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From: John Torjo (john.lists_at_[hidden])
Date: 2004-09-05 08:29:00


Jonathan Wakely wrote:

> On Fri, Sep 03, 2004 at 10:16:39AM +0200, Thorsten Ottosen wrote:
>
>
>>Dear all,
>>
>>John Torjo asks why don't rename the Range concepts empty() function to the more idiomatic and less embarrassing
>>name is_empty()?
>>
>>My initial thoughts were if this could ceate more confusion, but I'm beginning to think John is right.
>>
>>So if people would cast some yes or no votes it would be great.
>
>
> Hmm ... the function takes its argument by const-reference, so it's
> "obvious" it doesn't empty the range if you've seen the function
> declaration. (But anything "obvious" will fail to be obvious to
> some people).
>
> Although it would be nice if the STL had used is_empty() it's too late
> to change that now, and Boost's web site does say:
>
> The emphasis is on libraries which work well with the C++ Standard
> Library.

And how would range lib not work well with STL from this point of view?

>
> I think consistency with the existing name is important.
>

I'm all for consistency myself, but keeping up a bad standard, while
many experts say the name is wrong, is just perpetuating bad practice.

Best,
John

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