[boost] Re: program_options defect

From: Vladimir Prus (ghost_at_[hidden])
Date: 2003-08-16 02:20:10

Neal D. Becker wrote:

> I just found that program_options (from yahoo "files") has a serious
> defect. The value of an option cannot start with the character '-', or it
> will be interpreted as an option.
> 
> Obviously, this makes it difficult to enter a negative number as the
> option value.

Hi Neal,
as Dave already mentioned, I'm not really in position to hack on anything
right now ;-) I do recall, though, that the behaviour you describe was
intended only for optional values, so if "-f" has optional value, then

   "-f" "-1"

is interpreted as option "-f" followed by "-1". If that's the behaviour you
don't like, we can discuss what can be improved. If there's some other
case, then it's a bug. 

Since I'm not likely to have CVS access where I go, this issue might have to
wait till I'm back.

- Volodya