Subject: Re: [boost] variant2 never empty guarantees
From: Gavin Lambert (gavinl_at_[hidden])
Date: 2017-06-13 08:34:15
On 13/06/2017 19:31, Andrzej Krzemienski wrote:
> First of all. I haven't seen anyone give an example where they need a
> strong guarantee for variant's assignment. There was one attempt with a
> state machine, but even there it seamed only theoretical. I think the
> questions if we can implement it are secondary to if anyone really needs it.
Actually the state machine example was a thought exercise that (I think)
proved a strong guarantee was *not* useful for that case.
> If whoever has a real (as opposed to theoretical) need for a strong
> guarantee, please respond.
I think the first barrier is that someone needs to come up with a case
where a strong guarantee on assignment for *any* type (not variant) is
useful.
Once some type T needs it, it would become easier to argue that
variant<T, ...> should provide it as well (due to the desire that a
variant containing a T should act as much like a T as possible). I'm
still not entirely sure I'd agree with that argument, but at least it
becomes possible to have that argument with something concrete in mind.