On 04/03/11 18:55, Chad Nelson wrote:
Why would you? Give me a viable use-case, and if it fits the library's design criteria, I'll be happy to try to make it happen. Well, let's say i just have some file format storing large integer this way or receiving large integer over a network by unconnected packet. It's a variation of reading the int value from a string like "45748764465768754564634687314313270". And what interface do you envision to allow this?
I have to give it a deep thought so it looks like a vlaid proposal. I'll come back at you on this.
If you want more than read-only, then even if the library provides it, it will have to be marked as officially unsupported and subject to incompatible changes without warning in future versions. Read only is all what is needed IMHO If such a function isn't use-specific, I assume it would be more at home within the library than as an add-on, and I'd suggest providing a patch if you're willing and able to offer it to the public. If not, then you're right, the only way to do it well would be with read/write access to the internals. Well, look at spirit or other stuff like that. Havign extension points or proper process to add X or Y is a very fine additionin any lib.
It's not an excuse, but I'm very short of sleep and more than a little frustrated. Please forgive the tone of my previous reply Take a break this week end, sleep well and everythign will be more calm and clean for arguing monday.