Re: [boost] Policy-based designs considered harmful?

From: Peter Dimov (pdimov_at_[hidden])
Date: 2002-01-21 11:43:46

From: "David Abrahams" <david.abrahams_at_[hidden]>
> This really seems like a specious argument. The same problem holds for any
> generic component, doesn't it?

No, not exactly.

A generic component, such as std::vector<T, A>, only needs to be tested with
suitable T and A that verify it's working properly w.r.t. the requirements
it imposes on T and A, because std::vector's behavior is, in most part,
independent of T and A.

This corresponds to b), testing SmartPtr with user-supplied policies.

In addition, the predefined policies need to be tested as well. This can be
done policy by policy if each policy has a formal specification and their
behavior is not affected by the parent SmartPtr (which implies no
interaction between policies.)

--
Peter Dimov
Multi Media Ltd.