Re: [boost] [Root Pointer] New Documentation

Subject: Re: [boost] [Root Pointer] New Documentation
From: Vladimir Batov (Vladimir.Batov_at_[hidden])
Date: 2016-04-10 19:58:59

Phil,

On 04/11/2016 07:41 AM, Phil Bouchard wrote:
> On 04/10/2016 04:07 PM, Artyom Beilis wrote:
>>>> 3. What happens when root_ptr is deleted and node_ptr exists? Does use
>>>> of node_ptr lead to undefined behavior? If so it should be marked as
>>>> big warning.
>>>
>>> You can't construct a node_ptr without a root_ptr so node_ptrs are 
>>> always
>>> instantiated after a root_ptr.

To begin with, I feel that your main argument in favor of your library 
compared to the std::shared_ptr is that your library takes care of 
cycles. I am personally yet to be convinced that the cycles-related 
problem is actually as big as you make it. More so, std::shared_ptr does 
manage cycles with weak_ptr and discipline. ;-)

Second, I feel that Artyom asked an excellent question which IMO 
highlights a fundamental flaw with your library.

I feel that your library does not solve the cycles problem but rather 
replaces it with another problem. Namely, the problem of managing the 
life-cycle of the memory manager (strangely called root_ptr). And IMO 
that problem is quite serious given that all node_ptrs spawned from the 
main root_ptr are freed (regardless of the cycles or existing 
references) when that root_ptr is destroyed.

Regards,
Vladimir.