C++ Reference Guide > The Rise & Fall of Object Orientation:
Exceptional C++ Style, by Herb Sutter, contains a systematic analysis of class std::string. Sutter shows that the majority of its member functions can actually be replaced with existing STL algorithms, at least in theory. He also provides plenty of reasons why this approach is better. The four mini-chapters dedicated to this issue are indispensable for anyone who is interested in learning how general purpose libraries should be designed today. It's surprising to see that the original notions of OOP such as inheritance, virtual functions and member functions have become so antiquated and cumbersome in the last 10 years. Undoubtedly, were class std::string to be re-designed from scratch today, it would offer a cleaner, slimmer and more consistent interface
Via Top Ten of Programming Advice to NOT follow, by Kristian Dupont Knudsen, which is somewhat worth a read in its own right. (That link via Keith Gaughan.) I didn't agree with all of it, but I did like this bit:
Oh, and my favourite specialization of the comments advice: keep a history of changes and author info etc. in the top of each file.
I've never actually heard anyone say that you should do this but I have seen it so many times that there must be people out there recommending it. Why on earth you would clutter the code with information that so obviously belongs in the version control system is just beyond me.
Monday, February 13, 2006
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C style static typing was never condusive to "real" OO anyway.