Re: [Boost-users] Serialization: how to serialize c style strings?

From: Robert Ramey (ramey_at_[hidden])
Date: 2005-06-15 23:01:16

Serialization of c style strings was excluded on purpose.  The motivation
for this was in large part the security issues involved.  Then there was the
problem of stings with spaces in them when writing to text output/input.
You can so this with the binary_object wrappers which handles the length,
memory pair.   My view was that the std::string was as good or better than
anything else I would use for this.

Robert Ramey

Tom Thorne wrote:
> I'm trying to understand how to go about serializing allocated c style
> string buffers using the serialization library.
>
> The example code below gives a compile error (see bottom)
> "left of '.serialize' must have class/struct/union type"
> and I don't see how to fix this. Could someone point me in the right
> direction?
>
> In the meantime I'm using std::string, but this doesn't meet my needs.
>
> Many thanks for any help.  Tom
>
> -----------------------------
>
> #include <boost/serialization/string.hpp>
> #include <fstream>
> #include <boost/archive/text_oarchive.hpp>
> #include <boost/archive/text_iarchive.hpp>
>
> template<class T>
> class test
> {
> public:
>
>   template<class Archive>
>   void serialize(Archive &ar, const unsigned int version)
>   {
>     ar & boost::serialization::make_nvp("p", p);
>   }
>
>
>   test()
>   {
>     p = 0;
>   }
>   ~test()
>   {
>     delete p;
>   }
>   explicit test(const T *t)
>   {
>     size_t len = std::char_traits<T>::length(t);
>     p = new T[len+1];
>     std::char_traits<T>::copy(p, t, len+1);
>   }
>   const T *get() const
>   {
>     return p;
>   }
> private:
>
>   T *p;
>
> };
>
> void sertest()
> {
>   test<char> t("Hello");
>
>   std::ofstream ofs("test.txt");
>   boost::archive::text_oarchive oa(ofs);
>
>   oa << t;
>   ofs.close();
>
> }
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> ------ Build started: Project: test, Configuration: Debug Win32 ------
>
> Compiling...
> sertest.cpp
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\serialization\access.hpp(106) :
> error C2228: left of '.serialize' must have class/struct/union type
>         type is 'type'
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\serialization\serialization.hpp(7
> 8) : see reference to function template instantiation 'void
> boost::serialization::access::serialize<Archive,T>(Archive &,T &,const
> unsigned int)' being compiled
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=type
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\serialization\serialization.hpp(1
> 21) : see reference to function template instantiation 'void
> boost::serialization::serialize<Archive,T>(Archive &,T &,const
> unsigned int)' being compiled
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=type
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\archive\detail\oserializer.hpp(15
> 2) : see reference to function template instantiation 'void
> boost::serialization::serialize_adl<Archive,T>(Archive &,T &,const
> unsigned int)' being compiled
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=type
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\serialization\extended_type_info_
> typeid.hpp(100) : while compiling class-template member function 'void
> boost::archive::detail::oserializer<Archive,T>::save_object_data(boost::
> archive::detail::basic_oarchive &,const void *) const'
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=type
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\archive\detail\oserializer.hpp(16
> 3) : see reference to class template instantiation
> 'boost::archive::detail::oserializer<Archive,T>' being compiled
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=type
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\archive\detail\oserializer.hpp(16
> 2) : while compiling class-template member function 'const
> boost::archive::detail::basic_oserializer
> &boost::archive::detail::pointer_oserializer<T,Archive>::get_basic_seria
> lizer(void) const'
>         with
>         [
>             T=type,
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\archive\detail\oserializer.hpp(53
> 0) : see reference to class template instantiation
> 'boost::archive::detail::pointer_oserializer<T,Archive>' being
>         compiled with
>         [
>             T=type,
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\archive\detail\interface_oarchive
> .hpp(65) : see reference to function template instantiation 'const
> boost::archive::detail::basic_pointer_oserializer
> &boost::archive::detail::instantiate_pointer_oserializer<Archive,T>(Arch
> ive *,T *)' being compiled
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::ar
> chive::text_oarchive,
>             T=type
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\archive\detail\oserializer.hpp(33
> 2) : see reference to function template instantiation 'const
> boost::archive::detail::basic_pointer_oserializer
> *boost::archive::detail::interface_oarchive<Archive>::register_type<T>(T
> *)' being compiled
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=type
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\archive\detail\oserializer.hpp(33
> 1) : while compiling class-template member function 'const
> boost::archive::detail::basic_pointer_oserializer
> *boost::archive::detail::save_pointer_type<Archive,TPtr>::non_abstract<T
