ceph/src/boost/libs/mpl/doc/src/refmanual/Algorithms.rst

   1
   2 The MPL provides a broad range of fundamental algorithms aimed to
   3 satisfy the majority of sequential compile-time data processing
   4 needs. The algorithms include compile-time counterparts
   5 of many of the STL algorithms, iteration algorithms borrowed from
   6 functional programming languages, and more.
   7
   8 Unlike the algorithms in the C++ Standard Library, which operate on
   9 implict *iterator ranges*, the majority of MPL counterparts take
  10 and return *sequences*. This derivation is not dictated by the
  11 functional nature of C++ compile-time computations per se, but
  12 rather by a desire to improve general usability of the library,
  13 making programming with compile-time data structures as enjoyable
  14 as possible.
  15
  16 .. This can be seen as a further generalization and extension of
  17    the STL's conceptual framework.
  18
  19 In the spirit of the STL, MPL algorithms are *generic*, meaning
  20 that they are not tied to particular sequence class
  21 implementations, and can operate on a wide range of arguments as
  22 long as they satisfy the documented requirements. The requirements
  23 are formulated in terms of concepts. Under the hood,
  24 algorithms are decoupled from concrete sequence
  25 implementations by operating on |iterators|.
  26
  27 All MPL algorithms can be sorted into three
  28 major categories: iteration algorithms, querying algorithms, and
  29 transformation algorithms. The transformation algorithms introduce
  30 an associated |Inserter| concept, a rough equivalent for the notion of
  31 |Output Iterator| in the Standard Library. Moreover, every
  32 transformation algorithm provides a ``reverse_`` counterpart,
  33 allowing for a wider range of efficient transformations |--| a
  34 common functionality documented by the |Reversible Algorithm|
  35 concept.
  36
  37
  38 .. |Output Iterator| replace:: `Output Iterator <http://www.sgi.com/tech/stl/OutputIterator.html>`__
  39 .. |sequence algorithms| replace:: `sequence algorithms`_
  40 .. _`sequence algorithms`: `Algorithms`_
  41
  42
  43 .. copyright:: Copyright ©  2001-2009 Aleksey Gurtovoy and David Abrahams
  44    Distributed under the Boost Software License, Version 1.0. (See accompanying
  45    file LICENSE_1_0.txt or copy at http://www.boost.org/LICENSE_1_0.txt)