[boost] Idea: Automatic Objects

From: scleary_at_[hidden]
Date: 1999-12-28 15:59:17

Dear Boost friends:

I was going to wait until the type traits was set, then compressed pair
built until I released this, but I think I shall go ahead and submit it now
(for comments).

The attached header file contains a simple class 'auto_action'.  The
attached html file is some documentation and examples.  In this case, the
documentation is a lot more important than the code, because Automatic
Objects are, AFAIK, a new idea.

Please read through the docs -- I apologize for their "rough" nature; they
were originally intented for my personal use only, and have been re-written
as many times as the code (this is 3rd generation).  Let me know what you
think.  Be harsh, in a nice way :)

        -Steve

P.S. The name "Automatic Object" sort of evolved from auto_ptr, which was
the seed for the entire idea.  I would have no problem changing the name to
something more descriptive when submitting.

P.P.S. I decided to submit this now because I use Automatic Objects
extensively in multi-threaded code.  They make it easier to write safe
synchronizing code, even when calling library functions that may throw
exceptions, etc.  They give that fuzzy, warm, safe feeling. . . :)

P.P.P.S. I'm working on a revision of type traits that I think everyone will
be satisfied with; compressed pair can then be constructed on these.  As for
that paper on template matching, I think I'll put it off until I understand
it better. . . :)