Re: [boost] [Config] Multiple versions of Boost

Subject: Re: [boost] [Config] Multiple versions of Boost
From: David Abrahams (dave_at_[hidden])
Date: 2008-09-15 13:49:10

on Sun Sep 14 2008, Stefan Seefeld <seefeld-AT-sympatico.ca> wrote:

> David Abrahams wrote:
>> on Sat Sep 13 2008, Stefan Seefeld <seefeld-AT-sympatico.ca> wrote:
>>
>>   
>>> David Abrahams wrote:
>>>     
>>>> I don't know if anyone at Boost has taken the time to solve the problem
>>>> in general, so I'm really glad to see the issue raised.
>>>>         
>>> That may not exactly be the solution you have in mind, but I can't resist
>>> pointing out that a somewhat different approach to backward compatibility
> might
>>> have helped alleviating the effects that ultimately cause people to be
> looking
>>> for such alternative solutions.
>>>     
>>
>> I guess you'd have to be more specific if you want me to understand what
>> you're driving at.
>>   
>
> I figure the main reason people are urged to use multiple boost versions
> side-by-side is because of API incompatibilities between them.

More like ABI incompatibility.  Our APIs have been relatively stable,
IMO, but if you have precompiled binaries from one vendor that uses 1.34
and from another that uses 1.35, what choice do you have?

-- 
Dave Abrahams
BoostPro Computing
http://www.boostpro.com