Re: [boost] Koenig lookup, names in std:: - Summary

From: Jens Maurer (Jens.Maurer_at_[hidden])
Date: 2001-01-24 14:29:11

"Moore, Paul" wrote:
> 1. Should Boost libraries only look in std:: for functions specified in the
> standard?

No.

This prevents standard-compliant extension by user-defined types.  When we
have more numeric types which build on one another (matrix<rational<bigint> > >),
extensibility will become important.

> 2. As an alternative, should Boost libraries use Koenig lookup 

Yes.

As a workaround for compilers without Koenig lookup, the relevant
functions can be duplicated in namespace boost with appropriate
inline overloads which delegate to std::.  Of course, you have to
prevent multiple definition, which means you need a separate header
file for that.    See my suggestion in the thread
"Big checkin, lots of fixes".

> 4. Specific to the rational library, would anyone have any strong objections
> if I were to implement abs() without using an existing abs() function on the
> underlying integer type?

No objection.

Jens Maurer