Re: [boost] Let's stop distributing binaries

Subject: Re: [boost] Let's stop distributing binaries
From: Edward Diener (eldiener_at_[hidden])
Date: 2018-08-29 15:12:52

On 8/29/2018 10:53 AM, Robert Ramey via Boost wrote:
> The fact is that users of boost use compilers with differing levels of 
> C++ standard conformance.  This creates a number of problems including 
> (but probably not limited to)
> 
> a) Using libraries built with different levels of C++ conformance may 
> create ABI issues.
> 
> b) it creates a discussion about "dropping C++03 support".  Actually it 
> creates a discussion about that the above actually means.
> 
> c) It's motivated a suggestion that all libraries move to header only. 
> This is not  great idea - but I won't address that here.
> 
> I believe all these issues - and more - would disappear if we just 
> stopped distributing binaries.  Each user would be building his own 
> boost version with (presumably) the same compiler.  Since C++03 
> compatible libraries are C++?? compatible, each library author can 
> maintain the level of backward compatibility that he wishes.
> 
> But if we're not going to distribute binaries, then users might as well 
> just clone the latest "certified - good - tagged" version in the master 
> branch from the github repo.  That is, let's just stop or truncate the 
> whole release circus.  Replace with an occasional 
> "certification/versioning procedure" which would make available a 
> "squashed" master suitable for efficient cloning.
> 
> This would make everyone's life easier.

Forcing end-users to build Boost themselves is not user friendly.

> 
> Robert Ramey