forward<F>(f));
};

#define STRING_JOIN(arg1, arg2) STRING_JOIN2(arg1, arg2)
#define STRING_JOIN2(arg1, arg2) arg1 ## arg2

#define ON_SCOPE_EXIT(code) auto STRING_JOIN(scopeExit, __LINE__) = makeScopeExit([&](){code;})

Usage

{
    puts("a");
    auto _ = makeScopeExit([]() { puts("b"); });
    // More readable with a macro
    ON_SCOPE_EXIT(puts("c"));
} # prints a, c, b

Answer 9

makeScopeGuard returns a const reference. You can't store this const reference in a const ref at the caller's side in a line like:

const auto& a = RAII::makeScopeGuard( [&]() { myVec.pop_back(); } ); 

So you are invoking undefined behaviour.

Herb Sutter GOTW 88 gives some background about storing values in const references.

Answer 10

FWIW I think that Andrei Alexandrescu has used a pretty neat syntax in his CppCon 2015's talk about "Declarative Control Flow" (video, slides).

The following code is heavily inspired by it:

Try It Online GitHub Gist

#include <iostream>
#include <type_traits>
#include <utility>

using std::cout;
using std::endl;

template <typename F>
struct ScopeExitGuard
{
public:
    struct Init
    {
        template <typename G>
        ScopeExitGuard<typename std::remove_reference<G>::type>
        operator+(G&& onScopeExit_)
        {
            return {false, std::forward<G>(onScopeExit_)};
        }
    };

private:
    bool m_callOnScopeExit = false;
    mutable F m_onScopeExit;

public:
    ScopeExitGuard() = delete;
    template <typename G> ScopeExitGuard(const ScopeExitGuard<G>&) = delete;
    template <typename G> void operator=(const ScopeExitGuard<G>&) = delete;
    template <typename G> void operator=(ScopeExitGuard<G>&&) = delete;

    ScopeExitGuard(const bool callOnScopeExit_, F&& onScopeExit_)
    : m_callOnScopeExit(callOnScopeExit_)
    , m_onScopeExit(std::forward<F>(onScopeExit_))
    {}

    template <typename G>
    ScopeExitGuard(ScopeExitGuard<G>&& other)
    : m_callOnScopeExit(true)
    , m_onScopeExit(std::move(other.m_onScopeExit))
    {
        other.m_callOnScopeExit = false;
    }

    ~ScopeExitGuard()
    {
        if (m_callOnScopeExit)
        {
            m_onScopeExit();
        }
    }
};

#define ON_SCOPE_EXIT_GUARD_VAR_2(line_num) _scope_exit_guard_ ## line_num ## _
#define ON_SCOPE_EXIT_GUARD_VAR(line_num) ON_SCOPE_EXIT_GUARD_VAR_2(line_num)
// usage
//     ON_SCOPE_EXIT <callable>
//
// example
//     ON_SCOPE_EXIT [] { cout << "bye" << endl; };
#define ON_SCOPE_EXIT                             \
    const auto ON_SCOPE_EXIT_GUARD_VAR(__LINE__)  \
        = ScopeExitGuard<void*>::Init{} + /* the trailing '+' is the trick to the call syntax ;) */


int main()
{
    ON_SCOPE_EXIT [] {
        cout << "on scope exit 1" << endl;
    };

    ON_SCOPE_EXIT [] {
        cout << "on scope exit 2" << endl;
    };

    cout << "in scope" << endl;  // "in scope"
}
// "on scope exit 2"
// "on scope exit 1"

For your usecase, you might also be interested in std::uncaught_exception() and std::uncaught_exceptions() to know whether your exiting the scope "normally" or after an exception has been thrown:

ON_SCOPE_EXIT [] {
    if (std::uncaught_exception()) {
        cout << "an exception has been thrown" << endl;
    }
    else {
        cout << "we're probably ok" << endl;
    }
};

HTH

Answer 11

Yet another answer, but I am afraid I find the others all lacking in one way or another. Notably, the accepted answer dates from 2012, but it has an important bug (see this comment). This shows the importance of testing.

Here is an implementation of a >=C++11 scope_guard that is openly available and extensively tested. It is meant to be/have:

• modern, elegant, simple (mostly single-function interface and no macros)
• general (accepts any callable that respects preconditions)
• carefully documented
• thin callback wrapping (no added std::function or virtual table penalties)
• proper exception specifications

See also the full list of features.

