Hi

while discussing MISRA C++ rules wrt bit fields we came across the
following (slightly changed in C++20) sentence [class.bit] p.4:

"If a value of an enumeration type is stored into a bit-field of the
same type and the width is large enough to hold all the values of that
enumeration type (9.7.1), the original value and the value of the
bit-field compare equal."

This silently introduces UB, if the bit field is narrower as the
underlying type.

For an enumeration type with a specified underlying type that by
definition can represent all of its values, does that mean a bit field
must not be shorter than the underlying type to make it useful. Or does
it mean, only the named enumerators can be stored to be no UB.

struct{
std::byte a:4;
};

can I ever access a and compare it with std::byte{0} ?

Wouldn't it be useful to allow shorter bit fields for enumeration types
and allow values that fit to be taken out of the bitfield?

Regards
Peter.

-- 
Peter Sommerlad
Better Software: Consulting, Training, Reviews
Modern, Safe & Agile C++
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