Re: [boost] Permanently retire VC++ 6?

From: David Abrahams (dave_at_[hidden])
Date: 2005-12-05 14:45:46

"Reece Dunn" <msclrhd_at_[hidden]> writes:

> David Abrahams wrote:
>>"Reece Dunn" <msclrhd_at_[hidden]> writes:
>>
>> > It may be useful to have 3 levels of support:
>> > *  officially supported (e.g. CodeWarrior 9.x, gcc, VC8) - compilers 
>>that
>> > Boost is expected to work with;
>> > *  not officially supported (e.g. VC6, BCB) - some libraries may work, 
>>but
>> > there is no requirement to support these compilers;
>>
>>Sounds good, but I'd like to know, as a practical matter, what the
>>difference between these two is.  Less pressure on developers to
>>support the 2nd category?
>
> The first would mean that Boost guarantees support for the specified 
> compiler/version.

What does that mean?  Every developer is obligated to make his library
work on that compiler?  That would be unprecedented (though not out of
the question).

> The second (possibly with a better name) would mean that there is limited 
> support. That is:
> *  less pressure (or none for VC6 ;)) on developers to support it (as you 
> mention);
> *  no requirement to fix regressions for that toolset (although it might be 
> useful for the users to see the regression results for these compilers so 
> they know what libraries will work).
>
>> > *  not supported (e.g. OpenWatcom) - these haven't been tested for and 
>>do
>> > not have any Boost.Config/workaround magic to support them.
>> >
>> > It may also be useful to make Boost.Config issue a warning that 
>>compilers
>> > like BCB and VC6 are not officially supported if they are removed from 
>>the
>> > supported list.
>>
>><shiver> Wouldn't people hate us for adding diagnostics?
>
> I don't know. Don't Boost.Python and Boost.Serialize produce 
> warnings/notifications if they aren't configured properly?

Boost.Python produces one during the boost install/build process if it
isn't going to be built.  No diagnostics are intentionally issued from
within headers.

-- 
Dave Abrahams
Boost Consulting
www.boost-consulting.com