Static constexpr odr-used or not? - c++

How come that the following works on gcc but doesn't on clang, (see it live):
constexpr int giveMeValue() { return 42; }
struct TryMe {
static constexpr int arr[1] = {
giveMeValue()
};
};
int main() {
int val = TryMe::arr[0];
return val;
}
I get an unresolved external symbol with clang.
Is TryMe::arr[0] an object? If it is, is it odr-used?

TryMe::arr is odr-used but you don't provide a definition (see it live):
constexpr int TryMe::arr[1];
Why is the result inconsistent between gcc and clang? This is because odr violations do not require a disagnostic, from both the C++11 and C++14 draft standard (emphasis mine):
Every program shall contain exactly one definition of every non-inline
function or variable that is odr-used in that program; no diagnostic
required.
We can see it is odr-used from the draft C++11 standard, section 3.2 which says:
An expression is potentially evaluated unless it is an unevaluated
operand (Clause 5) or a subexpression thereof. A variable whose name
appears as a potentially-evaluated expression is odr-used unless it is
an object that satisfies the requirements for appearing in a constant
expression (5.19) and the lvalue-to-rvalue conversion (4.1) is
immediately applied.
TryMe::arr is an object and it does satisfy the requirements for appearing in a constant expression but the lvalue-to-rvalue conversion is not immediately applied to TryMe::arr but to TryMe::arr[0].
The updated wording from the draft C++14 standard which applies to C++11 as well since it was applied via a defect report(DR 712):
A variable x whose name appears as a potentially-evaluated expression
ex is odr-used unless applying the lvalue-to-rvalue conversion (4.1)
to x yields a constant expression (5.19) that does not invoke any
non-trivial functions and, if x is an object, ex is an element of the
set of potential results of an expression e, where either the
lvalue-to-rvalue conversion (4.1) is applied to e, or e is a
discarded-value expression
The potential results of the expression TryMe::arr[0] is empty by the criteria in 3.2 paragraph 2 and so it is odr-used.
Note: you need to provide a definition outside of the class as per section 9.4.2 [class.static.data] which says (emphasis mine):
A static data member of literal type can be declared in the class
definition with the constexpr specifier; if so, its declaration shall
specify a brace-or-equal-initializer in which every initializer-clause
that is an assignment-expression is a constant expression. [ Note: In
both these cases, the member may appear in constant expressions. —end
note ] The member shall still be defined in a namespace scope if it
is odr-used (3.2) in the program and the namespace scope definition
shall not contain an initializer
Update
T.C. pointed out defect report 1926 which adds the following bullet to 3.2 [basic.def.odr] paragraph 2:
If e is a subscripting operation (5.2.1 [expr.sub]) with an array operand, the set contains that operand.
Which means subscripting an array is no longer an odr-use and so the OPs code would be well-formed in C++1z and it seems like C++14 since the defect looks like it is against C++14.

Related

Private static array in C++ [duplicate]

This is a follow up question to Undefined reference to static constexpr char[][].
The following program builds and runs fine.
#include <iostream>
struct A {
constexpr static char dict[] = "test";
void print() {
std::cout << A::dict[0] << std::endl;
}
};
int main() {
A a;
a.print();
return 0;
}
However, if I change A::print() to:
void print() {
std::cout << A::dict << std::endl;
}
I get the following linker error in g++ 4.8.2.
/tmp/cczmF84A.o: In function `A::print()':
socc.cc:(.text._ZN1A5printEv[_ZN1A5printEv]+0xd): undefined reference to `A::dict'
collect2: error: ld returned 1 exit status
The linker error can be resolved by adding a line:
constexpr char A::dict[];
outside the class definition.
However, it's not clear to me why using one of the members of the array does not cause a linker error while using the array causes a linker error.
The standard does not require any diagnostics for a failure to provide a definition where one is required.
3.2 One definition rule [basic.def.odr]
4 Every program shall contain exactly one definition of every non-inline function or variable that is odr-used in that program; no diagnostic required. [...]
This means implementations are allowed to optimise away accesses to such variables, and that's what's happening in your first case with GCC.
Both GCC and clang have decided that they prefer a consistent user experience, where error messages about missing definitions do not depend on the optimisation level. Usually, that means that any missing definition causes an error message. However, in this case, GCC is doing some minimal optimisation even at -O0, avoiding the error.
But the program is an error either way, because even A::dict[0] is an ODR-use:
3.2 One definition rule [basic.def.odr]
3 A variable x whose name appears as a potentially-evaluated expression ex is odr-used by ex unless applying the lvalue-to-rvalue conversion (4.1) to x yields a constant expression (5.19) that does not invoke any non-trivial functions and, if x is an object, ex is an element of the set of potential results of an expression e, where either the lvalue-to-rvalue conversion (4.1) is applied to e, or e is a discarded-value expression (Clause 5). [...]
The use of A::dict doesn't involve lvalue-to-rvalue conversion, it involves the array-to-pointer conversion, so the exception doesn't apply.
In addition to the information provided by #hvd in his answer...
From the C++ Draft Standard N3337 (emphasis mine):
9.4.2 Static data members
3 If a non-volatile const static data member is of integral or enumeration type, its declaration in the class definition can specify a brace-or-equal-initializer in which every initializer-clause that is an assignment- expression is a constant expression (5.19). A static data member of literal type can be declared in the class definition with the constexpr specifier; if so, its declaration shall specify a brace-or-equal-initializer in which every initializer-clause that is an assignment-expression is a constant expression. [ Note: In both these cases, the member may appear in constant expressions. — end note ] The member shall still be defined in a namespace scope if it is odr-used (3.2) in the program and the namespace scope definition shall not contain an initializer.
Given that A::data is odr-used in the expression A::data[0], as per the standard, it shall be defined in a namespace scope. The fact that g++ is able to successfully create a program without A::data being defined in a namescpace scope does not make the program right. To be standards compliant, A::data shall be defined.

