[Boost-users] Re: RTTI for VC 6

From: David Abrahams (dave_at_[hidden])
Date: 2004-08-16 05:33:56

"Samuel" <samuel_at_[hidden]> writes:

> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "David Abrahams" <dave_at_[hidden]>
> To: <boost-users_at_[hidden]>
> Sent: Monday, August 09, 2004 6:55 PM
> Subject: [Boost-users] Re: RTTI for VC 6
>
>
>> If you want to make a difference, post where those who care and can
>> respond will see it.  Or don't, but don't expect results.
>
> The Boost "What to do about Boost bugs" page says to submit "a bug report to
> either boost-users list, boost mailing list, or our bug tracking facility at
> SourceForge" and that "either of the mailing lists is a preferred way". Am I
> correct that this list is the boost-users list? 

Yes.  The advice is suboptimal, I guess.  Not all the developers
monitor this list, and your particular suggestion would impact many
libraries.  It really should be posted where the most developers will
be able to read it.

> I am not sure whether my suggestion qualifies as a bug

It doesn't, FWIW.

> but the Boost page about suggestions has similar instructions.
>
> Results? Am I expecting results? No, I tried to (or should have?) make it
> clear in my message that I posted the message to help others. I tried to
> make it clear that I already know the answer; I was posting an answer.
>
> If a person must use a time-consuming procedure to make a simple suggestion,
> then it is not likely they will. If this applies to bugs also, then the
> software is more likely to remain buggy.

I took this:

> That problem is probably a known problem, but something such as the
> following can be added somewhere to not allow a VC 6 program to even
  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^            
> compile if the RTTI option is off. I think it could make things a
> little easier for some beginners.
>
> #  if !defined(_CPPRTTI)
> #      error "Boost requires use of RTTI"
> #  endif

to be a request that Boost be patched to prevent compilation without
RTTI.  It didn't seem like a suggestion for beginners to do
themselves; after all they can turn on RTTI just as easily.  Did I
misinterpret your post?

-- 
Dave Abrahams
Boost Consulting
http://www.boost-consulting.com