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[dot]dlang[dot]org/thread/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: <sting.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.
