RE: [boost] Why is the variant class called "any" and not variant _t?

From: Moore, Paul (paul.moore_at_[hidden])
Date: 2001-01-17 04:13:39

From: Murray, Peter C [mailto:Peter.Murray_at_[hidden]]
> A quick question about "any".
> 
> Why is the proposed(?) "any" class called "any" and not 
> something clearer like variant_t?  Or am I misunderstanding
> its purpose?

A number of reasons (IMHO):

1. That's what Kevlin (the author) decided.
2. It's no less clear (as a name) than "variant": it's a type that can hold
"any" type of value. "Variant" implies that the type varies, for example.
3. It is *not* the same as a Microsoft variant (in subtle but important
ways[1]), so calling it "variant" is bound to confuse Windows users.

Paul.

[1] Read the documentation for the details.