Re: [Boost-Users] Four Questions on boost::shared_ptr

--- At Mon, 4 Feb 2002 00:28:32 -0800, Darin Adler wrote:

On 2/3/02 11:54 PM, "Jon Wang" wrote:

...

1. Mr Stroustrup said that there wasn't a need for auto_array, for "a better solution is to use a vector". So, should we use vector or scoped_array/shared_array?

You should normally use std::vector unless you have some special reason to use boost:: scoped_array and boost::shared_array. Those classes are provided both for completeness, and because occasionally there are such special reasons. But not often.

I consider user vector<> often. However there is a cost. For a fixed size allocation of a buffer there is only the data allocated. If you use a vector<> the vector also includes (for most implementations) the current capacity, the current size, and the allocator. I would be interested in finding a class that is somewhere between allocating my own buffers and vector<>. Low overhead for simple allocations; no resizing or growing. Even in this case, in order to support iterator semantics the size is going to be needed. Sigh. I suppose a case like this might be when scoped_array would be used? ...Duane