C++ Proofer

[Tom]

V - Great tips to earlier Library Documentation question!

I checked out the Dinkum site. >> Very impressive! <<

They sell a C++ "proofer" for around $16,000. Holy smokes !!

That's a lot of clam sauce!!

Does anyone have any experience using a C++ proofer? If so, where does
it benefit your coding work the most? If available, do you always use
it? Or does the proofer lend itself only to certain high level,
library intensive tasks?

Are there any Dinkum Unabridged Library users out there that can share
an opinion about that tool set. It costs $135/single user. Does it
give you a "must have" and "would not think of coding without it"
level of satisfaction?

Thanks for any insight.

-- Tom

 

[Dietmar Kuehl]

Does anyone have any experience using a C++ proofer? If so, where does
it benefit your coding work the most? If available, do you always use
it? Or does the proofer lend itself only to certain high level,
library intensive tasks?

I haven't used Dinkumware's Proofer but my understanding is that this
is effectively a test-suite for standard C++ library implementations.
That is, only those implementing the standard C++ library or those
wanting to verify the standard C++ library used by their C++ compiler
would be interested. Dinkumware is not in the business of software
verification but does library implementations. My understanding is
that they developed the Proofer primarily for their own benefit (to
test their own library) but since there is some demand for test-suites
it makes sense to offer this test-suite for sale. To give a second
data point: I once talked to a different company offering test-suites
for the standard C++ library and they asked for 45.000 British Pounds.
In comparison, the Proofer is a real bargain... Of course, a company
really interested in standard C++ library verification would buy both
test-suites (I'm aware of yet another test-suite but I have no idea
of their price; I figure it is in a similar range).

 

[Tom]

I haven't used Dinkumware's Proofer but my understanding is that this
is effectively a test-suite for standard C++ library implementations.
That is, only those implementing the standard C++ library or those
wanting to verify the standard C++ library used by their C++ compiler
would be interested. Dinkumware is not in the business of software
verification but does library implementations. My understanding is
that they developed the Proofer primarily for their own benefit (to
test their own library) but since there is some demand for test-suites
it makes sense to offer this test-suite for sale. To give a second
data point: I once talked to a different company offering test-suites
for the standard C++ library and they asked for 45.000 British Pounds.
In comparison, the Proofer is a real bargain... Of course, a company
really interested in standard C++ library verification would buy both
test-suites (I'm aware of yet another test-suite but I have no idea
of their price; I figure it is in a similar range).

Thank you Dietmar.

My hat is off to the scientists who know how to implement detailed
testing algorithms for all permutations and combinations of events
associated with using templates. Truly a challenge. To mathematically
and robustly "prove" a library has been completely tested almost seems
impossible at my level of understanding ... but I believe the experts
have an agreed upon approach that can test every situation.

I had hoped the proofer was some sort of detailed debugging tool that
would generate precise error messages used in the agglomeration of
library routines into a usable package. In other words, make it
simpler for the lesser skilled to throw it all together. No easy path
at any cost I guess.

Thanks again for your explanation. )

-- Tom

 

[Jack Klein]

V - Great tips to earlier Library Documentation question!

I checked out the Dinkum site. >> Very impressive! <<

They sell a C++ "proofer" for around $16,000. Holy smokes !!

That's a lot of clam sauce!!

Does anyone have any experience using a C++ proofer? If so, where does
it benefit your coding work the most? If available, do you always use
it? Or does the proofer lend itself only to certain high level,
library intensive tasks?

Are there any Dinkum Unabridged Library users out there that can share
an opinion about that tool set. It costs $135/single user. Does it
give you a "must have" and "would not think of coding without it"
level of satisfaction?

Thanks for any insight.

Dietmar already explained the purpose of Dinkumware's "proofer". If
you are looking for a reasonably priced commercial tool for statically
checking C++ and C source code, see PC Lint at www.gimpel.com.

 

[Tom]

[snip]

Dietmar already explained the purpose of Dinkumware's "proofer". If
you are looking for a reasonably priced commercial tool for statically
checking C++ and C source code, see PC Lint at www.gimpel.com.

Jack --

Thank you for responding. The gimpel site is definitely worthy of a
bookmark! Their ~10 year bug of the month listing with detailed
analysis is a powerful learning tool. I encourage other newbs to
browse that site.

-- Tom