[boost] About proto [was: Question about submission process]

From: Eric Niebler (eric_at_[hidden])
Date: 2007-04-02 13:16:01

Matthias Schabel wrote:
>> be put in the queue? I'd like to get my expression template library
>> (Proto) in the queue, and considering how deep the queue is at the
>> moment, I think I'll have plenty of time to finish the docs before the
>> review happens.
> 
> Is this something similar to Daixtrose? If so, I'd be very interested  
> in trying it out - I have a number of classes that I've been wanting  
> to add expression templates to but have not been able to find the  
> time. It sounds like it is in at least beta shape - where does it  
> live now?

Proto aims to be more that an ET framework. It's a domain-specific 
embedded language framework. In addition to ET building and evaluation 
capabilities (which is what Daixtrose does, IIUC), Proto provides 
facilities for building DSEL grammars. You can use the grammars to 
control operator overloading and, more importantly, for building tree 
transforms. Think of Proto as the compile-time equivalent of Spirit, 
where Proto's tree transforms are like Spirit's semantic actions.

Proto is more than in beta shape. The code is done, and is being heavily 
used by Xpressive, and by Spirit2 and Karma (in development). The docs, 
which need work, are available here: 
http://boost-sandbox.sourceforge.net/libs/proto/doc/html/. The code is 
in boost cvs HEAD at $BOOST_ROOT/boost/xpressive/proto.

I will be talking about Proto at BoostCon. Have you signed up yet? 
<nudge> http://www.boostcon.com

-- 
Eric Niebler
Boost Consulting
www.boost-consulting.com