C++26: The Unnamed Placeholder `_` Arrives

2025-01-11

C++26 introduces a game-changing feature: the unnamed placeholder `_`. This solves a long-standing annoyance in C++: handling unused variables. Previously, developers needed `[[maybe_unused]]` or `std::ignore` to avoid compiler warnings, especially with structured bindings. The `_` placeholder can be declared multiple times without conflict and implicitly has the `[[maybe_unused]]` attribute, simplifying code and improving readability. This feature is already implemented in GCC 14 and Clang 18.