Re: [boost] The future and present of Boost

Subject: Re: [boost] The future and present of Boost
From: Peter Dimov (lists_at_[hidden])
Date: 2018-10-25 02:12:08

Edward Diener wrote:

> Haven't we already basically agreed, going forward with Boost, that a 
> library can use C++11 features and the C++11 Standard Library without 
> informing end-users in advance that it is going to do so, if previously it 
> supported C++03 ?

In theory. But theory and practice differ in practice. The theory of 
libraries as independent islands does not describe reality; we're a 
community, a team, and we tend not to do things that will create problems 
for other maintainers, such as unilaterally dropping C++03 support forcing 
all dependent libraries who still wish to support C++03 to deal with it 
somehow as if their maintainers had nothing better to do all day.

Dropping C++03 is a collective decision that Boost will take and announce as 
a single entity, and then everyone can move on to C++11 with clear 
conscience.