Re: Libpropc++

[Roel Vanhout <roel riks nl>]

Foster Gareth wrote:
>  > Since template code cannot be 'separated' from the rest of a program
>  > into a shared library, all the files that depend on a
>  > template library
>  > (such as, in fact, libsigc++) will have to be open-sourced in
>  > order to
>  > comply with the terms of the LGPL. This does indeed implicate
>  > that you'd
>  > have to open-source at least a part of your program in order
>  > to be able
>  > to use libsigc++.
> I've heard about this problem in the context of other open source 
> libraries.
> Does anyone know if there is there any scope for this being addressed in 
> the
> forthcomming C++ standard, is it even on the agenda for that revision or
> perhaps the next?

I don't think it's even possible. Because templates provide compile-time 
information they need source to work. Note that even in discussions 
about the 'export' keyword it is often explicitly mentioned that that 
part of the spec will not provide a way for library providers to keep 
their source closed, while 'export' is the closed one can get as far as 
I can tell. I would be very happy to be shown wrong on this though.


cheers,

roel