[boost] [convert] Version in the Vault ready for review.

Subject: [boost] [convert] Version in the Vault ready for review.
From: Vladimir.Batov_at_[hidden]
Date: 2009-03-01 19:02:24

After listening to many views, opinions, suggestions I've re-done 
boost::convert and would like it scheduled for a review. 

It is certainly nowhere as MPL and still not perfect. However, I believe 
it will be very useful to many developers (like me) not satisfied with 
lexical_cast and not (yet?) needing (or ready for) something like upcoming 
Spirit 2.0. 

Overall, after weighing all pros and cons, I am reasonably happy with the 
current interface and implementation. It does not implement all that have 
been discussed and suggested. It is most unlikely implemented the way some 
would like it to see. However, I had to make choices I felt comfortable 
with and I feel the current interface is minimal, readable and allows for 
further growth. 

With that review-request I would like to avoid opening up another round of 
discussions if 'from' was a good, bad, mediocre choice. I feel we've 
exhausted that topic and I would like people to simply vote if they find 
the functionality needed. I am most certainly prepared to eat my humble 
pie if the vote is 'no'. Still, I am very much looking forward to any 
implementation-related suggestions/corrections or new ideas we have not 
discussed so far.

The current interface can be summed up as with as little as

    int i = convert<int>::from(str); // Throws on failure
    int i = convert<int>::from(str, -1); // Returns -1 on failure

More details can be found in the accompanying document (just remember I am 
not Shakespeare). 

If/when we decide to extend that by incorporating, say, Boost.Parameter 
and/or Spirit, then it might be as

    int i = convert<int>::from(str)(radix_ = 10, more_parm_ = ...);
    int i = convert<int>::from(str)(some Spirit related stuff);

I am prepared to look into it further... if this initial proposal is 
accepted... otherwise, it'll be less work for me. :-)

Thank you everyone who participated in the lexical_cast/convert 
discussions. Your views, opinions, suggestions were very helpful and 
educating and are very much appreciated. I hope I did not forget anyone in 
the "acknowledgements" list.

The file called boost-string-convert.zip can be found in the Vault at 
http://www.boostpro.com/vault/.

Thanks,
Vladimir.