[20k]

char8_t also isn't guaranteed to be 8-bits, because sizeof(char) == 1 and sizeof(char8_t) >= 1. On a platform where char is 16 bits, char8_t will be 16 bits as well

The cpp standard explicitly says that it has the same size, typed, signedness and alignment as unsigned char, but its a distinct type. So its pretty useless, and badly named

[1718627440]

Wouldn't it be rather the case that char8_t just wouldn't exist on that platform? At least that's the case with the uintN_t types, they are just not available everywhere. If you want something that is always available you need to use uintN_least_t or uintN_fast_t.

[jjmarr]

wtf

[josefx]

It is pretty consistent. It is part of the C Standard and a feature meant to make string handling better, it would be crazy if it wasn't a complete clusterfuck.