auto classes and finalizers

[kris]

Regan Heath wrote:

> I have. Here is what you say WRT leaks:
> 
>> What about implicit cleanup? In this scenario, it doesn't happen. If 
>> you  don't explicitly (via delete or via raii) delete an >object, the 
>> dtor is  not invoked. This applies the notion that it's better to have 
>> a leak  than a dead program. The leak is a bug >to be resolved.
> 
> 
> Whereas using my suggestion we get implicit cleanup. Auto propagates as  
> required, dtors are added and delete is called automatically where  
> required resulting in no leaks. The best part is that the compiler  
> enforces that by default and you have to opt-out with 'shared' to  
> introduce a leak.
> 
> So, assuming it's workable (Walters call) and it's not too inflexible I  
> think it's a better solution. In short, I would rather not have to  
> explicitly manage the resources if at all possible (and I still hope it  
> might be).

I thought the idea was that classes with dtors are /intended/ to be 
explicitly cleaned up? That, implicit cleanup of resources (manana, some 
time) was actually a negative aspect? At least, that's what Mike was 
suggesting, and it seemed like a really good idea.

Along those lines, what I was suggesting is to enable dtors for explicit 
cleanup only. Plus an optional runtime leak detector. I guess I like the 
simplicity of that. What you suggest seems workable too, but perhaps a 
little more involved?