Re: [boost] [filesystem] Function name changes

From: Beman Dawes (bdawes_at_[hidden])
Date: 2008-07-04 16:34:53

Vladimir Prus wrote:
> Beman Dawes wrote:

>> Trying to put that all together:
>>
>> * Change branch()   to  parent_path()
>> * Change leaf()     to  file_name()
> 
> Why is "file" there? Path of "a/b/c" can refer to either file,
> or directory.

A directory is just one particular type of file.

Boost.Filesystem has always followed the POSIX definition of "File":

"An object that can be written to, or read from, or both. A file has 
certain attributes, including access permissions and type. File types 
include regular file, character special file, block special file, FIFO 
special file, symbolic link, socket, and directory. Other types of files 
may be supported by the implementation."

> Does "file" bring undesired connotation that the
> path refers to file?

That's what paths do. Refer to files.

>> * Change basename() to  stem()
>> * extension()  remains  extension()
> 
> 'stem' is linguistic term, whereas 'extension' is not. To be
> consistent, it's better to use 'suffix', not 'extension'. Furthermore,
> I do think we need to pay attention to Qt's suffix vs. completeSuffix
> distinction -- it seems useful one.

The term "filename extension" is well established. See 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filename_extension or google for "file 
extension".

--Beman