Static Constexpr in Struct not found [duplicate]

Given the following code:
struct A { static constexpr int a[3] = {1,2,3}; };
int main () {
int a = A::a[0];
int b [A::a[1]];
}
is A::a necessarily odr-used in int a = A::a[0]?
Note: This question represents a less flamey/illogical/endless version of a debate in the Lounge.
First use of A::a:
int a = A::a[0];
The initializer is a constant expression, but that doesn't stop A::a from being odr-used here. And, indeed, A::a is odr-used by this expression.
Starting from the expression A::a[0], let's walk through [basic.def.odr](3.2)/3 (for future readers, I'm using the wording from N3936):
A variable x [in our case, A::a] whose name appears as a potentially-evaluated expression ex [in our case, the id-expression A::a] is odr-used unless
applying the lvalue-to-rvalue conversion to x yields a constant expression [it does]
that does not invoke any non-trivial functions [it does not] and,
if x is an object [it is],
ex is an element of the set of potential results of an expression e, where either the lvalue-to-rvalue conversion is applied to e, or e is a discarded-value expression.
So: what possible values of e are there? The set of potential results of an expression is a set of subexpressions of the expression (you can check this by reading through [basic.def.odr](3.2)/2), so we only need to consider expressions of which ex is a subexpression. Those are:
A::a
A::a[0]
Of these, the lvalue-to-rvalue conversion is not applied immediately to A::a, so we only consider A::a[0]. Per [basic.def.odr](3.2)/2, the set of potential results of A::a[0] is empty, so A::a is odr-used by this expression.
Now, you could argue that we first rewrite A::a[0] to *(A::a + 0). But that changes nothing: the possible values of e are then
A::a
A::a + 0
(A::a + 0)
*(A::a + 0)
Of these, only the fourth has an lvalue-to-rvalue conversion applied to it, and again, [basic.def.odr](3.2)/2 says that the set of potential results of *(A::a + 0) is empty. In particular, note that array-to-pointer decay is not an lvalue-to-rvalue conversion ([conv.lval](4.1)), even though it converts an array lvalue to a pointer rvalue -- it's an array-to-pointer conversion ([conv.array](4.2)).
Second use of A::a:
int b [A::a[1]];
This is no different from the first case, according to the standard. Again, A::a[1] is a constant expression, thus this is a valid array bound, but a compiler is still permitted to emit code at runtime to compute this value, and the array bound still odr-uses A::a.
Note in particular that constant expressions are (by default) potentially-evaluated expressions. Per [basic.def.odr](3.2)/2:
An expression is potentially evaluated unless it is an unevaluated operand (Clause 5) or a subexpression thereof.
[expr](5)/8 just redirects us to other subclauses:
In some contexts, unevaluated operands appear (5.2.8, 5.3.3, 5.3.7, 7.1.6.2). An unevaluated operand is not evaluated.
These subclauses say that (respectively) the operand of some typeid expressions, the operand of sizeof, the operand of noexcept, and the operand of decltype are unevaluated operands. There are no other kinds of unevaluated operand.
Yes, A::a is odr-used.
In C++11, the relevant wording is 3.2p2 [basic.def.odr]:
[...] A variable whose name appears as a potentially-evaluated expression is odr-used unless it is an object that satisfies the requirements for appearing in a constant expression (5.19) and the lvalue-to-rvalue conversion (4.1) is immediately applied. [...]
