Re: [boost] [explore] Library Proposal: Container Streaming

Subject: Re: [boost] [explore] Library Proposal: Container Streaming
From: Stewart, Robert (Robert.Stewart_at_[hidden])
Date: 2009-12-02 09:22:49

Mikael Olenfalk wrote:
> On Wed, Dec 2, 2009 at 8:06 AM, Vladimir Prus
> <vladimir_at_[hidden]> wrote:
> >>
> >> Let me check this. I am using -O2
> >
> > That's not debug build, for sure.
>
> The -O2 setting only controls optimization, the -g flag is for
> enabling debug. You can have debug builds and turn on optimization at
> the same time, check for the presence of the -g flag (presence =
> debug)

-g (equivalent to -g2) inserts debugging symbols, useful for debugging, but also for other purposes.  That can be done for optimized and non-optimized builds.  -O2 activates optimizations.

The notion of a debug or a release build is not intrinsic in GCC.  The usual notion of a debug build implies no optimizations and the inclusion of debugging symbols.  The usual notion of a release build implies optimizations and no debugging symbols.  Combinations are possible (I usually include symbols in my release builds so core dumps and logged stack traces are more helpful to diagnose failures).

The standard refers to the manifest constant, NDEBUG, to control the behavior of assert.  This manifest constant is usually co-opted to indicate a release build and another, such as _DEBUG or DEBUG, is used to indicate a debug build.  Based upon the presence of those manifest constants, debugging only code may be included.

To compare the debug or optimized build effects of the proposed library and of Boost.Serialization requires agreeing on the options used, not just bandying about the terms "debug" and "release."  (Never mind the need to agree on whether to examine the effects on debug or release builds.)

_____
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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