# Frequently Asked Questions

Why is data I've written to a `filtering_stream` not reaching the Sink at the end of the chain?
How do I write to several ostreams at once?
How do I access a Filter or Device after I've added it to a chain or attached it to a `stream` or `stream_buffer?`
How do perform file positioning operations with large (64-bit) offsets?
How do I read from or write to an STL sequence?
How do I write a stream which can read or write multibyte character encodings?
Can I swap Filters or Devices in the middle of a sequence of i/o operations?
Why does my filter chain work with `std::cout` but not with another `ostream`?
Why do I get errors stating that `operator|` is ambiguous?
Why do I get errors when compiling the `finite_state_filter` examples?

#### Why is data I've written to a `filtering_stream` not reaching the Sink at the end of the chain?

You may need to flush the stream. Note, however, that there is no guarantee that all data written to a `filtering_stream` will be forwarded to the final Sink until the stream is closed, unless all the Filters in the underlying `chain` are Flushable.

It's also possible that a buggy Filter is modifying data in a way you don't expect, e.g., by silently discarding data.

#### How do I write to several ostreams at once?

Use a `tee_filter` or `tee_device`. See `tee`.

#### How do I access a Filter or Device after I've added it to a chain or attached it to a `stream` or `stream_buffer?`

If you're using a `stream` or `stream_buffer`, use `operator*` or `operator->`.

If you're using a `filtering_stream`, `filtering_streambuf` or `chain`, use the member function templates `component_type` and `component`. Alternatively, add your Filter or Device to the chain by reference, using a reference wrapper.

#### How do perform file positioning operations with large (64-bit) offsets?

If you're using a raw Device and your compiler supports a 64-bit integral type, you can pass a large offset directly to `seek`. To convert the return value of seek to an integral type, use `position_to_offset`.

If you're using a `stream_buffer` or `filtering_streambuf`, convert the offset to a `std::streampos` using `offset_to_position`, then pass it to `pubseekpos`. To convert the return value of seek to an integral type, use `position_to_offset`.

If you're using a `stream` or `filtering_stream`, convert the offset to a `std::streampos` using `offset_to_position`, then pass it to the overload of `seekg` or `seekp` which takes a single `std::streampos` argument. To convert the return value of seek to an integral type, use `position_to_offset`.

See Stream Offsets.

#### How do I read from or write to an STL sequence?

You can append to an STL sequence using a `back_insert_device`, or the function `boost::iostreams::back_inserter`. You can read from an STL sequence by adding an instance of `boost::itertator_range` to a `filtering_stream` or `filtering_streambuf`.

See Writing a `container_source` and Writing a `container_sink`.

#### How do I write a stream which can read or write multibyte character encodings?

Use a `code_converter`. See `Code Conversion`.

#### Can I swap Filters or Devices in the middle of a sequence of i/o operations?

If you're performing output, and if all the Filters in you chain are Flushable, then yes. First call `strict_sync`. If it returns `true`, you can safely call `set_auto_close(false)` and `pop` one or more components without closing the stream. This applies to instances of `filtering_stream`, `filtering_streambuf` and `chain`.

#### Why does my filter chain work with `std::cout` but not with another `ostream`?

The Iostreams library stores streams and stream buffers by reference; consequently, streams and stream buffers must outlive any filter chain to which they are added. This is not a problem for `std::cout`, since it is guaranteed to live until the end of the program.

Check to make sure that the `ostream` is not being destroyed before the `filtering_stream`. If both objects are constructed on the stack within the same block, make sure that the `ostream` is constructed first.

#### Why do I get errors stating that `operator|` is ambiguous?

During overload resolution for an expression involving `operator|`, your compiler could be considering an implicit conversion from an intergral type to a Pipable Filter. Make sure that all your Pipable Filters have `explicit` constructors. See Pipelines.

#### Why do I get errors when compiling the `finite_state_filter` examples?

The template `finite_state_filter` requires a highly standard-conforming compiler. See Portability and the Compiler Status Tables for details.

Revised 02 Feb 2008

© Copyright 2008 CodeRage, LLC
© Copyright 2004-2007 Jonathan Turkanis

Distributed under the Boost Software License, Version 1.0. (See accompanying file LICENSE_1_0.txt or copy at http://www.boost.org/LICENSE_1_0.txt)