Just gauging initial interest in a boost.deepcopy library, analogous to deepcopy in python. Each type would register deepcopy behaviour with the library (there are similarities to boost.serialize). Boost.deepcopy would supply out-of-the-box registration for pod types, pointer types, arrays, stl containers and common boost containers. Example: template<typename T> void deepcopy(deepcopycontext& ctxt, const T& obj) { ...; } Why not use boost::serialize and serialize into memory then out again I hear you say? That's a great approach, but only when every object requires the same deepcopy behaviour (also, it's not too optimal). The problem is, I need specific behaviour in some types. Specifically, I need copy-on-write behaviour for a Buffer class that I'm using. For example: void deepcopy(deepcopycontext& ctxt, const Buf& b) { if(!ctxt.contains(&b)) { Buf b2(b); // doesn't copy the buf data, just holds a shared ptr internally. Data is only cloned when b/b2 is written to ctxt.insert(&b, b2); } } I attempted to model this a while ago using boost.serialize, but it turned out pretty clunky, I started needing a few decorator classes for special cases, etc. Apologies for the oversimplified examples above, just wanting to get interest in the jist of it. Please let me know if this overlaps with existing boost functionality also (I'm not aware of anything atm). Feedback appreciated. Thx, Allan