Re: [boost] Propose adding Clone Smart Pointer (clone_ptr) to the boostlibrary

From: Philippe Mori (philippe_mori_at_[hidden])
Date: 2005-08-16 18:35:56

>
> I've developed a clone_ptr class that performs a clone of an abstract 
> pointer without the need
> for a clone method.
>

How can you correctly do a clone when an interface does not have a clone 
method and you don't know the concrete type ?

Also, what do you provide for class that have a clone method that is named 
differently (Clone is another often used function name at least in Active X 
(COM) programming)

> See following link for more info:
> http://code.axter.com/clone_ptr_introduction.htm
>

Well, some functions are not exception safe or does not follows accepted 
rules like the one in (More) Exceptional C++ books. In particular, it is 
generally not safe to destroy an object and construct another one. What will 
happen if the object cannot be constructed and the original object is 
already destroyed. Will you have a clone_ptr that reference an invalid 
object.

Philippe