The name of the variable A::a appears in the declaration int a = A::a[0], in the full-expression A::a[0], which is a potentially-evaluated expression. A::a is:
an object
that satisfies the requirements for appearing in a constant expression
However, the lvalue-to-rvalue conversion is not immediately applied to A::a; it is applied to the expression A::a[0]. Indeed, lvalue-to-rvalue conversion may not apply to an object of array type (4.1p1).
So A::a is odr-used.
Since C++11, the rules have been broadened somewhat. DR712 Are integer constant operands of a conditional-expression "used?" introduces the concept of the set of potential results of an expression, which allows expressions such as x ? S::a : S::b to avoid odr-use. However, while the set of potential results respects such operators as the conditional operator and comma operator, it does not respect indexing or indirection; so A::a is still odr-used in the current drafts for C++14 (n3936 as of date).
[I believe this is a condensed equivalent to Richard Smith's answer, which however does not mention the change since C++11.]
At When is a variable odr-used in C++14? we discuss this issue and possible wording changes to section 3.2 to allow indexing or indirecting an array to avoid odr-use.
No, it is not odr-used.
First, both your array and its elements are of literal type:
[C++11: 3.9/10]: A type is a literal type if it is:
a scalar type; or
a class type (Clause 9) with
a trivial copy constructor,
no non-trivial move constructor,
a trivial destructor,
a trivial default constructor or at least one constexpr constructor other than the copy or move constructor, and
all non-static data members and base classes of literal types; or
an array of literal type.
Now we look up the odr-used rules:
[C++11: 3.2/2]: [..] A variable or non-overloaded function whose name appears as a potentially-evaluated expression is odr-used unless it is an object that satisfies the requirements for appearing in a constant expression (5.19) and the lvalue-to-rvalue conversion (4.1) is immediately applied. [..]
And here we've been referred to the rules on constant expressions, which contain nothing prohibiting your initialiser from being a constant expression; the pertinent passages are:
[C++11: 5.19/2]: A conditional-expression is a constant expression unless it involves one of the following as a potentially evaluated subexpression [..]:
[..]
an lvalue-to-rvalue conversion (4.1) unless it is applied to
a glvalue of integral or enumeration type that refers to a non-volatile const object with a preceding initialization, initialized with a constant expression, or
a glvalue of literal type that refers to a non-volatile object defined with constexpr, or that refers to a sub-object of such an object, or
a glvalue of literal type that refers to a non-volatile temporary object initialized with a constant expression;
[..]
(Don't be put off by the name of the production, "conditional-expression": it is the only production of constant-expression and is thus the one we're looking for.)
Then, thinking about the equivalence of A::a[0] to *(A::a + 0), after the array-to-pointer conversion you have an rvalue:
[C++11: 4.2/1]: An lvalue or rvalue of type "array of N T" or "array of unknown bound of T" can be converted to a prvalue of type "pointer to T". The result is a pointer to the first element of the array.
Your pointer arithmetic is then performed on this rvalue and the result is also an rvalue, used to initialise a. No lvalue-to-rvalue conversion here whatsoever, so still nothing violating "the requirements for appearing in a constant expression".

