Re: [Ctool-develop] suggestions to provide a 'real' public API

[Shaun F. <fli...@so...>]

These changes all sound good to me.

The most worrisome one in the namespaces.  We did this with our (large)  
library at work, finding out that some compilers (VC7, for example)  
have some odd namespace bugs.   Still, I think its worth doing, but it  
should probably be controllable via a new define in the Makefile.

I'm less concerned about users having to modify their Makefile a  
little, that' s not nearly as much a problem as having to change their  
source code.

Thanks,
Shaun

On Saturday, August 9, 2003, at 12:41  PM, Stefan Seefeld wrote:

> hi there,
>
> I'm looking at the ctool build system and code and I wonder
> what is needed to compile/install and user the API.
>
> There are some small but important changes I'd like to suggest
> that would make it much more simple to use ctool as a library:
>
> * the headers shouldn't be accessed directly like <decl.hpp>,
>   but instead with a common prefix, such as <ctool/decl.hpp>
>
> * all declarations should be wrapped in a common namespace
>   (such as, surprize, 'ctool').
>
> * 'make install' should place the headers in <prefix>/include/ctool/
>   and the library in <prefix>/lib such that other programs can
>   detect them there.
>
> * the parsing should be separate from preprocessing, such that
>   users can plug in their own preprocessors.
>
> I realize that these are non-trivial changes, i.e. they break
> backward compatibility. On the other hand, there are easy ways
> to provide backward compatible hacks for those who need them.
>
> What do you think of these changes ? They are technically quite
> simple to accomplish, it's just a matter of determining the impact
> they'll have, and providing the right means for backward compatibility.
>
> Best regards,
> 		Stefan
>
>
>
> -------------------------------------------------------
> This SF.Net email sponsored by: Free pre-built ASP.NET sites including
> Data Reports, E-commerce, Portals, and Forums are available now.
> Download today and enter to win an XBOX or Visual Studio .NET.
> http://aspnet.click-url.com/go/psa00100003ave/ 
> direct;at.aspnet_072303_01/01
> _______________________________________________
> Ctool-develop mailing list
> Cto...@li...
> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/ctool-develop
>