[Boost-users] [Serialization] How do I serialize derived classes via a template class of type base class?

7 Jul 2010

      I am having a problem where I am trying to serialize a message of a 
template class. The template's class message is of type BaseClass, but I 
want it to serialize the derived versions of the class. As of right now, 
it is only serializing the BaseClass. How am I supposed to register with 
boost::serialization the types of the derived classes that I want it to 
serialize? I have tried several methods such as using the 
'BOOST_CLASS_EXPORT' macro. I have also tried 
boost::serialization::void_cast_register(). Also, I have tried using 
this example:

ar.register_type(static_cast<bus_stop_corner *>(NULL));

from here: 
http://www.boost.org/doc/libs/1_36_0/libs/serialization/example/demo_gps.hpp 
but still no luck.

It seems to me that all of the things I have posted above are different 
ways to achieve the same end result: serialize a derived class via a 
base class pointer. But I am not clear on when to use which one, and 
which method is appropriate for my case. Here is an example of what my 
code is like:

template <class T>
class Frame{
...
private:
     T message;
};

class BaseType{};

class SubTypeA : public BaseType{};

class SubTypeB : public BaseType{};

int main(){
     std::vector< Frame<BaseType> > myFrames;
     //add a bunch of Frame<SubTypeA> and Frame<SubTypeB> objects to the 
myFrames vector.

     //serialize the vector.

     return 0;
}

This code is not compilable at all, but was included to give you an idea 
of the structure of my program. I am pretty new to mailing lists, so I 
apologize if I am not using proper formatting etc.

[Boost-users] [Serialization] How do I serialize derived classes via a template class of type base class?

Neil Monday