It would be much easier, and less confusing, when looking at compiler workarounds in Boost code if their were defines for various compilers/versions in a configuratiion header file such as: #define BOOST_COMPILER_SOME_COMPILER_LOWER (PREPROCESSOR_TAG >= nnnn) #define BOOST_COMPILER_SOME_COMPILER_UPPER (PREPROCESSOR_TAG <= nnnn) #define BOOST_COMPILER_SOME_COMPILER (BOOST_COMPILER_SOME_COMPILER_LOWER && BOOST_COMPILER_SOME_COMPILER_UPPER) where SOME_COMPILER might be VC71,GCC40 etc. Then in code one could see: #if defined(BOOST_COMPILER_VC71) etc. rather than the less understandable #if defined(MSC_VER == nnnn) etc. I would just like to see more readability in the Boost code regarding compiler workarounds. I am also aware their is a workaround macro, but even that deals in compiler preprocessor tags rather than a more readable compiler version. I am aware that many workarounds have to deal with versions before or after a certain version number but even that can be made more readable by macros which tell one the actual compiler which is involved. I realize I am just a reader of Boost code and not a Boost developer but I think this suggestion would make for a little more readable code in its own small way.