Re: [boost] Traits-based design and ODR

From: Beman Dawes (bdawes_at_[hidden])
Date: 2002-04-30 07:16:39

At 07:14 PM 4/29/2002, Andrei Alexandrescu wrote:

 >... The documentation for a policy-based smart pointer could simply
 >say that the recommended type for interfaces is the smart_ptr with
 >all defaulted policies. This documentation is nicely supported by
 >the code itself...

That appeals to me; it is a simple, understandable solution and eliminates 
the need (and possible resulting confusion) for a second named smart 
pointer.

It has implications, however, for the choice of defaults.

I skimmed MC++D quickly, but couldn't find your rationale for choice of 
defaults.  I'm assuming it was something like "the safest, most commonly 
needed for a wide range of general uses."

Instead, defaults would have to be chosen as "the most widely useful for 
interfacing between libraries."

Now it may be that these two criteria result in the same set of 
defaults.  But you need to review your choice of defaults to make sure that 
is the case.

--Beman