Re: [boost] Design for a file system library

From: Vladimir Prus (ghost_at_[hidden])
Date: 2002-02-26 04:29:58

Beman Dawes wrote:
> I've written a design document for a file system library. See
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/boost/files/filesystem/filesystem_library_des
>ign.htm
>
> It is still rough, but should serve to focus discussions.
>
> Comments appreciated.

The first thing is that it would be great to have some base filesystem class 
which can be used to access different fs types. This would allow, for 
example, accessing regular filesystem and HTTP/WebDAV server in a uniform 
manner;

    void do_something(const URL& url) 
    {
        file_system* fs;
        if (url.scheme == "file")
                fs  = new posix_file_system(....);
        if (url.scheme == "http")
                fs = new http_file_system(....);
        // do something with fs.
     }

This will be impossible without a base class.

And a minor question: path operations include "stripping a leaf", which is 
not the same as getting a parent. Is it possible to start with

   foobar

and the get parent two time, to end up with:

  ".."

Looks like no. And getting parent directory is a reasonable operation.

- Volodya