Re: [boost] [lexical_cast] cast of int8_t

Subject: Re: [boost] [lexical_cast] cast of int8_t
From: John Bytheway (jbytheway+boost_at_[hidden])
Date: 2012-10-13 19:57:54

On 13/10/12 16:35, Jochen Wilhelmy wrote:
> another question is why does lexical_cast treat int8_t and uint8_t like
> char? technically I see no reason for this as c++ has three types: char,
> signed char and unsigned char. in my code I use only char for characters
> and signed/unsigned char as numbers. I know that the standard stream
> operator << treats signed/unsigned char as char but I know no
> explanation for this (I consider it a bug ;-)

Whatever we think of the standard streams' decision (and indeed I agree
it's dubious), lexical_cast behaves in this way because it is defined in
terms of the standard streams.  Personally I think that is the right
choice.  Consistency is more important than tweaking each individual case.

John