Re: [boost] [functional] adding overload

Subject: Re: [boost] [functional] adding overload
From: Stewart, Robert (Robert.Stewart_at_[hidden])
Date: 2012-01-17 10:32:11

Nathan Ridge wrote:
> Lorenzo Caminiti wrote:
>
> > During Boost.Local review, it was proposed to move the overload
> > template out of Local and in Boost.Functional. What would the best
> > name for it?
> >
> > 1) boost::overload_function (my preference)
> > 2) boost::overloaded_function
> > 3) boost::function_overload
> > 4) boost::functional::overload (Boost.Functional seems to use boost::
> > directly and not boost::functional-- to mimic C++11 ).
>
> I like boost::functional::overload. You can then add a convenience
> function make_overload() with creates one without having to specify
> the template parameters, and it will be at once intuitive-sounding
> and consistent with Boost naming conventions.

An overload is a function with a signature differing from others of the same name.  What's being created here is a function object that represents an overload set.  It's a collection of overloaded functions.  "overload" is not correct as you're using it.  "overloaded_function" is closer to correct, but I think that "overload_set" is the right term.  You create an overload_set object and call it.  When called, it does something like overload resolution, and forwards to the appropriate callable in the set.

Thus, I suggest boost::function_overload_set and boost::make_function_overload_set, if you want to avoid the nested namespace (and permit s/boost/std/ for the future), and boost::functional::overload_set and boost::functional::make_overload_set, otherwise.

_____
Rob Stewart                           robert.stewart_at_[hidden]
Software Engineer                     using std::disclaimer;
Dev Tools & Components
Susquehanna International Group, LLP  http://www.sig.com

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