Re: [boost] [Release 1.34] Supported Compilers

From: Jeff Garland (jeff_at_[hidden])
Date: 2006-01-31 09:47:15

On Tue, 31 Jan 2006 08:36:08 +0000 (UTC), AlisdairM wrote

A couple thoughts:

> Jeff Garland wrote:
> 
> > I understand, but that just means 1.34 will be delayed for fixes to
> > these outdated relics and new lousy compilers.  We would be better
> > making a clean break now and letting folks with old compilers stick
> > with 1.33.1.
> 
> That is harsh for Borland users.
> The new compiler was released AFTER 1.33.1, with which needs to 
> update several workarounds and then config file before compiling as 
> well as BCB6.

I'm ok with supporting the new Borland compiler if we get someone to
regression test it.
 
> I will happily assist library maintainers hunting down and 
> eradicating support for older Borland compilers, so long as the most 
> recent is supported (until such time that 'most recent' is 
> reasonably conforming and no longer auto-deprecated when a new 
> compiler is released)

I don't see the issue this way.  The main problem for library authors is that
any new code changes might break the fragile workarounds that keep regression
tests working for Borland.  Then a note needs to go in some documentation to
explain this feature isn't available, etc. So with every change we are
'walking on eggshells'.  It's this time that I want poured into new library
development instead.  

>Borland is still a moving target.  The IS no supported version of boost
>for the current compiler, and if support is dropped now there will
>never be one.

I don't agree.  If at some future point Borland comes up with a new compiler
that is better I think we would welcome it and support it vigorously.

Jeff