Re: [boost] [gsoc] Boost.Process done

Subject: Re: [boost] [gsoc] Boost.Process done
From: Stewart, Robert (Robert.Stewart_at_[hidden])
Date: 2010-09-07 06:45:27

Boris Schaeling wrote:
> On Mon, 06 Sep 2010 03:07:26 +0200, Stewart, Robert
> <Robert.Stewart_at_[hidden]> wrote:
>
> >> Shall we use a bool to indicate whether an input or output
> >> stream is configured or something else like an enumeration? I
> >> think it all depends on how many developers want to define
> >> new stream behaviors and if it's worth to make the signature
> >> a bit more self-explanatory?
> >
> > bool is never a good idea for such arguments, regardless of the
> > possibility of extending the set.
>
> It smells a bit like over-engineering to me but then I don't
> really mind to change it. More opinions?

As I noted in the snipped portion of my reply, why would anyone associate true (or false) with input and the other with output?  bools are great when a value or argument is, itself, a Boolean quantity, but when they are used to represent non-Boolean quantities, there is no association possible beyond rote memorization.

Besides, removing doubt and adding clarity is hardly over-engineering.

_____
Rob Stewart                           robert.stewart_at_[hidden]
Software Engineer, Core Software      using std::disclaimer;
Susquehanna International Group, LLP  http://www.sig.com

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