[Bug c++/78704] New: operator-> pointer return type is not recognized as pointer type

[joseph.h.garvin at gmail dot com]

https://gcc.gnu.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=78704

            Bug ID: 78704
           Summary: operator-> pointer return type is not recognized as
                    pointer type
           Product: gcc
           Version: 6.2.0
            Status: UNCONFIRMED
          Severity: normal
          Priority: P3
         Component: c++
          Assignee: unassigned at gcc dot gnu.org
          Reporter: joseph.h.garvin at gmail dot com
  Target Milestone: ---

My coworker Jay Miller discovered this but he couldn't create an account
because of the spam restriction in effect. He tried to send an e-mail to the
overseers list as suggested but it bounced back -- it's possible nobody can
create accounts or request them right now.

In this minimal test case operator-> returns a pointer type but neither GCC 4.9
or 6.2 recognize it as such:

struct Object
{
    int key;
};

// Making this a class rather than a template allows it to compile
template <typename Key>
class Foo
{
public:
    // Changing the returning type to const Object* allows it to compile
    auto operator->() const { return &b; }

private:
    Object b;
};

// Making this a class rather than a template allows it to compile
template <typename T>
class X
{
protected:
    Foo<int> cont;

public:
    int get_val() const
    {
        // error: result of 'operator->()' yields non-pointer result
        return cont->key;

        // Calling operator-> directory compiles fine
        //return cont.operator->()->key;
    }
};

int main()
{
    return 0;
}