DIP59

Title:	"dlib" in druntime
DIP:	58
Version:	1
Status:	Draft
Created:	2014-04-11
Last Modified:	2014-04-11
Author:	user:Monarchdodra
Links:	http://forum.dlang.org/post/xiofvuktricobthxyzyn@forum.dlang.org initial forum discussion

Abstract

Create a "core.dlib" library to druntime. It would provide functions that are equivalent to what can be found in C's runtime library. Particularly: <string.h>

Rationale

C's runtime library is powerful, but *very* unsafe, and hard to use in a generic fashion. Having functions with a D interface can add safe bounds checking, no type casting, and CTFE.

Description

The basic idea is to have an equivalent of function which are useful, but hard to use in a safe manner:

• malloc => T[] malloc(T)(size_t howMany) @system;
• calloc => T[] calloc(T)(size_t howMany) @safe;
• memcpy => void memcpy(T)(T[] dest, T[] source); //infered.
• memmove => void memmove(T)(T[] dest, T[] source); //infered
• memcmp => void memcmp(T)(T[] dest, T[] source) @safe;
• memchr => void memchr(T)(T[] data, ref T what) @safe;
• memset => void memset(T)(T[] data, ref T what); //infered
• ...

Extra functions could also be added, on a "need to have" basis. For example, memset0 could be introduced to 0 out some memory. This would be guaranteed safe.

Thougts

This is a *very* rough first draft. It will be updated per feedback. For example, I'm currently unsure *when* memmove should be safe: When no CC? When no indirection? When not both? When neither?

Library name ("core.dlib") is up to debate.

Location: druntime/phobos is also up to debate (placing in druntime is probably more convenient, but implementations may require some template magic from traits.d/typetuple.d

Copyright

This document has been placed in the Public Domain.