Re: [boost] [Serialization] why operator &()?

From: Vladimir Prus (ghost_at_[hidden])
Date: 2005-10-14 04:26:44

Jim Hyslop wrote:

> I've been looking at the serialization library (nice work, Robert) and I
> have a question. I searched the archives and didn't see any discussion
> on this, and I'm sorry I missed all the pre-approval discussion, or I
> would have said something sooner.
> 
> What is the rationale behind using 'operator &()' to mean 'serialize
> this item?'
> 
> I find a statement like 'ar & member1;' to be very non-intuitive: how
> does bitwise-and relate to serialization?
> 
> It seems to me that most sensible code guidelines admonish against this
> kind of operator abuse (pardon my bluntness, but that's what it is when
> you get down to it).

What other operator would you suggest?

 - "<<" is not good because the library can not just save,
   but also load data
 - ">>" is not good for the same reason
 - Writing

        a.serialize(member1).serialize(member2)

   is very inconvenient.

- Volodya