Re: Thoughts on Format

From: bill_kempf (williamkempf_at_[hidden])
Date: 2002-01-31 13:54:11

--- In boost_at_y..., Darin Adler <darin_at_b...> wrote:
> On 1/31/02 9:53 AM, "bill_kempf" <williamkempf_at_h...> wrote:
> 
> > I've never encountered a situation where a translator would need 
to specify
> > any formatting information, and so including it in the string 
makes the
> > translator's job more difficult.
> 
> OK that makes sense.
> 
> I would strive for a design where formatting that might need 
localization
> goes into the string. It seems nice to be able to keep other 
formatting
> details that will not need localization out of the string.
> 
> I guess you're just saying that the change that formatting will need
> localization is close to zero.

At least in my experience.  I'm not steadfast against including 
syntax to allow it in the string, but I doubt I'd ever use it and 
think it's important that the design not require it.  In other words, 
like I said before (though maybe was clear), I think including printf 
type specifiers is a huge mistake, and including other formatting 
specifications should be considered carefully.  In most cases the 
only thing I find missing is positional parameters.  Otherwise 
iostreams outshine printf and all it's warts in every possible way 
(well, performance is another issue, but hopefully implementers will 
find a way to fix this as well).

Bill Kempf