on Wed Aug 01 2007, Lewis Hyatt <lhyatt-AT-princeton.edu> wrote:
On a slightly off-topic but perhaps more interesting note, what's the rationale for having a separate template parameter for the type of the initializing element? If it used the iterator's value_type (or a reference thereto) then this thread wouldn't be happening.
Good point. I guess the current way allows more mischief, which might be intentional. For example, you could pass an object that, every time it is converted to int, produces a new random value.
I think it's because std::iterator_traits didn't exist when the STL was first designed. It's similar with accumulate(), you have to pass in the starting value so it can grab the type.
You pass the starting value to accumulate so it can grab the value, not the type. -- Dave Abrahams Boost Consulting http://www.boost-consulting.com The Astoria Seminar ==> http://www.astoriaseminar.com