[Boost-bugs] [Boost C++ Libraries] #3990: [serialization] data loss in version field

Subject: [Boost-bugs] [Boost C++ Libraries] #3990: [serialization] data loss in version field
From: Boost C++ Libraries (noreply_at_[hidden])
Date: 2010-03-09 05:28:52

#3990: [serialization] data loss in version field
------------------------------+---------------------------------------------
 Reporter:  vgough@…          |       Owner:  ramey        
     Type:  Bugs              |      Status:  new          
Milestone:  Boost 1.43.0      |   Component:  serialization
  Version:  Boost 1.42.0      |    Severity:  Showstopper  
 Keywords:                    |  
------------------------------+---------------------------------------------
 Encfs uses a version which is a date in the from "YYYYMMDD".

 This is common: date stamps have been used for decades in manually-entered
 records (such as DNS records), as well as automatically in distributed
 system - such as with Lamport clocks that incorporate real-time
 components.

 There is data loss:  version 1.42 silently corrupts the version field of
 programs using more then 16 bits for a version number.  We can argue about
 how important the data is, but regardless, this change CAUSES DATA LOSS.
 Data loss is the worst thing a serialization or archival system can do -
 there would have been less impact of adding a random core dump 50% of the
 time then in loosing even 1 bit of data 100% of the time for affected
 applications.

 End users are starting to be affected: deployment systems which build from
 source, such as Macports, are starting to build against boost 1.42.  This
 causes compatibility problems and end users are getting the short end of
 the stick in the form of archives that can't be read.

 The quicker this is fixed, the better, before longer-cycle deployments
 pick this up.

-- 
Ticket URL: <https://svn.boost.org/trac/boost/ticket/3990>
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