placement new on a class with reference field

Question

This is a code example from the C++20 spec ([basic.life]/8):

struct C {
  int i;
  void f();
  const C& operator=( const C& );
};

const C& C::operator=( const C& other) {
  if ( this != &other ) {
    this->~C();              // lifetime of *this ends
    new (this) C(other);     // new object of type C created
    f();                     // well-defined
  }
  return *this;
}

int main() {    
  C c1;
  C c2;
  c1 = c2;   // well-defined
  c1.f();    // well-defined; c1 refers to a new object of type C
}

Would the following be legal or undefined behavior:

struct C {
  int& i; // <= the field is now a reference
  void foo(const C& other) {
    if ( this != &other ) {
      this->~C();  
      new (this) C(other);  
    }
  }
};

int main() {
    int i = 3, j = 5;
    C c1 {.i = i};
    std::cout << c1.i << std::endl;
    C c2 {.i = j};
    c1.foo(c2);
    std::cout << c1.i << std::endl;
}

In case it is illegal, would std::launder make it legal? where should it be added?

Note: p0532r0 (page 5) uses launder for a similar case.

In case it is legal, how can it work without "Pointer optimization barrier" (i.e. std::launder)? how do we avoid the compiler from caching the value of c1.i?

The question relates to an old ISO thread regarding Implementability of std::optional.

The question applies also, quite similarly, to a constant field (i.e. if above i in struct C is: const int i).

---

EDIT

It seems, as @Language Lawyer points out in an answer below, that the rules have been changed in C++20, in response to RU007/US042 NB comments.

C++17 Specifications [ptr.launder] (§ 21.6.4.4): --emphasis mine--

[ Note: If a new object is created in storage occupied by an existing object of the same type, a pointer to the original object can be used to refer to the new object unless the type contains const or reference members; in the latter cases, this function can be used to obtain a usable pointer to the new object. ...— end note ]

C++17 [ptr.launder] code example in the spec (§ 21.6.4.5):

struct X { const int n; };
X *p = new X{3};
const int a = p->n;
new (p) X{5}; // p does not point to new object (6.8) because X::n is const
const int b = p->n; // undefined behavior
const int c = std::launder(p)->n; // OK

C++20 [ptr.launder] Specifications (§ 17.6.4.5):

[ Note: If a new object is created in storage occupied by an existing object of the same type, a pointer to the original object can be used to refer to the new object unless its complete object is a const object or it is a base class subobject; in the latter cases, this function can be used to obtain a usable pointer to the new object. ...— end note ]

Note that the part:

unless the type contains const or reference members;

that appeared in C++17 was removed in C++20, and the example was changed accordingly.

C++20 [ptr.launder] code example in the spec (§ 17.6.4.6):

struct X { int n; };
const X *p = new const X{3};
const int a = p->n;
new (const_cast<X*>(p)) const X{5}; // p does not point to new object ([basic.life])
                                    // because its type is const
const int b = p->n;                 // undefined behavior
const int c = std::launder(p)->n;   // OK

---

Thus, apparently the code in question is legal in C++20 as is, while with C++17 it requires using std::launder when accessing the new object.

---

Open Questions:

• What is the case of such code in C++14 or before (when std::launder didn't exist)? Probably it is UB - this is why std::launder was brought to the game, right?

• If in C++20 we do not need std::launder for such a case, how the compiler can understand that the reference is being manipulated without our help (i.e. without "Pointer optimization barrier") to avoid caching of the reference value?

---

_{Similar questions here, here, here and here got contradicting answers, some see that as a valid syntax but advise to rewrite it. I'm focusing on the validity of the syntax and the need (yes or no) for std::launder, in the different C++ versions.}

Answer 1

It is legal to replace objects with const-qualified and reference non-static data members. And now, in C++20, [the name of|a [pointer|reference] to] the original object will refer to the new object after replacement. The rules has been changed in response to RU007/US042 NB comments http://wg21.link/p1971r0#RU007:

RU007. [basic.life].8.3 Relax pointer value/aliasing rules

...

Change 6.7.3 [basic.life] bullet 8.3 as follows:

If, after the lifetime of an object has ended and before the storage which the object occupied is reused or released, a new object is created at the storage location which the original object occupied, a pointer that pointed to the original object, a reference that referred to the original object, or the name of the original object will automatically refer to the new object and, once the lifetime of the new object has started, can be used to manipulate the new object, if:

• ...

• the type of the original object is not const-qualified, and, if a class type, does not contain any non-static data member whose type is const-qualified or a reference type neither a complete object that is const-qualified nor a subobject of such an object, and

• ...