ceph/src/boost/libs/serialization/doc/new_case_studies.html

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  13 <title>Serialization - Proposed Case Studies</title>
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  22       <h1 align="center">Serialization</h1>
  23       <h2 align="center">Proposed Case Studies</h2>
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  27 <hr>
  28 <dl class="index">
  29   <dt><a href="#functionobject">Serializing a Function Object</a></dt>
  30   <dt><a href="#archiveadaptor">Archive Adaptors</a></dt>
  31   <dt><a href="#archivehelper">Archive Helpers</a></dt>
  32 </dl>
  33
  34 These are not part of the library itself, but rather
  35 techiques on how to use the library to address specific situations.
  36
  37 <h2><a name="functionobject"></a>Serializing a Function Object</h2>
  38 An example on how to serialize a function object.  I believe this
  39 could be done by serializing a pointer to the object in question.  Since
  40 the Serialization library resurrects a pointer of the correct type
  41 this should be easily implementable.
  42 <p>
  43 If a group of function objects were all derived from the
  44 same polymorphic base class - perhaps via multiple inheritance,
  45 then the function object effectively becomes a "variable" which
  46 encapsulates code.
  47 <p>
  48 This case study would show how to do this.
  49
  50 <h2><a name="archiveadaptor"></a>Archive Adaptors</h2>
  51
  52 Often users want to add their own special functionality to an
  53 existing archive.  Examples of this are performance enhancements
  54 for specific types, adjustment of output syntax for xml archives,
  55 and logging/debug output as archives are written and/or read.
  56 If this functionality is implemented as an "adaptor" template
  57 which takes the base class as a template argument, such functionality could be
  58 appended to any archive for which that functionality makes sense.
  59 For example, an adaptor for generating an xml schema could be
  60 appended to both wide and narrow character versions of xml archives.
  61 <p>
  62 This case study would show how to make a useful archive adaptor.
  63
  64 <h2><a name="archivehelper"></a>Archive Helpers</h2>
  65 Some types are not serializable as they stand.  That is - they
  66 do not fulfill the requirements of the "Serializable Concept".
  67 The iconic example of this is boost::shared_ptr.  Sometimes
  68 these types could be made serializable by adding code inside
  69 the library.  Of course, doing that would create a lifetime
  70 of unpaid employment for the library author. Rather than
  71 adding a bunch of special code to the library itself, this
  72 code can packaged as a "helper" or "mix-in" class.  Then
  73 a new archive is derived from both the "base" archive class
  74 AND the "helper" class.  This is how boost::shared_ptr
  75 has been implemented.
  76 <p>
  77 It would also be possible to make a "generic runtime helper"
  78 which would effectively extend the API of the library.  Previously
  79 the library included such a helper class.  It was removed
  80 in favor of the current implementation.  But this functionality
  81 should be added back in with another adaptor which would
  82 become part of the library.
  83
  84 <hr>
  85 <p>Revised 1 November, 2008
  86 <p><i>&copy; Copyright <a href="http://www.rrsd.com">Robert Ramey</a> 2002-2008.
  87 Distributed under the Boost Software License, Version 1.0. (See
  88 accompanying file LICENSE_1_0.txt or copy at http://www.boost.org/LICENSE_1_0.txt)
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