Re: [boost] Boost.Threads, N2178, N2184, et al

From: Eric Niebler (eric_at_[hidden])
Date: 2007-03-19 17:49:18

Personal opinion follows ...

Peter Dimov wrote:
> Hello everyone,
> 
> I'd like to start working on a Boost implementation of my threading proposal 
> N2178:
> 
> http://www.open-std.org/jtc1/sc22/wg21/docs/papers/2007/n2178.html
> 
> but, as you'll see if you take a look at it, it differs from the current 
> Boost.Threads and Howard Hinnant's competing N2184 in a number of important 
> places, and having two competing libraries in Boost that do the same thing 
> may not be a good idea.

Boost is many things, but one of them is an incubator for std libraries 
and new technologies. Put it in namespace boost::n2178, or something. No 
problem.

> So what would be the best way to proceed? 

Go for it. Put it in boost-sandbox, encourage people to use it, and get 
it in the review queue. Trust in the peer-review process. Eventually, 
we'll have a standard threading library, which might be some mashup of 
boost::threads, Howard's proposal and yours. And even that would not be 
reason enough to stop trying to innovate. Boost is a good place for that.

My $0.02.

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