David Abrahams wrote:
We have a similar case with remove(), which is reported by remove() returning a bool indicating if it actually removed anything.
It would be quite consistent for create_directory() to return a bool indicating if it actually had to create the directory.
FWIW, I think that's the right approach.
I agree, too. Returning bool far more elegant than using second parameter or two different functions. BTW, this revives old thread about better name for 'create_directories'. The best alternative name, in my opinion, was 'demand_directory', because that emphasize that directory may exist already. But if 'create_directory' is changed as now suggested, "demand" suffix in "demand_directory" will not mean anything. So, what would be better name of create_directories: create_directory_and_parents create_path demand_path ? - Volodya