RE: [boost] Interesting Boost Implementation Details?

From: Brian Braatz (brianb_at_[hidden])
Date: 2005-01-06 18:20:18

> -----Original Message-----
> On Behalf Of David Abrahams
> 
> I'll be giving two talks at SD West in March, one about template
> metaprogramming, and another called "Inside the Boost Libraries,"
where
> I plan to discuss some of the more interesting Boost internals.  You
can
> see a synopsis at
> http://www.cmpevents.com/SDw5/a.asp?option=G&V=3&id=271893
> 
> I'm trying to decide exactly what to cover there.  I've listed some of
> my ideas below, but I'm obviously not familiar with the entire Boost
> codebase, so I thought I'd solicit suggestions.  Thoughts, anyone?
> 
> My ideas:
> 
> * Discuss the design of shared_ptr/weak_ptr.  While not exactly an
> implementation technique, the design is fiendishly clever and worth
> exploring.
> 
> * The use of template-generated polymorphism in Boost.Function to
combat
> virtual function bloat
> 
> * The way that Boost.MPL uses partial specialization on template
> template parameters to peel apart lambda expressions and turn them
into
> metafunction classes.
> 
> * Something Boost.Python does to avoid doing dynamic lookup of
argument
> converters based on parameter types for each wrapped call.
> 
> * Something Boost.Python does to dynamically build a chain of
exception
> handlers.
> 
> * ... your ideas here ... :)

[Brian Braatz] 
I am biased because I am going to be attending both of those :)

My thoughts are also biased because, currently, boost.lambda has been
the focus of my attention recently. (it is also currently my "favorite
boost library of the month")

Suggestion:
        Take Lambda and tear it apart and show how it works. This might
be a good subject matter to keep a consistent topic as a foundation for
covering techniques.

The other thing you could do, is borrow the structure of your book, and
use the same structure for the lecture. This way the attendees could
then get your book, and have a consistency from the lecture to the book.