Re: [boost] [Review] Formal Review: Boost.Move

Subject: Re: [boost] [Review] Formal Review: Boost.Move
From: OvermindDL1 (overminddl1_at_[hidden])
Date: 2010-05-23 18:15:50

On Thu, May 6, 2010 at 9:36 PM, OvermindDL1 <overminddl1_at_[hidden]> wrote:
> Greetings Boost Developers and Users,
>
> It's my pleasure to announce that the review of Ion Gaztañagas' Move
> library starts May 10th and lasts until May 24th, 2010, unless an
> extension occurs.
>
> What is it?
> ===========
>
> The Boost.Move library would supply an emulated C++1x Move semantics
> interface, aka RValue References, allowing for a wide variety of easy
> to use and easy to add in optimization abilities.
>
> The most used function it would add would be:
>
> Â val_b = boost::move( val_a );
>
> Which would move val_a to val_b; val_a should not be used after this
> line. Â This semantic allows for a vast amount of optimizations,
> especially in regards to temporaries, see the documentation for
> further examples and use.
>
> Other patterns emulated are && rvalue references for functions/members
> and constructors. Â There are also a number of STL containers in the
> sandbox that support move semantics using this library for higher
> efficiency.
>
>
> Getting the library
> ===================
>
> The latest version of this library may be downloaded from
>
> Â SVN: http://svn.boost.org/svn/boost/sandbox/move/
>
> and the docs may be viewed here
>
> Â Docs: Â http://igaztanaga.drivehq.com/libs/move/doc/html/index.html
>
> and do note, this library is header-only and is designed to be
> absolutely generic to be useful in all areas of C++ programming.
>
>
> Writing a review
> ================
>
> If you feel this is an interesting library, then please submit your
> review to the developer list (preferably), or to the review manager.
>
> Here are some questions you might want to answer in your review:
>
> - What is your evaluation of the design?
> - What is your evaluation of the implementation?
> - What is your evaluation of the documentation?
> - What is your evaluation of the potential usefulness of the library?
> - Did you try to use the library? With what compiler? Did you have any problems?
> - How much effort did you put into your evaluation? A glance? A quick
> - reading? In-depth study?
> - Are you knowledgeable about the problem domain?
>
> And finally, every review should answer this question:
>
> - Do you think the library should be accepted as a Boost library?
>
> Be sure to say this explicitly so that your other comments don't
> obscure your overall opinion.
>
>
> Special considerations
> ======================
>
> If you want or need a primer on the subject, please look at the
> working draft for C++1x. Â This linked site has also been shown to be
> quite useful in describing move usefulness:
>
> Â Want Speed? Pass by Value.:
> http://cpp-next.com/archive/2009/08/want-speed-pass-by-value/
> Â Move It With Rvalue References:
> http://cpp-next.com/archive/2009/09/move-it-with-rvalue-references/
>
> And there are further links in that series, but those two will get you
> started in the domain.
>
>
> Best regards,
>
> OvermindDL1, Review Manager (Boost.Move)

There have been a couple of review submissions so far, so at this
point I will keep the review on track for its normal ending period,
thus it ends tomorrow night.  I will go through the reviews and create
an overall summary shortly thereafter (I already have time set aside
for Tuesday for this).

Do note, thus far there have been a few issues brought up about this
library, I will see how these continue, but you may expect me to ask
for feedback on them as there seems to be a possible conditional
acceptance for this library, and at least one (gcc related) bug-fix
due to how this library implements something that is not well defined
in the standard.

If at all possible, please finish up discussion soon, but do not feel
rushed, I can delay the final decision, this is an important library
for older compilers and it needs to be very well fleshed out.