Re: [boost] Re: what happened to allocators in boost?

From: Gregory Colvin (gregory.colvin_at_[hidden])
Date: 2003-08-29 17:36:26

On Friday, Aug 29, 2003, at 15:14 America/Denver, E. Gladyshev wrote:
> ...
> People are adopted to follow similar
> requirements for STL allocators anyway.
>
> I guess they can be recommended to all boost
> authors who wants to make memory management
> data types.
>
> Perhaps they can be added to the "Guidlines" section
> http://www.boost.org/more/lib_guide.htm#Guidelines

At the least, we could add the following bullet

   * Discussion of memory management strategy.

to http://www.boost.org/more/lib_guide.htm#Documentation

I'm reluctant to say very much more at this point, as my opinions
may not be suited to the needs of the many different libraries in
Boost.  But I think it's generally reasonable to:
* not allocate memory unless it's really necessary
* use the standard mechanisms (::operator new or std::allocator)
   when it is necessary
* use custom allocation mechanisms only when there is a clear
   advantage to doing so
* parameterize only when there is a clear advantage to doing so
* use the standard parameterization mechanisms (Allocator) when
   choosing to parameterize
* use custom parameterization mechanisms only when there is a
   clear advantage to doing so
* document whether and how a library allocates memory