Re: Proposal for adding C++ level to the meta/libraries.json

From: Edward Diener (eldiener_at_[hidden])
Date: 2020-09-22 16:16:20

On 9/22/2020 7:03 AM, Mateusz Loskot via Boost wrote:
> On Mon, 21 Sep 2020 at 19:38, Edward Diener via Boost
> <boost_at_[hidden]> wrote:
>>
>> Since we are reviewing Vinnie Falco's JSON library I thought that this
>> would be a good time to present a proposal to add information to each
>> Boost library's meta/libraries.json file regarding the level of C++
>> standard compliance for that library. This could then be added to each
>> library's visual documentation so that end-users would instantly know
>> the C++ standard level they would need to use in order to use a Boost
>> library.
>>
>> My proposal is to add 3 fields whose data would be the same as the
>> cxxstd allowed values from Boost Build, using the first value of each
>> choice ( currently 03, 11, 14, 17, 20 ).
>>
>> standard = minimum C++ level for the library
>> extended = same functionality in the library as the minimum C++ level
>> but with extended use given higher C++ levels
>> required = new functionality in the library above the minimum C++ level
>> which requires given higher C++ levels
> 
> I once looked [1] for ways to specify minimum required version of C++
> in the meta/libraries.json and I'm glad the idea is picking up an interest.
> 
> But, do we really need such a detailed set of tags?

I am fine dropping the other two tags if that is what people want. I 
just thought they might be useful.

> 
> We have `std`, as Peter pointed out.
> Why not just accompany it with `std_required`
> and display it in the libraries list in the docs.
> That's all the majority of users/developers need to know really.
> 
> Any extra info on correspondence between a library and C++ standard
> can be easily explained in a brief section in the library's docs.
> 
> [1] https://lists.boost.org/Archives/boost/2019/11/247385.php