Re: [boost] Shouldn't both logging proposals be reviewed in the same formal review?

Subject: Re: [boost] Shouldn't both logging proposals be reviewed in the same formal review?
From: Stewart, Robert (Robert.Stewart_at_[hidden])
Date: 2009-11-20 08:57:35

Gottlob Frege wrote:
>
> Review Lib A
> comment/ask for changes/ etc
>
> Review Lib B
> comment/ask for changes/etc
>
> reject/approve A, B
>
> ie don't reject/approve A before reviewing B.

Lib A would be left in limbo for an indeterminate time, with this approach, which isn't particularly fair either.

The assumption in this entire discussion is, of course, that no reviewer of Lib A knows of or considers Lib B when reviewing Lib A.  It seems reasonable to dictate that a review manager alert potential reviewers to known competing library(ies) at the start of Lib A's review.  Reviewers can then decide, quite independently, whether to examine the competing library(ies) when reviewing Lib A.  If Lib B gives a reviewer a reason to dislike something that might otherwise have been thought not unacceptable in Lib A, that reviewer might then find fault with Lib A and vote against or conditionally for it.  If a reviewer doesn't examine Lib B, then Lib A might be found worthy of acceptance despite reservations or some level of discomfort.

Boost is about promoting C++ and library ideas, with an eye to improving or extending the language and standard library.  If there are multiple libraries for the same purpose in Boost, then that implies that more discussion and design is necessary to find the right balance of features, power, and simplicity for a version to be in the next standard or to remain in Boost long term.  Competition is good.  Duplication isn't.  I doubt we'll get much of the latter, but if so, that implies that merging competing libraries will be that much easier.

_____
Rob Stewart                           robert.stewart_at_[hidden]
Software Engineer, Core Software      using std::disclaimer;
Susquehanna International Group, LLP  http://www.sig.com

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