Re: [boost] Re: Proposal: static_string library

From: Terje Slettebø (tslettebo_at_[hidden])
Date: 2003-03-06 16:03:40

>From: "Phil Nash" <phil.nash.lists_at_[hidden]>

> > Robert Klarer wrote:
> > > The syntax for declaring a static_string is unfortunate, but once it
has
> > > been declared, a static_string's interface is (almost*) the same as
that
> > > of a const std::string.
> > Yes, you right it's unfortunate and IMHO is not appropriate for a wide
> use.
> >
> > >    typedef boost::static_string<'s', 't', 'a', 't', 'i', 'c', '_'>
> > > StrType1;
> >
> I have to admit I like the idea of having a std::string interface without
> the overhead of dynamic allocation.

Well, you could get that using ordinary string types, as well, e.g.:

template<class CharType,int Size>
class fixed_size_string
{
  // ...

private:
    CharType array[Size];
};

However, one thing the static_string may be used for, is for compile-time
computations, including passing it around as a template parameter, as shown
in the OP. The interface is rather inconvenient, though. I played some
around with this about half a year ago, too
(http://article.gmane.org/gmane.comp.lib.boost.devel/3032). However, I
didn't pursue it, because of the difficult way of specifying strings.

> My biggest reservation would by the char-only restriction...

You could also use wchar_t, of course, or any fundamental type, if that's
what you mean?

Regards,

Terje