[boost] [range] boost::end("hello") is sub-optimal

From: Eric Niebler (eric_at_[hidden])
Date: 2005-12-31 01:15:39

There is a bug in Boost.Range that is causing boost::end() to execute a 
slower code path when called with a string literal. The type of "hello" 
is char const [6], and end() should be O(1). Indeed, Boost.Range has 
code to handle just this case, but it never gets called. The problem is 
the way overload resolution happens between these two functions

    template< typename T, std::size_t sz >
    const T* boost_range_end( const T (&array)[sz] )

    const char* boost_range_end( const char* s )

The first is O(1) and the second is O(N) becuase it calls strlen. But 
the second will always be chosen because non-templates are preferred 
over templates.

-- 
Eric Niebler
Boost Consulting
www.boost-consulting.com