Comparing Parameter Passing in Flux and Ranges for C++

2023/08/17
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The article compares the parameter passing in Flux and Ranges, two C++ libraries that offer collection-oriented code. Both libraries have eagerly evaluated algorithms and lazy adaptors, but they differ in their handling of arguments to sequence adaptors. The article explains that algorithms in both libraries take their arguments as forwarding references, allowing them to accept various types of arguments without major lifetime issues. However, when it comes to adaptors, the article highlights a key difference. Flux and Ranges implement adaptors as classes templated on an underlying sequence type. If the underlying sequence owns its elements, there are no lifetime issues. However, if the underlying sequence is non-owning, such as a span or string_view, it becomes the programmer's responsibility to ensure that the original elements outlive the adaptor object that refers to them. This distinction in argument passing is where Flux and Ranges diverge. The article provides insights into how Flux handles potentially long-lived references and offers improved safety, ease-of-use, and runtime efficiency compared to Ranges. This information is valuable for developers looking to understand the differences between Flux and Ranges and make informed decisions about which library to use for their projects.