The signature of the emplace_back method for std::vector has been updated to return a reference: template< class... Args > constexpr reference emplace_back( Args&&... args ); While I can find many (older) posts on why this isn't needed or even a bad design I cannot find sources on the rationale for the change. Why did this update happen? If the apparent "gives an easier to use interfece" holds, why didn't push_back get an update as well? Doesn't it complicate exception-safety requirements by complicating the interface? I'm also searching for the paper that introduced the change, if you could point me to it, it would be appreciated.

New emplace_back signature

The signature of the emplace_back method for std::vector has been updated to return a reference:

template< class... Args >
constexpr reference emplace_back( Args&&... args );

While I can find many (older) posts on why this isn't needed or even a bad design I cannot find sources on the rationale for the change.

Why did this update happen? If the apparent "gives an easier to use interfece" holds, why didn't push_back get an update as well?
Doesn't it complicate exception-safety requirements by complicating the interface?

I'm also searching for the paper that introduced the change, if you could point me to it, it would be appreciated.