[boost] Re: Policy or Trait?

From: Andy Little (andy_at_[hidden])
Date: 2004-04-02 04:41:21

"Rob Stewart" <stewart_at_[hidden]> wrote in message
news:200404012013.i31KDOP25003_at_entwistle.systems.susq.com...
> Recent messages in the thread, "Numeric conversions lib
> comments," involve questions regarding what is a trait and what
> is a policy.

A trait is a part of the definition of an entity.
A policy is applied to an entity to modify a trait or traits of the entity.

Shorter Oxford English Dictionary (abbreviated)
"
Policy

1 A constitution,polity. (Now rare or obsolete)
2. Government, administration; political science. -1796
3. Political sagacity; statecraft ; diplomacy; in bad sense, political
cunning.(Late middle english)
4. In reference to conduct or act generally: prudent, expedient , or
advantageous course of action; as a quality of the agent: sagacity,
shrewdness, artfulness; in bad sense, cunning, craftiness.(Late middle
english). A device , expedient contrivance; a crafty device, stratagem,
trick -1849.
5. A course of action adopted and pursued by a government, party, ruler or
statesman, etc; any course of action adopted as advantageous or expedient.
(The chief living sense). (Late midle english).

Trait

1. Shot of any kind.
2. A stroke made with pen or pencil; a short line; a touch(in a picture)
1589.
3. a line or lineament of the face; a feature 1773. ("Here face is somewhat
altered. The traits have become more delicate" Shelley)
4. A distinguishing quality; a characteristic 1752.
4b A 'touch' of some quality (Now rare 1815)
5 A stroke or flash of wit, sarcasm or pleasantry -1859
"

regards

Andy Little