Answer 12

You already chosen an answer, but I'll take the challenge anyway:

#include <iostream>
#include <type_traits>
#include <utility>

template < typename RollbackLambda >
class ScopeGuard;

template < typename RollbackLambda >
auto  make_ScopeGuard( RollbackLambda &&r ) -> ScopeGuard<typename
 std::decay<RollbackLambda>::type>;

template < typename RollbackLambda >
class ScopeGuard
{
    // The input may have any of: cv-qualifiers, l-value reference, or both;
    // so I don't do an exact template match.  I want the return to be just
    // "ScopeGuard," but I can't figure it out right now, so I'll make every
    // version a friend.
    template < typename AnyRollbackLambda >
    friend
    auto make_ScopeGuard( AnyRollbackLambda && ) -> ScopeGuard<typename
     std::decay<AnyRollbackLambda>::type>;

public:
    using lambda_type = RollbackLambda;

private:
    // Keep the lambda, of course, and if you really need it at the end
    bool        committed;
    lambda_type  rollback;

    // Keep the main constructor private so regular creation goes through the
    // external function.
    explicit  ScopeGuard( lambda_type rollback_action )
        : committed{ false }, rollback{ std::move(rollback_action) }
    {}

public:
    // Do allow moves
    ScopeGuard( ScopeGuard &&that )
        : committed{ that.committed }, rollback{ std::move(that.rollback) }
    { that.committed = true; }
    ScopeGuard( ScopeGuard const & ) = delete;

    // Cancel the roll-back from being called.
    void  commit()  { committed = true; }

    // The magic happens in the destructor.
    // (Too bad that there's still no way, AFAIK, to reliably check if you're
    // already in exception-caused stack unwinding.  For now, we just hope the
    // roll-back doesn't throw.)
    ~ScopeGuard()  { if (not committed) rollback(); }
};

template < typename RollbackLambda >
auto  make_ScopeGuard( RollbackLambda &&r ) -> ScopeGuard<typename
 std::decay<RollbackLambda>::type>
{
    using std::forward;

    return ScopeGuard<typename std::decay<RollbackLambda>::type>{
     forward<RollbackLambda>(r) };
}

template < typename ActionLambda, typename RollbackLambda >
auto  make_ScopeGuard( ActionLambda && a, RollbackLambda &&r, bool
 roll_back_if_action_throws ) -> ScopeGuard<typename
 std::decay<RollbackLambda>::type>
{
    using std::forward;

    if ( not roll_back_if_action_throws )  forward<ActionLambda>(a)();
    auto  result = make_ScopeGuard( forward<RollbackLambda>(r) );
    if ( roll_back_if_action_throws )  forward<ActionLambda>(a)();
    return result;
}

int  main()
{
    auto aa = make_ScopeGuard( []{std::cout << "Woah" << '\n';} );
    int  b = 1;

    try {
     auto bb = make_ScopeGuard( [&]{b *= 2; throw b;}, [&]{b = 0;}, true );
    } catch (...) {}
    std::cout << b++ << '\n';
    try {
     auto bb = make_ScopeGuard( [&]{b *= 2; throw b;}, [&]{b = 0;}, false );
    } catch (...) {}
    std::cout << b++ << '\n';

    return 0;
}
// Should write: "0", "2", and "Woah" in that order on separate lines.

Instead of having creation functions and a constructor, you limited to just the creation functions, with the main constructor being private. I couldn't figure out how to limit the friend-ed instantiations to just the ones involving the current template parameter. (Maybe because the parameter is mentioned only in the return type.) Maybe a fix to that can be asked on this site. Since the first action doesn't need to be stored, it's present only in the creation functions. There's a Boolean parameter to flag if throwing from the first action triggers a roll-back or not.

The std::decay part strips both cv-qualifiers and reference markers. But you can't use it for this general purpose if the input type is a built-in array, since it'll apply the array-to-pointer conversion too.

Answer 13

Here's another one, now a variation on @kwarnke's:

std::vector< int > v{ };

v.push_back( 42 );

auto guard_handler =
[ & v ] ( nullptr_t ptr )
{
    v.pop_back( );
};

std::shared_ptr< decltype( guard_handler ) > guard( nullptr , std::move( guard_handler ) );