Re: [boost] Arguing about names in Boost libraries

Subject: Re: [boost] Arguing about names in Boost libraries
From: Nevin Liber (nevin_at_[hidden])
Date: 2011-04-25 11:53:58

On 25 April 2011 08:21, Edward Diener <eldiener_at_[hidden]> wrote:

> What is wrong with the people commenting on libraries for Boost who are so
> concerned about the names being used ?

I've been around long enough to learn that names are incredibly important.
It is how we communicate.

> This is irrelevant. There is something mentally wrong about all those
> peoples spending endless amounts of time around this issue. I notice this
> does not happen nowadays for just one library but for ever single library,
> or proposed library, which is mentioned on this mailing list.
>

Because some of us do generic programming, commonality of names have become
even more important.

> Is this the way all of you people actually work in your daily jobs, or on
> your own projects, spending hours and days arguing with others about C++
> identifiers for every little thing ?

For me, it is a function of how easily I can change it in the future if I
get it wrong.  The bigger the scope, the more up front effort I put into the
naming.

Grow up ! Surely there are better things to do than carry on endlessly about
> some name, that is should be x or y or z or some other inane preferable
> list.
>

If it bothers you so much, why not just skip reading those messages?  Boost
is a volunteer effort; people can spend that effort any way they see fit.

> It's time for somebody to say this, so I will do it. A C++ identifier name,
> as long as it is vaguely about what the functionality entails, is perfectly
> adequate.

In your opinion.  Some of us have other opinions, cultivated from our
experiences.

> It does not have to satisfy everyone in the universe. Period !
>

It won't satisfy everyone.  But we still should strive for the best names
possible.
-- 
 Nevin ":-)" Liber  <mailto:nevin_at_[hidden]>  [phone]