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

Subject: Re: [boost] A possible date for dropping c++03 support
From: Glen Fernandes (glen.fernandes_at_[hidden])
Date: 2018-08-29 13:58:08

James King wrote:
> I thought Peter Dimov got it right from the comment I saw earlier.
> The project would no longer spend time and effort on qualifying or testing
> C++03 compatibility.  CI builds and the test matrix would no longer
> specifically test C++03.  The default language level for b2 builds would be C++11.

Sounds right. All of these above is a much more useful statement to
make to users.

> Individual repository maintainers could attempt to continue to qualify
> for C++03 however once an upstream dependency begins to include
> C++11 code, that effort would have to give way.

If an upstream dependency only works in C++11 and above, and the
library maintainer wants to support C++03, they can either:
A) Drop the dependency and still support C++03
B) Drop C++03 support
But again it will be up to that library maintainer.

> As a developer both working on and
> consuming boost I would appreciate the permission to start using C++11
> without fear.

You will be able to start using C++11 in the libraries that you
maintain, without fear. You won't be able to force another library
maintainer to let you use C++11 unconditionally in their library if
they want to support C++03 users.

Glen