undefined reference when accessing static constexpr float member

This code works:
struct Blob {
static constexpr int a = 10;
};
int main() {
Blob b;
auto c = b.a;
}
But if I change int to float I get an error:
struct Blob {
static constexpr float a = 10.0f;
};
/tmp/main-272d80.o: In function main': main.cpp:(.text+0xe):
undefined reference toBlob::a'
Why can't I use a constexpr float in that way?
Compiler:
Ubuntu clang version 3.5.0-4ubuntu2 (tags/RELEASE_350/final)
Tested on gcc version 4.9.1 (Ubuntu 4.9.1-16ubuntu6) and there were no error.
EDIT:
It will compile if I use -O1, -O2, -O3 or -Os but fails with -O0
C++11 reads
A variable whose name appears as a potentially-evaluated expression is
odr-used unless it is an object that satisfies the requirements for
appearing in a constant expression (5.19) and the lvalue-to-rvalue
conversion (4.1) is immediately applied.
Clearly the l-t-r conversion is immediately applied, and a constexpr variable of floating point type can appear in constant expressions as per [expr.const]/(2.7.1):
A conditional-expression is a core constant expression unless it
involves one of the following as a potentially evaluated subexpression
[..]
an lvalue-to-rvalue conversion (4.1) unless it is applied to
a glvalue of literal type that refers to a non-volatile object defined with constexpr, or that refers to a sub-object of such an
object, or
Seems to be a Clang bug.
Interestingly, if we use Blob::a instead, clang does not complain:
auto c = Blob::a;
This should not matter for determining if the it is odr-used or not. So this looks like a clang bug which I can reproduce on clang 3.7 using no optimization only. We can tell this is an odr issue since adding a out of class definition fixes the issue (see it live):
constexpr float Blob::a ;
So when do you need to define a static constexpr class member? This is covered in section 9.4.2 [class.static.data] which says (emphasis mine going forward):
A static data member of literal type can be declared in the
class definition with the constexpr specifier; if so, its declaration shall specify a brace-or-equal-initializer
in which every initializer-clause that is an assignment-expression is a constant expression. [ Note: In both
these cases, the member may appear in constant expressions. —end note ] The member shall still be defined
in a namespace scope if it is odr-used (3.2) in the program and the namespace scope definition shall not
contain an initializer.
It requires a definition if it is odr-used. Is it odr-used? No, it is not. The original C++11 wording in section 3.2 [basic.def.odr] says:
An expression is potentially evaluated unless it is an unevaluated operand (Clause 5) or a subexpression
thereof. A variable whose name appears as a potentially-evaluated expression is odr-used unless it is an
object that satisfies the requirements for appearing in a constant expression (5.19) and the lvalue-to-rvalue
conversion (4.1) is immediately applied.
a satisfies both conditions, it is a constant expression and the lvalue-to-rvalue conversion is immediately applied. Defect Report 712 has changed the wording which applies to C++11 since it is a defect report and 3.2 now says:
A variable x whose name appears as a potentially-evaluated expression ex is odr-used unless applying the
lvalue-to-rvalue conversion (4.1) to x yields a constant expression (5.19) that does not invoke any non-trivial
functions and, if x is an object, ex is an element of the set of potential results of an expression e, where
either the lvalue-to-rvalue conversion (4.1) is applied to e, or e is a discarded-value expression
The potential result that matches would be:
If e is an id-expression (5.1.1), the set contains only e.
it is a constant expression and the lvalue-to-rvalue conversion is applied so it is not odr-used.

When is a variable odr-used in C++14?

