Re: [boost] [serialization] a pattern for serialization and plugins

From: Vladimir Prus (ghost_at_[hidden])
Date: 2005-09-28 06:08:55

Thomas Conway wrote:

> Hi all,
> 
> I'm trying to use the serialization library for the first time and I'm
> wondering if there is an extant solution for the problem I'm trying to
> solve.
> 
> I have an application which has dynamicly loaded plugin modules. The
> application structure is something like:
> 
> main app:
> ----
> class base
> {
>    ...
>    template <class Archive>
>    void serialize(Archive& pAr, unsigned int pVer)

> };

> plugin:
> ----
> 
> class myPluginN : public base
> {
>    ...
>    template <class Archive>
>    void serialize(Archive& pAr, unsigned int pVer)

> };

In order for this to work, you need to add

   BOOST_CLASS_EXPORT(myPluginN);

to the source of your plugin. In the same source file you need to include
headers for several of archive headers. As a result, this derived class
will be registered with that archives and you can use those archives in
your main applications to load and save instances of the derived class.

I'd recomment #including headers for polymorphic_iarchive and
polymorphic_oarchive, and using those archive in your application. This
will reduce code bloat and make sure your plugins will work with any
existing or future archive types (they all can be wrapped in
polymorphic_{i,o}archive.

- Volodya