[Boost-users] [serialization, boost::function] stateful function objects

From: Ruediger Berlich (ruediger.berlich_at_[hidden])
Date: 2007-12-07 18:55:14

Hi there,

I have a class that is being serialized in regular intervals. It contains a
vector<shared_ptr<somefunctionObject> > . As the somefunctionObject objects
can maintain state, I want to be able to serialize them along with the
surrounding class. This works fine with the current design.

I would find it much more pleasing to replace the above vector e.g. with a
vector<boost::function<void(someType)> >. From the program logic this would
have the same effect, but would be more elegant.

I can not see, though, how serialization would work in this case. As far as
I know it is not possible to retrieve the object back from boost::function.
And it is also not possible to specify more than one interface to
boost::function, e.g. in order to support two operator() with different
signatures like this: 

"boost::function<void(someFunctionObkject), someFunctionObject(void)> f;"

If that was possible, I could just give the function object a "clone"
function and write my own (de-)serialization code.

Any ideas ?

Thanks and Best Regards,
Ruediger Berlich