The C++14 draft (N3936) states in §3.2/3:
A variable x whose name appears as a potentially-evaluated expression ex is odr-used unless applying the lvalue-to-rvalue conversion (4.1) to x yields a constant expression (5.19) that does not invoke any non-trivial functions and, if x is an object, ex is an element of the set of potential results of an expression e, where either the lvalue-to-rvalue conversion (4.1) is applied to e, or e is a discarded-value expression (Clause 5).
This doesn't make any sense to me: If an expression e is a discarded-value expression depends on the context, in which e is used. Every expression used in an expression-statement (§6.2) is a discarded-value expression. If the lvalue-to-rvalue conversion is applied to e also depends on the context e is used in.
Moreover, what does it mean for an expression to be in the set of potential results of another expression. One needs a notion of equality of expressions to be able to determine membership of a set. But we don't have referential transparency, so I cannot see how this could be achieved.
Why was this changed from C++11 to C++14? And how should this be interpreted? As it stands, it doesn't make sense.
The purpose of odr-use
Informally, odr-use of a variable means the following:
If any expression anywhere in the program takes the address of or binds a reference directly to an object, this object must be defined.
Clarification in the latest draft
In the latest version of the spec §3.2 has been clarified (see Draft C++14 on GitHub):
2 An expression is potentially evaluated unless it is an unevaluated operand (Clause 5) or a subexpression thereof. The set of potential results of an expression e is defined as follows:
If e is an id-expression (5.1.1), the set contains only e.
If e is a class member access expression (5.2.5), the set contains the potential results of the object expression.
If e is a pointer-to-member expression (5.5) whose second operand is a constant expression, the set contains the potential results of the object expression.
If e has the form (e1), the set contains the potential results of e1.
If e is a glvalue conditional expression (5.16), the set is the union of the sets of potential results of the second and third operands.
If e is a comma expression (5.18), the set contains the potential results of the right operand.
Otherwise, the set is empty.
[ Note: This set is a (possibly-empty) set of id-expressions, each of which is either e or a subexpression of e.
[ Example: In the following example, the set of potential results of the initializer of n contains the first S::x subexpression, but not the second S::x subexpression.
struct S { static const int x = 0; };
const int &f(const int &r);
int n = b ? (1, S::x) // S::x is not odr-used here
: f(S::x); // S::x is odr-used here, so
// a definition is required
—end example ] —end note ]
3 A variable x whose name appears as a potentially-evaluated expression ex is odr-used by ex unless applying the lvalue-to-rvalue conversion (4.1) to x yields a constant expression (5.19) that does not invoke any nontrivial functions and, if x is an object, ex is an element of the set of potential results of an expression e, where either the lvalue-to-rvalue conversion (4.1) is applied to e, or e is a discarded-value expression (Clause 5).
What was the situation in C++11?
§3.2/2 in C++11 reads:
An expression is potentially evaluated unless it is an unevaluated operand (Clause 5) or a subexpression thereof. A variable whose name appears as a potentially-evaluated expression is odr-used unless it is an object that satisfies the requirements for appearing in a constant expression (5.19) and the lvalue-to-rvalue conversion (4.1) is immediately applied.
The problem with these wordings was DR 712. Consider this example:
struct S {
static const int a = 1;
static const int b = 2;
};
int f(bool x) {
return x ? S::a : S::b;
}
Since S::a and S::b are lvalues the conditional expression x ? S::a : S::b is also an lvalue. This means that the lvalue-to-rvalue conversion is not immediately applied to S::a and S::b, but to the result of the conditional expression. This means that by the wording of C++11, these static data members are odr-used and a definition is required. But actually only the values are used, hence it is not neccessary to define the static data members - a declaration would suffices. The new wording of draft C++14 solves this.
Does the new wording resolve all issues?
No. In the following example the variable S::a is still odr-used:
struct S { static constexpr int a[2] = {0, 1}; };
void f() {
auto x = S::a[0];
}
Hence I submitted a new issue to add the following bullet to §3.2/2:
if e is a glvalue subscripting expression (5.2.1) of the form E1[E2], the set contains the potential results of E1.

Is a constexpr array necessarily odr-used when subscripted?

