Re: [boost] [lexical_cast] cast of int8_t

Subject: Re: [boost] [lexical_cast] cast of int8_t
From: Antony Polukhin (antoshkka_at_[hidden])
Date: 2012-10-16 16:28:43

> 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 ;-)

Changing the current behavior will break existing user code. However
you can always use
lexical_cast<std::string>(static_cast<short>(int8_value))
 or even make some wrapper:

template <class To>
To my_cast(unsigned char f) {
return boost::lexical_cast<To>(static_cast<int>(f));
}

template <class From, class To>
To my_cast(const From& f) {
return boost::lexical_cast<To>(f);
}

2012/10/14 John Bytheway <jbytheway+boost_at_[hidden]>:
> 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.

Totally agree.

-- 
Best regards,
Antony Polukhin