| Home | Libraries | People | FAQ | More

# Compiler Status

Introduction
Compiler Status Tables
Understanding the Tables
Acknowledgements

## Introduction

Will all boost libraries work with your compiler? Unfortunately, the answer is "it depends.".

Boost libraries rely on modern C++ features such as templates and the C++ Standard Library. Most modern compilers support those major features fairly well. But even today, years after the adoption of the C++ Standard, some compilers still don't support important minor features like partial template specialization.

Boost library authors often expend a great deal of effort trying to work around compiler deficiencies. Nevertheless, some libraries will not compile at all with certain compilers or may have crippled functionality. Even if the current release of a compiler supports a boost library, older versions of the compiler may not work properly.

Boost releases are run through a regression test suite which automatically generates Compiler Status Tables for various platforms. Unless otherwise indicated, the C++ Standard Library implementation is the one shipped with the compiler.

## Compiler Status Tables

Warning: These tables are not a good indication of a particular compiler's compliance with the C++ Standard. The Boost libraries often contain workarounds which mask compiler deficiencies.

Link to Compiler Status Table | Link to Regression Test messages | Contributed by
Apple Mac OS X | messages | Darin Adler
BeOS5 Intel | messages | John Maddock
Compaq Tru64 Unix 5.0 | messages | Jens Maurer in cooperation with Ralf W. Grosse-Kunstleve
HP/UX 11.0 | messages | Jens Maurer in cooperation with Thomas Matelich and Hewlett-Packard
IBM Aix | messages | Toon Knapen
Linux x86 | messages | Jens Maurer
Microsoft Windows 2000 | messages | Beman Dawes
SGI IRIX 6.5 | messages | Jens Maurer in cooperation with Ralf W. Grosse-Kunstleve
Sun Solaris SPARC 2.8 | messages | Jens Maurer in cooperation with Andrew Lumsdaine

## Understanding the Tables

A table might look like this:

> Run Date: 21 Sep 2001 15:31 GMT

> System Configuration: Microsoft Windows 32bit

> Program | Test Type | BelchFire Rev 5280 | WorkHorse 5.3
> libs/foo/test/foo_test.cpp | compile | Pass | Pass
> libs/bar/bar_test.cpp | run | Fail | Pass

The Run Date is important because the regression tests which create the status tables are run asynchronously, and thus may not represent the most current Boost release.

The Program column identifies the actual source file for the test. Each row in the table represents a different test.

The Test Type column identifies the type of test performed:

Test Type | Action | Required to Pass | Description and Use
compile | compile only | Compiler returns 0. | Verify that a source file will compile correctly, but without any attempt to link or execute. Used when factors such as possible object library unavailability make a run test impractical.
compile-fail | compile only | Compiler must return non-zero. | Verify that a source file fails to compile. Used to verify that an expected compile-time error was detected.
link | compile, link | Both compiler & linker return 0. | Verify that a source file will compile and link correctly, but without any attempt to execute the result. Used when factors such as possible data file unavailability make a run test impractical.
link-fail | compile, link | Either the compiler or linker must return non-zero. | Verify that a source file fails to compile and link. Used to verify that error detect which depends on unresolved externals works correctly.
run | compile, link, execute | Compiler, linker, and executable must all return 0. | Verify that a source file compiles, links, and the resulting program executes correctly (as indicated by a zero return code.) This is the primary test type for most uses.
run-fail | compile, link, execute | Both compiler and linker must return 0, and the executable must return non-zero. | Verify that a source file compiles and links correctly, and that execution of the resulting program detects some error. Used to verify runtime error detection code works properly.

Each remaining column in the table represents the individual compiler indicated. Unless otherwise indicated, the C++ Standard Library implementation is the one shipped with the compiler. A Pass entry indicates success for the indicated Test Type, while a Fail entry indicates failure. See Required to Pass in the above table for specifics.

## Acknowledgements

The compiler status tables have been prepared with resources donated by a number of individuals, educational institutions, and companies. Boost would like to thank them for their support.

- Intel Corporation, California, USA

- KAI Software, Illinois, USA

- Hewlett-Packard Company, USA

- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, California, USA

- University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA

Note, however, that Boost does not endorse any product or service, nor does Boost guarantee that some or all of its libraries work with any of the products or services mentioned above.

Revised 30 September 2001