[boost] [BOOST CORE C++ Feature] The super or base keyword for C++

Subject: [boost] [BOOST CORE C++ Feature] The super or base keyword for C++
From: Max Hölzer (max.hoelzer_at_[hidden])
Date: 2011-04-29 17:48:51

Hello,

i was wondering if it makes sens to add the well known super or base keyword to 
the C++ language in a generic way. 

Here I have a simple example on how it would make inherited base or super class 
overloaded function calls easier.

Example 1:

class A
{
    public:
        virtual void print() {
            std::cout << "A" << std::endl;
        }
};

class B : public A
{
    public:
        virtual void print()
        {
            std::cout << "B" << std::endl;
            std::cout << "super call "; A::print();
        }
};

class C : public B
{
    public:
        virtual void print()
        {
            std::cout << "C" << std::endl;
            std::cout << "super call "; B::print();
        }
};

int main(int argc, char* argv[])
{
    A a;
    B b;
    C c;
    
    a.print(); // Prints A
    b.print(); // Prints B and super call A
    c.print(); // Prints C and super call B super call A

    return 0;
}

Adding a template class superable would avoid one to write the explicit base or 
super class name.

Example 2:

namespace boost
{
    template<typename T>
    class superable : public T
    {
        public:
            typedef T super; // C++ and java style
            typedef T base; // C# style
    };
}

class A
{
    public:
        virtual void print() {
            std::cout << "A" << std::endl;
        }
};

class B : boost::superable<A>
{
    public:
        virtual void print()
        {
            std::cout << "B" << std::endl;
            std::cout << "super call "; super::print(); // C++ and java style 
call
        }
};

class C : boost::superable<B>
{
    public:
        virtual void print()
        {
            std::cout << "C" << std::endl;
            std::cout << "super call "; base::print(); // C# style call
        }
};

int main(int argc, char* argv[])
{
    A a;
    B b;
    C c;
    
    a.print(); // Prints A
    b.print(); // Prints B and super call A
    c.print(); // Prints C and super call B super call A

    return 0;
}

If somebody could add this to the core boost library, that would be great.

Sincerely yours,

Max