LWG reaction: Type Traits

From: Beman Dawes (bdawes_at_[hidden])
Date: 2001-10-31 08:56:00

Various Boost libraries were proposed to the C++ standards committee's 
Library Working Group (LWG) at the Redmond meeting for inclusion in the 
upcoming Library Technical Report (TR). What follows is my recollection of 
the reaction from the LWG.

One question which came up was "are type traits useful?".  (Remember that a 
few of the LWG members are authors, educators, or others who may not be 
familiar with the needs of generic programming.)  That question was easily 
dealt with, as many LWG members could explain the usefulness and need for 
type traits based on first hand experience.

Another question was "is this the best type traits library?"  Someone asked 
about Andrei Alexandrescu's type traits (See his "Modern C++ Design" book). 
Andrei was present and said that he supports the Boost Type Traits 
proposal.  He would like to see a few additional traits added.

I raised the point that a few of the traits require compiler support. This 
did not seem to scare people off, although it should be noted that the LWG 
doesn't include the compiler people, who tend to be members of the Core 
Working Group.  I had private conversations with a couple of the compiler 
folks; they don't seem to see the need for compiler support as a major 
stumbling block.

While it is still very early in the process, it looks to me like the Boost 
Type Traits are on track for eventual inclusion in the TR.

--Beman