Interest in a library for type-safe bitwise operations?

From: tobi_at_[hidden]
Date: 2024-03-23 07:02:43

Hi,

I would like to gauge interest in a library that makes the usage of 
flag-like enumerations safer.
The library is called Boost.Flags, and its key features are

- provides type-safe bitwise operations for flag-like scoped / unscoped 
enumerations
- turns undetected logical errors into type errors

Further characteristics are

- non-intrusive - only a function overload or a template specialization 
required to opt-in
- single header-file library
- no dependencies (only standard-library includes)
- everything is constexpr
- zero-overhead in optimized builds
- requires at least C++11, uses newer features if available

 From the Boost.Flags documentation:

>   Why do we use the bits of integer types for Boolean options?
> 
>   - easy to define, e.g. as macros, integer constants or enumerators
>   - language support for setting and querying through bitwise operators
>   - compact representation in memory
>   - simple bulk transfer in interfaces (on many platforms an int can 
> hold up to 32 different Boolean options)
>   - enforces the usage of names, especially to prevent bool parameters 
> in interfaces:
>   - "Boolean arguments loudly declare that the function does more than 
> one thing. They are confusing and should be eliminated." [C. Martin, 
> Clean Code]

But C++ already has everything to work with integer-based flags, so why 
do we need Boost.Flags?

The answer is type-safety!

With integer-based flags we can do too much.
E.g. when there are multiple different integer-based flag sets, nothing 
prevents the programmer from accidentally mixing flags from unrelated 
flag-sets. And of course, there are problems with the bitwise negation 
operator~. If you want to know, what possibly could go wrong, read the 
docs.

The Github page: https://github.com/tobias-loew/flags
The online docs: https://tobias-loew.github.io/flags
Example on Godbolt: https://godbolt.org/z/qbojncnd7

I am looking forward to your comments!

Tobias