Given the following code:
struct A { static constexpr int a[3] = {1,2,3}; };
int main () {
int a = A::a[0];
int b [A::a[1]];
}
is A::a necessarily odr-used in int a = A::a[0]?
Note: This question represents a less flamey/illogical/endless version of a debate in the Lounge.
First use of A::a:
int a = A::a[0];
The initializer is a constant expression, but that doesn't stop A::a from being odr-used here. And, indeed, A::a is odr-used by this expression.
Starting from the expression A::a[0], let's walk through [basic.def.odr](3.2)/3 (for future readers, I'm using the wording from N3936):
A variable x [in our case, A::a] whose name appears as a potentially-evaluated expression ex [in our case, the id-expression A::a] is odr-used unless
applying the lvalue-to-rvalue conversion to x yields a constant expression [it does]
that does not invoke any non-trivial functions [it does not] and,
if x is an object [it is],
ex is an element of the set of potential results of an expression e, where either the lvalue-to-rvalue conversion is applied to e, or e is a discarded-value expression.
So: what possible values of e are there? The set of potential results of an expression is a set of subexpressions of the expression (you can check this by reading through [basic.def.odr](3.2)/2), so we only need to consider expressions of which ex is a subexpression. Those are:
A::a
A::a[0]
Of these, the lvalue-to-rvalue conversion is not applied immediately to A::a, so we only consider A::a[0]. Per [basic.def.odr](3.2)/2, the set of potential results of A::a[0] is empty, so A::a is odr-used by this expression.
Now, you could argue that we first rewrite A::a[0] to *(A::a + 0). But that changes nothing: the possible values of e are then
A::a
A::a + 0
(A::a + 0)
*(A::a + 0)
Of these, only the fourth has an lvalue-to-rvalue conversion applied to it, and again, [basic.def.odr](3.2)/2 says that the set of potential results of *(A::a + 0) is empty. In particular, note that array-to-pointer decay is not an lvalue-to-rvalue conversion ([conv.lval](4.1)), even though it converts an array lvalue to a pointer rvalue -- it's an array-to-pointer conversion ([conv.array](4.2)).
Second use of A::a:
int b [A::a[1]];
This is no different from the first case, according to the standard. Again, A::a[1] is a constant expression, thus this is a valid array bound, but a compiler is still permitted to emit code at runtime to compute this value, and the array bound still odr-uses A::a.
Note in particular that constant expressions are (by default) potentially-evaluated expressions. Per [basic.def.odr](3.2)/2:
An expression is potentially evaluated unless it is an unevaluated operand (Clause 5) or a subexpression thereof.
[expr](5)/8 just redirects us to other subclauses:
In some contexts, unevaluated operands appear (5.2.8, 5.3.3, 5.3.7, 7.1.6.2). An unevaluated operand is not evaluated.
These subclauses say that (respectively) the operand of some typeid expressions, the operand of sizeof, the operand of noexcept, and the operand of decltype are unevaluated operands. There are no other kinds of unevaluated operand.
Yes, A::a is odr-used.
In C++11, the relevant wording is 3.2p2 [basic.def.odr]:
[...] A variable whose name appears as a potentially-evaluated expression is odr-used unless it is an object that satisfies the requirements for appearing in a constant expression (5.19) and the lvalue-to-rvalue conversion (4.1) is immediately applied. [...]
The name of the variable A::a appears in the declaration int a = A::a[0], in the full-expression A::a[0], which is a potentially-evaluated expression. A::a is:
an object
that satisfies the requirements for appearing in a constant expression
However, the lvalue-to-rvalue conversion is not immediately applied to A::a; it is applied to the expression A::a[0]. Indeed, lvalue-to-rvalue conversion may not apply to an object of array type (4.1p1).
So A::a is odr-used.
Since C++11, the rules have been broadened somewhat. DR712 Are integer constant operands of a conditional-expression "used?" introduces the concept of the set of potential results of an expression, which allows expressions such as x ? S::a : S::b to avoid odr-use. However, while the set of potential results respects such operators as the conditional operator and comma operator, it does not respect indexing or indirection; so A::a is still odr-used in the current drafts for C++14 (n3936 as of date).
[I believe this is a condensed equivalent to Richard Smith's answer, which however does not mention the change since C++11.]
At When is a variable odr-used in C++14? we discuss this issue and possible wording changes to section 3.2 to allow indexing or indirecting an array to avoid odr-use.
No, it is not odr-used.
First, both your array and its elements are of literal type:
[C++11: 3.9/10]: A type is a literal type if it is:
a scalar type; or
a class type (Clause 9) with
a trivial copy constructor,
no non-trivial move constructor,
a trivial destructor,
a trivial default constructor or at least one constexpr constructor other than the copy or move constructor, and
all non-static data members and base classes of literal types; or
an array of literal type.
Now we look up the odr-used rules:
[C++11: 3.2/2]: [..] A variable or non-overloaded function whose name appears as a potentially-evaluated expression is odr-used unless it is an object that satisfies the requirements for appearing in a constant expression (5.19) and the lvalue-to-rvalue conversion (4.1) is immediately applied. [..]
And here we've been referred to the rules on constant expressions, which contain nothing prohibiting your initialiser from being a constant expression; the pertinent passages are:
[C++11: 5.19/2]: A conditional-expression is a constant expression unless it involves one of the following as a potentially evaluated subexpression [..]:
[..]
an lvalue-to-rvalue conversion (4.1) unless it is applied to
a glvalue of integral or enumeration type that refers to a non-volatile const object with a preceding initialization, initialized with a constant expression, or
a glvalue of literal type that refers to a non-volatile object defined with constexpr, or that refers to a sub-object of such an object, or
a glvalue of literal type that refers to a non-volatile temporary object initialized with a constant expression;
[..]
(Don't be put off by the name of the production, "conditional-expression": it is the only production of constant-expression and is thus the one we're looking for.)
Then, thinking about the equivalence of A::a[0] to *(A::a + 0), after the array-to-pointer conversion you have an rvalue:
[C++11: 4.2/1]: An lvalue or rvalue of type "array of N T" or "array of unknown bound of T" can be converted to a prvalue of type "pointer to T". The result is a pointer to the first element of the array.
Your pointer arithmetic is then performed on this rvalue and the result is also an rvalue, used to initialise a. No lvalue-to-rvalue conversion here whatsoever, so still nothing violating "the requirements for appearing in a constant expression".