--- Alexander Viro <viro@math.psu.edu> wrote:
> On Fri, 24 Aug 2001, Brad Chapman wrote:
>
> > - make everyone use the new macros (some people are thinking :P)
> >
> > - make everyone use #ifdef blocks with a config option (you think it's :P)
> >
> > - make min()/max() typeof() wrappers for a switch-style stack of comparison
> > functions which work on the various types, i.e:
> >
> > __u8 minimum = min(one, two) -> __u8 minimum = __u8_min(one, two)
> >
> > (this may be too complex and is probably :P)
> >
> > - make min()/max() inline functions, cast things to void, and use memcmp()
> > (this might almost be reasonable, but is probably also :P)
> >
> > - stay with the old-style macros (:P, :P, :P)
> >
> > What do you think, sir?
>
> Use different inline functions for signed and unsigned.
> Explicitly.
OK. That sounds reasonable, but do we want to do another forced
change, or do we want to hide it? That seems to be the root of the problem:
keeping the same API but making it work _right_.
>
> Any scheme trying to imitate polymorphism with use of cpp/
> GNU extensions/whatever is missing the point. There is _no_ common
> operation to extend on several types. Choice between signed and
> unsigned max should be explicit - they are different operations.
Well, IIRC I remember someone saying that it was legal to compare
signed/unsigned ints, if you did it in the right order. IMHO that might be
incorrect. And none of the ideas I have suggested use any fancy cpp/GNU rubbish.
The most evil-sounding thing I suggested was #4.
>
> Trying to hide that is C++itis of the worst kind - false
> polymorphism that hides only one thing: subtle bugs.
>
Ack. (IMHO) I don't like C++ either :P
Brad
=====
Brad Chapman
Permanent e-mail: kakadu_croc@yahoo.com
Current e-mail: kakadu@adelphia.net
Alternate e-mail: kakadu@netscape.net
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Aug 31 2001 - 21:00:16 EST