[Boost-users] [Smart Pointer] Reference counting when you don't want to manage memory [Honeywell Internal]

Subject: [Boost-users] [Smart Pointer] Reference counting when you don't want to manage memory [Honeywell Internal]
From: Hickman, Steve (AdvTech) (Steve.Hickman_at_[hidden])
Date: 2014-08-26 15:35:33

Classification: Honeywell Internal
Smart pointers (as in http://www.boost.org/doc/libs/1_56_0/libs/smart_ptr/smart_ptr.htm ) assume that the action you want to perform when the count goes to zero is to free the memory pointed to.  That isn't the only use for reference counting.   Why  doesn't the Smart Pointer library decouple the reference counting from the action to be taken and provide a generic reference counting mechanism that will call an arbitrary function when the count goes to zero? The default can be "delete" to provide the expected memory management capability but it would provide a robust mechanism for those who need other capabilities.

Reviewing the <boost/shared_ptr.hpp> code, it appears this decoupling already exists - through the use of boost::checked_delete and boost::checked_deleter (<boost/checked_delete.hpp>).  It just doesn't appear to be documented. Why not document this so others know how to use it?

Steve Hickman
System Architect, Flight Deck of the Future
480-236-8367

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This message classified as Honeywell Internal by Hickman, Steve (AdvTech) on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 at 12:35:32 PM.
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