[boost] A possible date for dropping c++03 support

Subject: [boost] A possible date for dropping c++03 support
From: Mike Dev (mike.dev_at_[hidden])
Date: 2018-08-26 02:42:48

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Boost <boost-bounces_at_[hidden]> On Behalf Of Edward Diener via
> Boost
> Sent: Sunday, August 26, 2018 7:07 AM
> 
> On 8/25/2018 1:51 PM, Mike Dev via Boost wrote:
> > From the discussion about abi compatibility when the Boost.System
> > library is compiled e.g. in c++03 mode and then included in a 
> > c++11 project or vice
> > versa
> > (https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/boost-developers-
> archive/EWG5NVOZo_
> > g)
> >
> >>
> >> When can we drop C++03 support? :D
> >
> > [...]
> >
> > What about the first or second release in 2020 ?
> 
> Please define what is meant by "dropping C++03 support

For me it means that

- a contributor can use c++11 language and library features
  (be it the library maintainer or someone else opening a PR
  on Github)

- A user (external or internal) may no longer expect a boost library 
  to compile with a compiler not supporting c++11 (and we can have a 
  discussion just which compilers that are) or when he tries 
  to compile it in c++03 language mode (e.g. -std=c++03)

Is that definition precise enough? 
What other definition did you have in mind (if any)?

If that is your concern: 
I would certainly not expect that you start ripping out the guts 
of an old, battle proven library and replace everything with c++11 
features just for the fun of it. However, next time a feature is 
added or a bug has to be fixed, you no longer have to restrict 
yourself to c++03. 
And maybe, over time, some people will contribute patches that 
simplify / improve a library by replacing some complex c++03 solutions
with simpler c++11 solutions when applicable.

Best

Mike