Re: Rusty's message to C++ programmers (C or C++)
On 2008-05-06 09:06, Chris Thomasson wrote:
Use only explicit C++ POD, __NO__ STL, exceptions, constructor, destructors,
virtual functions, inheritance, whatever... Every object is POD; ctor/dtor
is explicit. POD templates would be allowed. You can still benefit from the
syntax of the language - kernel unfriendly features.
Why limit yourself to PODs? Constructors and destructors can be useful
even in a kernel environment (probably the constructors more than the
destructors though). Virtual functions are also useful, in fact they are
used all over modern kernels (but implemented using function-pointers).
Inheritance can also be useful, I've seen some code like this:
struct Base {
uint16_t type;
};
struct Some_thing {
uint16_t type;
// more data
};
And then you cast Some_thing* to Base* and pass them around and use the
type-field to cast them back, you might just as well use inheritance and
make the connection between the classes explicit in the code.
Of course you can not use every feature (I would not use exceptions or
STL and some other stuff) and you have to be smart about those you use,
but I think that most of the new stuff can find a place in a kernel.
PS: Groups other than c.l.c++ removed.
--
Erik Wikstr??m