Re: [boost] [intrusive] rtti_base class proposition

Subject: Re: [boost] [intrusive] rtti_base class proposition
From: Ireneusz Szpilewski (irek_at_[hidden])
Date: 2009-10-21 09:09:44

Stewart, Robert wrote:
> Ireneusz Szpilewski wrote:
>   
>> [...]
>>   I don't care what you call it.  There is no good reason to do this in C++.
>>
>> [snipped examples of using containers of heterogeneous types.]
>>
>> I'm well aware of uses of this approach and they are usually misguided.  A common base class is not terribly helpful.  One specific to a particular use case is far more useful.  Using your approach encourages programming with dynamic_cast.  There are times when it is needed, but its use should be limited and not encouraged generally.
>>
>>
>>     
>>> I think of rtti_base as of yet another screwdriver in our toolbox. The
>>> more tools we have, the more various things we can do. As you wrote: 
>>>
>>> "There are times when it is needed" ;-) so, why not to have it?
>>>
>>> Ireneusz Szpilewski
>>>