>>>> register_type(Archive &)'
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             TPtr=char *,
>             T=type
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\archive\detail\oserializer.hpp(34
> 9) : see reference to class template instantiation
> 'boost::archive::detail::save_pointer_type<Archive,TPtr>::non_abstract<T
>> ' being compiled
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             TPtr=char *,
>             T=type
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\archive\detail\oserializer.hpp(47
> 5) : see reference to function template instantiation 'const
> boost::archive::detail::basic_pointer_oserializer
> *boost::archive::detail::save_pointer_type<Archive,TPtr>::register_type<
>> (Archive &,T &)' being compiled
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             TPtr=char *,
>             T=char
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\archive\detail\oserializer.hpp(46
> 2) : while compiling class-template member function 'void
> boost::archive::detail::save_pointer_type<Archive,TPtr>::invoke(Archive
> &,const TPtr)'
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             TPtr=char *
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\archive\detail\oserializer.hpp(55
> 1) : see reference to class template instantiation
> 'boost::archive::detail::save_pointer_type<Archive,TPtr>' being
>         compiled with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             TPtr=char *
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\archive\basic_text_oarchive.hpp(7
> 1) : see reference to function template instantiation 'void
> boost::archive::save<Archive,T>(Archive &,const T & )' being compiled
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=char *
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\archive\detail\interface_oarchive
> .hpp(80) : see reference to function template instantiation 'void
> boost::archive::basic_text_oarchive<Archive>::save_override<T>(const
> T & ,int)' being compiled
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=char *
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\archive\detail\interface_oarchive
> .hpp(110) : see reference to function template instantiation 'Archive
> &boost::archive::detail::interface_oarchive<Archive>::operator
> <<<T>(const T & )' being compiled
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=char *
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\serialization\nvp.hpp(58)
>> see reference to function template instantiation 'Archive
> &boost::archive::detail::interface_oarchive<Archive>::operator &<T>(T
> & )' being compiled
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=char *
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\serialization\access.hpp(106) :
> see reference to function template instantiation 'void
> boost::serialization::nvp<T>::serialize<Archive>(Archive &,const
> unsigned int) const' being compiled
>         with
>         [
>             T=char *,
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\serialization\serialization.hpp(7
> 8) : see reference to function template instantiation 'void
> boost::serialization::access::serialize<Archive,T>(Archive &,T &,const
> unsigned int)' being compiled
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=boost::serialization::nvp<char *>
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\serialization\serialization.hpp(1
> 21) : see reference to function template instantiation 'void
> boost::serialization::serialize<Archive,T>(Archive &,T &,const
> unsigned int)' being compiled
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=boost::serialization::nvp<char *>
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\archive\detail\oserializer.hpp(22
> 7) : see reference to function template instantiation 'void
> boost::serialization::serialize_adl<Archive,T>(Archive &,T &,const
> unsigned int)' being compiled
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=boost::serialization::nvp<char *>
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\archive\detail\oserializer.hpp(22
> 2) : while compiling class-template member function 'void
> boost::archive::detail::save_non_pointer_type<Archive,T>::save_only::inv
> okex(Archive &,const T &)'
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=boost::serialization::nvp<char *>
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\archive\detail\oserializer.hpp(30
> 9) : see reference to class template instantiation
> 'boost::archive::detail::save_non_pointer_type<Archive,T>::save_only'
> being compiled
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=boost::serialization::nvp<char *>
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\archive\detail\oserializer.hpp(23
> 7) : while compiling class-template member function 'void
> boost::archive::detail::save_non_pointer_type<Archive,T>::invoke(Archive
> &,const T &)'
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=boost::serialization::nvp<char *>
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\archive\detail\oserializer.hpp(55
> 1) : see reference to class template instantiation
> 'boost::archive::detail::save_non_pointer_type<Archive,T>' being
> compiled
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=boost::serialization::nvp<char *>
