Re: [boost] C++03 / C++11 compatibility question for compiled libraries

Subject: Re: [boost] C++03 / C++11 compatibility question for compiled libraries
From: Edward Diener (eldiener_at_[hidden])
Date: 2018-02-09 20:48:22

On 2/9/2018 11:08 AM, degski via Boost wrote:
> On 9 February 2018 at 09:45, Thomas Heller via Boost <boost_at_[hidden]>
> wrote:
> 
>> Since C++03 is the lowest level of C++ standards compatibility, it can
>> hardly "demand" anything. If you think it does please point out a C++03
>> construct which is not supported by later C++ standards.
>>
>>
>> std::auto_ptr.
> 
> 
> register keyword, trigraphs, operator++(bool), exception specifications.

OK, but those are all pretty obscure constructs, even for C++03.

I do not think that any Boost library uses any of the above but I do 
agree that if a C++03 library uses some language feature that is dropped 
in subsequent versions of the C++ standard it should at least consider 
upgrading itself to be usable by others compiling with that later 
version. However I am still against the notion that Boost is going to 
dictate a level of the C++ standard in which all libraries in Boost must 
be written. You can not force developers to use constructs and libraries 
which they do not find useful. I do agree with the idea that a Boost 
library should be usable when compiled with a later version of the C++ 
standard than that for which the library itself was written.

The issue with Boost Test is that if it now requires a C++11 level 
compiler to use it, every library which tests itself using Boost Test 
now requires a C++11 level compiler to run its tests.

> 
> degski