Re: [boost] Clang: Open-source C/C++ front end under development

From: Chris Lattner (clattner_at_[hidden])
Date: 2007-09-03 12:48:02

On Sep 3, 2007, at 4:47 AM, Andrew Sutton wrote:
>> Hmm, I wouldn't consider renaming a function a simple
>> transformation, really.
>> Consider overloading. You have to do full overload resolution (one
>> of the
>> most complex things in C++) in order to figure out whether a name  
>> in a
>> given function call needs to be changed or not.
>
> Renaming the function is simple. Ensuring that you're avoiding name
> conflicts can be more difficult. Propagating the change requires a
> lot more work. It's also requires knowledge beyond what a compiler
> can give you since changes may be required in multiple translation
> units.

The standard definitions of Refactoring typically does include  
verifying and ensuring that renames a) properly obey scope and other  
language rules and b) don't conflict with other names in any other  
scope.  Refactoring does require processing multiple translation  
units in most cases, I'm not sure why you'd assume it doesn't.

Note specifically that 'sed' does not qualify as a refactoring tool -  
you have to do a lot more semantic analysis of the program to do  
refactoring safely.

-Chris