Re: [Texmacs-dev] Using STL

[Joris van der Hoeven]

On Tue, 14 May 2002, David Allouche wrote:

> I am working out the first bits of the transformation system.
> 
> I wanted to notify you that I will use STL containers wherever I think it 
> is appropriate. At the moment I am in need for a sorted associative 
> container and I am not willing to reinvent one while C++ already provides 
> this.

What are STL containers?
Why do we need them?

If it is in order to implement ttree, I have some new ideas about this.
In fact, I would prefer you to modify the standard tree class
in a safe way: just #define NEW_TREES and conditionnally include
some extra code when this flag is set. This will also require
some modifications in the way path #includes tree,
but it makes the implementation of the ttree class nearly trivial.

I am very much against the implementation of an abstract
tree-like structure. It will serve virtually no concrete purpose,
so please do not do this. You should rather move on to
the implementation of the rewriters, which is much more interesting.

> However, I will do my best to stay consistent with the rest in the 
> program. Specifically, I will not do anything which require changes in 
> other parts of the code BECAUSE of the STL.
> 
> Additionnaly I will also stay consistent with the current parameter 
> passing style (with pointer counting) even though I think it is flawed. 
> That way we will be able cooly talk out a new parameter passing style 
> later.

We might one day switch to gc by Hans Boehm, but I am not sure
about this yet (it produces strange messages sometimes).

But please: avoid wanting to change the whole architecture of TeXmacs
for what you want to do. Some things may be changed progressively
in the future, but *now* I would like you to concentrate on your
real project, which is difficult enough, and which does not require
any in-depth modifications.

> I do not forget merging with 1.0.0.5, I will do it when my head begins to 
> ache.

My head begins to ache again.