[boost] Re: return type of arithmetic operators

beckmann.bremen@t-online.de (Thomas Beckmann) writes:

Hi,

I want to use the arithmetic operators from boost/operators.hpp but found something strange.

If one takes for example boost::rational which uses boost::addable (and others), it is possible to write the following:

boost::rational<int> x, y, z;

x + y = z;

This is not possible for integral types.

Is this intended, considered minor or just overseen? Wouldn't it be better for the arithmetic operators to return const T instead of T?

It's considered minor and is intentional. Rationale: http://aspn.activestate.com/ASPN/Mail/Message/boost/1394406 -- Dave Abrahams Boost Consulting http://www.boost-consulting.com