If T[new] is the container for T[], then what is the container for T[U]?

[Andrei Alexandrescu]

Christopher Wright wrote:
> Simple solution: put the array definition in object.d and try 
> implementing arrays with reference counting or manual memory management.
> 
> I think stored slices break manual memory management, even with a 
> dedicated slice type; but they should work just fine with refcounting. 
> If you don't want to change the language, object.Array will have to 
> implement the logic for slices and for allocated arrays. It's a bit 
> ugly, and it makes the Array type larger. Also, Array's reference count 
> would need to be accessed by reference.

There are three schemes that are good starting points:

1. As right now :o).

2. Using refcounting. Arrays will be 4 words long (begin, end, 
end-of-store, refcount*) and slices will be 3 words long (begin, end, 
and owner*)

3. Using manual management. Arrays will be 3 words long (begin, end, 
end-of-store) and slices will be 2 words long (begin, end). This is 
close to C++/STL. This case is less safe but very efficient.

If we manage to integrate them all... that's quite the holy grail. And I 
think it's entirely possible with only a few changes to the language.


Andrei