RE: [boost] Re: Design for a file system library

From: Stewart, Robert (stewart_at_[hidden])
Date: 2002-03-08 11:43:49

From: Rainer Deyke [mailto:root_at_[hidden]]
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jan Langer" <jan_at_[hidden]>
> To: <boost_at_[hidden]>
> Sent: Thursday, March 07, 2002 2:28 PM
> 
> > actually i want no root_directory () function at all, but a
> > hierarchy_iterator returning '/' for posix as a single element and
> all
> > drive letters beginning with 'a:' (if it exists) for win.
> 
> That would mean that recursive iteration will find printers under UNIX
> (/dev/*) but not under Windows (where they are not under any drive
> letter).  Is this intentional?

Since printers and other devices appear in the filesystem as files, yes,
they should be accessible via such iteration.  A *nix developer should be
able to get to everything in their filesystem.

The question becomes whether a Windows developer should have access to all
of the things that can appear in "Desktop" or whether this library should
restrict itself to files and directories.  I don't think non-file,
non-directory objects should be accessible via a directory_iterator.

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