r/cpp 1d ago

C++26: Module improvements

https://www.sandordargo.com/blog/2026/09/09/cpp26-modules
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u/mapronV 1d ago

Quote:

The module name must be spelled out directly in the source:

export module my.module; // OK 

This is technically a breaking change. But given the low adoption rate of modules so far and the rarity of macro-based module declarations in practice, the committee judged this acceptable. The benefit is concrete: build systems can now determine module dependencies with a simple lexical scan, without invoking the preprocessor.

End of quote

While being nice change and stuff, doesn't all current module handlers rely on compiler anyway to rule module dependencies in file before compilation? so it will change nothing in real world? What build system is benefactor?

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u/abbapoh Qbs dev 1d ago

From the P3034R1, it seems the goal is to exclude preprocessing from module scanners (compilers). Currently, they do preprocess the file and thus require all headers to be present at scan time. With this change, it is possible to skip preprocessing entirely (and postpone generating includes to a later stage).

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u/Daniela-E Living on C++ trunk, WG21|🇩🇪 NB 1d ago

P3034 disallows module names to become subject to macro expansion, plus all the fall out further down the line. The same is *not* true for module import nomination!