[boost] Why max() and min() are not compile-time constants in the stdlib-supplied numeric_limits

From: scleary_at_[hidden]
Date: 1999-08-16 15:50:44

The question was raised a little while ago on this list why max() and min()
in the numeric_limits class were not compile-time constants.  The reason can
be found in the spec 9.4.2, paragraph 4, which states that a
constant-initializer may be provided only for a declaration of a static
const integral or static const enumeration type.  numeric_limits was
designed to also allow floating-point types, which cannot provide
compile-time constant max and min values.

        -Steve