RE: [boost] Boost.Format syntax

From: Stewart, Robert (stewart_at_[hidden])
Date: 2002-02-11 13:08:48

From: James Kanze [mailto:kanze_at_[hidden]]
> 
> There's not just a problem of code compatibility; there's user
> compatibility.  People know printf; any new format, they'd have to
> learn.  If there are strong reasons for abandonning printf 
> format, then
> it should certainly be done, but it shouldn't be done on a whim.

Don't lump everyone into the same state.  I've used printf() in the past,
but I never used it extensively, and I always had to look up anything but
the most basic format specifiers.  Even today, when I find it necessary to
use a printf() variant, I often try to use %i instead of %d for an integer.
There are increasing numbers of C++ programmers that have rarely or never
used printf(); they were weaned on IOStreams.

Given that by no means does everyone "know printf," abandoning print() is
not at all unreasonable, even on a whim.  (Ok, not just on a whim, but I
would have absolutely no problem with totally abandoning the printf() format
specifiers for something less cryptic, equally capable, with type safety.

Rob
Susquehanna International Group, LLP
http://www.sig.com