Re: [boost] Expectations for CVS main branch

From: Douglas Gregor (gregod_at_[hidden])
Date: 2002-11-09 16:27:16

On Saturday 09 November 2002 02:22 pm, Victor A. Wagner, Jr. wrote:
> Maybe it's my expectations that are out of whack.
> Are there any rules for what's "commit"ed to the CVS main branch?

There are no rules. The CVS trunk (main branch) is for Boost development. We 
try to keep it stable (because many users and developers seem to work out of 
CVS), but sometimes things break.

> things I've found:
> 1) the documentation main page still has  ???, 2002 - Version 1.29.0
> on it.  Is this really the latest?  how can we tell??

The CVS trunk is the latest (unreleased, experimental) code. 

> 2) regex doesn't compile on vc7

Please report any errors either to the list or to the library author directly 
so that they can be fixed.

> 3) function causes errors throughout boost (and _really_ unfortunately in
> my projects for work which make use of multi_array)

This is also for VC7? If so, it's fixed now.

> So, I guess the question I really have is:
> Are there any expectations of stability for the mainline?
>    If so, what are they?

The mainline is generally stable. However, if you are using a compiler that 
often requires workarounds, the incidence rate of brokenness will probably 
increase. (For instance, I don't have access to VC7, so I have to wait until 
someone complains or I get regression test results before I can fix a 
VC7-specific problem)

>    else what expectations do the developers have that anyone will bother
> testing any of their changes?

If it's in a regression test, there are usually results available within a 
day. Obviously we like to see users and other developers using/testing the 
development versions of libraries so that we can get feedback sooner.

> am I wasting my time attempting to build and use the mainline CVS branch
> every day?

That depends: if you report any problems you find when trying to use Boost 
from CVS, so that we can fix the problems, then you're helping Boost become a 
better library and I don't believe that's a waste of time. If you'd rather 
not deal with submitting bug reports, then perhaps it is a wste of time for 
you to use Boost from CVS, but we appreciate the help navigating the 
minefield of compiler brokenness.

        Doug