[Boost-users] Re: Problems with std::min when I switched from 1.31to 1.32

From: Eric Niebler (eric_at_[hidden])
Date: 2005-01-20 02:30:08

cheesy4poofs wrote:
> I looked thru some boost headers and noticed some code
> like: (std:min)(x, y)
> 
> On a whim, I added this to my code and BINGO, everything compiles fine.  I
> am curious why this fixed it though?  Is it because the preprocessor mangled
> the "min" before the compiler saw it?

Yup.

   And the parenthesis, in effect,
> prevent the preprocessor from expanding the macro?
> 

Yup. Function-like macros are only applied when the name of the macro is 
immediately followed by (optional whitespace and) an opening paren. When 
you say (std::min)(x, y), the min macro cannot apply because of the 
closing paren after "min".

HTH,

-- 
Eric Niebler
Boost Consulting
www.boost-consulting.com