Re: [boost] Interest in StaticVector - fixed capacity vector

Subject: Re: [boost] Interest in StaticVector - fixed capacity vector
From: Jeffrey Lee Hellrung, Jr. (jeffrey.hellrung_at_[hidden])
Date: 2011-10-11 20:11:02

On Tue, Oct 11, 2011 at 4:55 PM, Christian Holmquist
<c.holmquist_at_[hidden]>wrote:

> On 11 October 2011 14:41, Andrew Hundt <athundt_at_[hidden]> wrote:
>
> > On Tue, Oct 11, 2011 at 12:41 PM, Eelis van der Weegen <eelis_at_[hidden]
> > >wrote:
> >
> > > On 2011-10-09 19:59, Andrew Hundt wrote:
> > >
> > >> Anyone still have additional thoughts or interest in this?
> > >>
> > >
> > > I think this type of container is very useful, and would love to see
> one
> > in
> > > Boost.  Should you decide to submit your library for review, I will
> > > definitely review it. :)
> > >
> > > Eelis
> > >
> > >
> > Great, thank you! I'm looking at the submission process page at:
> >
> >
> I second that. I've been using boost::array<> with a sentinel value to
> indicate end, which is both ugly and requires length to be 1 longer than
> needed.
> boost::container::static_vector seems like a good addition, maybe it can be
> reviewed for inclusion in upcoming Boost.Container.
>
> FWIW, I think that static_vector should throw std::bad_alloc if it runs out
> of space, to mimic an out of memory situation for ordinary containers.
> (Consider an algorithm that needs temporary storage, and user passes a
> static_vector as tmp storage policy. The algorithm might be designed to
> handle std::bad_alloc in some way).
>

I'm presently against any throwing behavior related to resizing of a
StaticVector/static_vector, since one can usually easily check the relevant
preconditions themselves.  Just assert.  For those who want defined behavior
in resize overflow (or underflow) situations, I'd say derive or wrap.  Some
kind of policy template parameter could be possible, but right now it feels
like that's an unnecessary complication on an otherwise relatively simple
data structure.

That's not to say I can't be dissuaded from this opinion.

- Jeff