Re: [boost] Inheriting shared_ptr

From: Greg Colvin (gcolvin_at_[hidden])
Date: 2000-08-29 19:41:57

From: Valentin Bonnard <Bonnard.V_at_[hidden]>
> Thomas Matelich wrote:
> 
> > <whine> I wanna inherit shared_ptr </whine>
> > 
> > Anyway, here's my situation, I'm writing a library for a simple plugin
> > architecture.  Objects can be created from classes in dynamic libraries
> > dynamically.  I want those objects to be shared_ptrs and be able to
> > construct themselves. 
> 
> I don't understand.
> 
> > I think this qualifies as an isa relationship.
> > In general, their only purpose is to be used like a shared_ptr.
> > 
> > So, is shared_ptr always going to use private for share and have no
> > virtual destructor, 
> 
> Please explain why you think it should expose its implementation 
> details and why it should have a virtual destructor.
> 
> > or is this matter up for discussion?
> 
> We can discuss it, but I think I know the outcome.

I wouldn't be so sure.

We've been considering an improvement to shared_ptr to
add template constructors parameterized on a function
or functor that does the deletion.  We can arrange it
so that type of shared_ptr(T*) is the same as the type
of shared_ptr(T*,deleter), which might provide for the
sort of polymorphism Thomas wants.  I'll take this
thread as motivation to write the idea up in more
detail.