Re: [Boost-users] scoped_ptr::release (again)

Subject: Re: [Boost-users] scoped_ptr::release (again)
From: Howard Hinnant (hinnant_at_[hidden])
Date: 2009-02-20 21:54:33

On Feb 20, 2009, at 1:27 PM, Yang Zhang wrote:

> From http://www.boost.org/doc/libs/1_36_0/libs/smart_ptr/scoped_ptr.htm 
> :
>
> "If scoped_ptr had a release() member, it would become possible to  
> transfer ownership of the held pointer, weakening its role as a way  
> of limiting resource lifetime to a given context. Use std::auto_ptr  
> where transfer of ownership is required. (supplied by Dave Abrahams)"
>
> But there already is a way to escape the scope, via swap().
>
> Would it make more sense to just provide release() and have users  
> specify const if they want?  (const scoped_ptr/scoped_array would  
> effectively disallow swapping/releasing.)

<opinion>
http://home.roadrunner.com/~hinnant/unique_ptr03.html

(search for "scoped_ptr")
</opinion>

-Howard