I have two functions in my shared library which are declared as
follows:
void setName(const std::string& str);
std::vector<std::string> getInfo();
Since the code is compiled and in shared library. Every thing is great
if the customer of my shared library is using the same compiler
version (and same STL version). I am wondering if the customer changes
their compiler version (or STL version) which may have same interface
for all the standard containers, but different implementations and
sizes; will it still work with my shared library?
Here's an example:
The first function I mentioned above takes a const std::string as an
argument. The compiler I used to build my library (say for example)
defines the std::string something like this (I've omitted the
interface and namespace for simplicity)
template<typename T>
class basic_string
{
T* buffer;
size_t size;
public:
// public interface for std::string goes here
};
typedef basic_string<char> string; // string I used in my first
function
Now say the customer is using an updated version of the same compiler
or some other compiler which defines the std::string by adding an
additional private variable 'count' for reference counting as follows:
template<typename T>
class basic_string
{
T* buffer;
size_t size;
unsigned long* count;
public:
// public interface for std::string goes here
};
Problem:
As you can see the customer passes the new string to my function which
has different size. The function I wrote originally expected a
std::string of a smaller size. Will this break my shared library???
Same thing is also can be said about the second function which returns
a vector of strings, but container returned might be different as what
compiler expects it to be if they are of different sizes.
What I am getting at is that is it a bad idea to use standard
containers in the interface for shared libararies? Since the standard
containers are Templated and not compiled when used by the user of a
shared library.
I hope you understand the problem. Any response will be greatly
appreciated.
Thank you,
Adnan
