COW vs. in-place.

[Regan Heath]

On Mon, 31 Jul 2006 11:18:40 -0500, Dave <Dave_member at pathlink.com> wrote:
> What if selected functions in phobos were modified to take an optional  
> parameter that specified COW or in-place? The default for each would be  
> whatever they do now.
>
> For example, toupper and tolower?
>
> How many times have we seen something like this:
>
> str = toupper(str); // or equivalent in another language.

I think it's the right idea, but I think it's simply a variation of the  
idea that the array itself needs a flag to tell functions whether they  
have to copy, or can modify in place. A 'readonly' flag, as mentioned here  
in other threads.

I'd prefer the flag was internal to the array so that my function  
signatures were simpler and less cluttered by things not directly related  
to the function.

That said, your idea can be implemented right now. The internal array flag  
requires Walter to agree and change D's arrays.

Regan