On Thu, Feb 19, 2009 at 10:21 AM, Andrey Semashev <andrey.semashev@gmail.com> wrote:
Steven Watanabe wrote:
The problem with a fully generic convert is that it's a different beast from string conversions. Converting to and from a string can require formatting information that is meaningless for other conversions and which cannot easily be provided by fully generic code.
This is where tools like Boost.Parameter could come forward. String-related conversions may not be the only domain where passing arbitrary parameters to the conversion mechanism is desirable.
An interface that can convert between anything and anything else has to be extremely flexible. Extremely flexible interfaces are usually deeply flawed. The process of design (not just in programming) is synonymous with selective removal of flexibility. IMO the "mother of all conversions" interface will end up like this: http://www.revergestudios.com/swiss_army_knife.jpg :) Emil Dotchevski Reverge Studios, Inc. http://www.revergestudios.com/reblog/index.php?n=ReCode