[Boost-users] Writing custom allocator for use with extended boost vector

Subject: [Boost-users] Writing custom allocator for use with extended boost vector
From: Olumide (50295_at_[hidden])
Date: 2014-12-30 22:10:21

I am considering using boost::container::vector as an alternative to 
std::vector because std::vector moves when its capacity is exceeded. 
This is a problem because I am using a lean stack-like allocator that 
acquires a pool of memory from the heap and manages it my incrementing 
or decrementing a pointer to the available memory; and automatically 
moving the vector in the pool is a big no-no for several reasons chief 
of which is that such moves invalidate the above pointer. My allocator 
does not use a header block in order to delineate subsequent allocations.

This approach works because my application is recursive i.e. objects are 
allocated and deallocated in a strict LIFO order. Furthermore 
allocations are typically small (but not constant size) and and are 
routinely smaller than the size of the canonical header block consisting 
of a forward and backward pointer. To use such a header block would IMHO 
be a waste.

I'd like to port this allocator to for use with boost::container::vector 
but I'm not sure entirely sure how much of the 
boost::container::allocator interface that I need to implement, or if 
perchance there is already an allocator that does what I am trying to do.

Please advise.

Regards,

- Olumide