Re: [boost] Array support [was SmartPtr (Loki) - auto_ptr/move c'tor issue]

From: Howard Hinnant (hinnant_at_[hidden])
Date: 2003-02-02 21:46:02

On Sunday, February 2, 2003, at 03:48  PM, Beman Dawes wrote:

> Here is the problem:
>
>    If T is not an array, the interface must supply:
>
>        T& operator*() const;
>        T* operator->() const;
>
>    If T is an array && conversion to T* is not desired, the
>    interface must supply:
>
>        T& operator[](size_t i) const;
>
>    If conversion to T* is desired, the interface must supply:
>
>        operator T*() const;
>
> In other words, there are four interface combinations:
>
>    When T is not an array && conversion to T* is not desired:
>
>        T& operator*() const;
>        T* operator->() const;
>
>    When T is not an array && conversion to T* is desired:
>
>        T& operator*() const;
>        T* operator->() const;
>        operator T*() const;
>
>    When T is an array && conversion to T* is not desired:
>
>        T& operator[](size_t i) const;
>
>    When T is an array && conversion to T* is desired:
>
>        operator T*() const;

Could someone review the motivations for wanting an implicit conversion 
to T* ?  I'm failing to come up with any myself.

Thanks,
-Howard