Re: Koenig lookup, names in std:: - Summary

From: William Kempf (sirwillard_at_[hidden])
Date: 2001-01-24 10:44:37

--- In boost_at_[hidden], "Moore, Paul" <paul.moore_at_u...> wrote:
> I think the various issues which have come up in the course of my 
recent
> changes to rational.hpp could do with a summary. I believe that the 
issues
> are:

[snip]
 
> As a consequence of these issues, there are a number of questions 
to be
> answered. What I'd like to do is to ask the questions, then collect 
any
> comments over a period, and then come to a decision for the rational
> library. I propose to wait until mid next week (the end of the 
month, for a
> specific date) and then collate any replies.
> 
> Questions
> ---------
> 
> 1. Should Boost libraries only look in std:: for functions 
specified in the
> standard? This effectively requires users of the libraries to 
overload names
> in std::, and prejudges the committee's decision on issue (2) above.

[snip]

There is an alternative, that won't require injecting overloads in 
std::.  Provide an alternative in namespace boost.  This alternative 
can use Koenig lookup for compilers that support it, and can be 
overloaded for compilers that don't.  Overloading in the boost 
namespace won't result in violation of the standard, though the same 
(theoretical) problems could occur there.  I'm not sure this buys us 
anything other than strict adherence to the standard, so I won't 
recommend it over simply injecting overloads into namespace std 
myself, but if strict adherence is the goal this alternative might be 
considered.

Bill Kempf