[boost] Re: Re: Formal Review: FOREACH macro

From: Arkadiy Vertleyb (vertleyb_at_[hidden])
Date: 2005-05-01 00:08:39

"Iain K. Hanson" <ikh_at_[hidden]> wrote

> Yes, but until now boosters have kept PP to the implementation of
libraries
> not pushing it out into user code. And PP does obscifate code for those
> of us that like to look at the implementation of libraries in order to
learn.

Generating preprocessed code might help.

> I have a great deal of respect for the PP authors/mainters but it is still
> textual substitution so why not awk or python scripts.

Because the preprocessor is built in, which means no external tools is
required.

> > Code generation will be here, like it or not.  You don't like macros,
but
> > what's the alternative?  MFC wizards?  IDL?
>
> Yes, but I thought boost was about quality C++ libraries and showing best
> C++ practice.

And, I hope, it is.  However, what is "best C++ practice"?  C++ is a
multi-paradigm language, and it enabes variety of techniques.  IMO this is a
strength of C++, and this is what makes it fun, as opposed to some other,
very popular, languages.  I would even say this is _the_ strength of C++.
So making best of these techniques is what makes best C++ practice.

IMHO.

Regards,
Arkadiy