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\archive\basic_text_oarchive.hpp(7
> 1) : see reference to function template instantiation 'void
> boost::archive::save<Archive,T>(Archive &,const T &)' being compiled
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=boost::serialization::nvp<char *>
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\archive\detail\interface_oarchive
> .hpp(87) : see reference to function template instantiation 'void
> boost::archive::basic_text_oarchive<Archive>::save_override<T>(const T
> &,int)' being compiled
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=boost::serialization::nvp<char *>
>         ]
>         c:\Proj\lnp\core\test\sertest.cpp(14) : see reference to
> function template instantiation 'Archive
> &boost::archive::detail::interface_oarchive<Archive>::operator
> &<boost::serialization::nvp<T>>(const boost::serialization::nvp<T> &)'
> being compiled
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=char *
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\serialization\access.hpp(106) :
> see reference to function template instantiation 'void
> test<T>::serialize<Archive>(Archive &,const unsigned int)' being
> compiled
>         with
>         [
>             T=char,
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\serialization\serialization.hpp(7
> 8) : see reference to function template instantiation 'void
> boost::serialization::access::serialize<Archive,T>(Archive &,T &,const
> unsigned int)' being compiled
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=test<char>
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\serialization\serialization.hpp(1
> 21) : see reference to function template instantiation 'void
> boost::serialization::serialize<Archive,T>(Archive &,T &,const
> unsigned int)' being compiled
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=test<char>
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\archive\detail\oserializer.hpp(15
> 2) : see reference to function template instantiation 'void
> boost::serialization::serialize_adl<Archive,T>(Archive &,T &,const
> unsigned int)' being compiled
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=test<char>
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\serialization\extended_type_info_
> typeid.hpp(100) : while compiling class-template member function 'void
> boost::archive::detail::oserializer<Archive,T>::save_object_data(boost::
> archive::detail::basic_oarchive &,const void *) const'
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=test<char>
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\archive\detail\oserializer.hpp(23
> 4) : see reference to class template instantiation
> 'boost::archive::detail::oserializer<Archive,T>' being compiled
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=test<char>
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\archive\detail\oserializer.hpp(23
> 3) : while compiling class-template member function 'void
> boost::archive::detail::save_non_pointer_type<Archive,T>::save::invokex(
> Archive &,const T &)'
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=test<char>
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\archive\detail\oserializer.hpp(30
> 9) : see reference to class template instantiation
> 'boost::archive::detail::save_non_pointer_type<Archive,T>::save' being
> compiled
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=test<char>
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\archive\detail\oserializer.hpp(23
> 7) : while compiling class-template member function 'void
> boost::archive::detail::save_non_pointer_type<Archive,T>::invoke(Archive
> &,const T &)'
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=test<char>
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\archive\detail\oserializer.hpp(55
> 1) : see reference to class template instantiation
> 'boost::archive::detail::save_non_pointer_type<Archive,T>' being
> compiled
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=test<char>
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\archive\basic_text_oarchive.hpp(7
> 1) : see reference to function template instantiation 'void
> boost::archive::save<Archive,T>(Archive &,const T &)' being compiled
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=test<char>
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\archive\detail\interface_oarchive
> .hpp(80) : see reference to function template instantiation 'void
> boost::archive::basic_text_oarchive<Archive>::save_override<T>(const T
> &,int)' being compiled
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=test<char>
>         ]
>
> c:\Proj\boost\include\boost-1_32\boost\archive\detail\interface_oarchive
> .hpp(105) : see reference to function template instantiation 'Archive
> &boost::archive::detail::interface_oarchive<Archive>::operator
> <<<test<T>>(const test<T> &)' being compiled
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=char
>         ]
>         c:\Proj\lnp\core\test\sertest.cpp(55) : see reference to
> function template instantiation 'Archive
> &boost::archive::detail::interface_oarchive<Archive>::operator
> <<<test<T>>(test<T> &)' being compiled
>         with
>         [
>             Archive=boost::archive::text_oarchive,
>             T=char
>         ]
>
> test - 1 error(s), 0 warning(s)
>
>
> ---------------------- Done ----------------------
>
>     Build: 0 succeeded, 1 failed, 0 skipped