Re: [Boost-users] Review: Switch library

Joel de Guzman wrote:

Richard wrote:

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[Please do not mail me a copy of your followup]

boost@lists.boost.org spake the secret code thusly:

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I also urge Steven to pursue the dynamic_switch idea I posted which employs perfect hashing at compile time whereby allowing equivalent or faster than a switch dispatch at runtime where the cases are dynamic (instead of compile time constants). I just want to say that I think this approach is so amazingly cool, my socks are not only blown off, but orbiting the planet :-).

Yes, it's so cool. I believe it can be done. A well designed compiler implements switch using perfect (or near perfect) hashing anyway. Seems though that some compilers still don't.

Another interesting approach could be "adaptive switch" as explained here: http://osdir.com/ml/parsers.spirit.devel/2006-05/msg00025.html (a self-optimizing alternative parser). Maybe it can be combined with hashing techniques. Regards, Tobias