OT Rant on why C++ Sucks (Was Re: strict aliasing: how to swap pointers)

[Robert William Fuller <hydrologiccycle at gmail dot com>]

Rupert Wood wrote:
> Evan Jones wrote:
>
> > I have a function to swap any two pointers (assuming that
> > sizeof(void*) == sizeof(T*)). I would like to use it without
> > violating strict aliasing rules.
>
> I don't know how to fight aliasing rules but as another approach you could template the function instead, i.e.
>
>      template<typename T> T* exchange(T** ptr, T* next);
>
>      exchange<int>(&a, &v2);
>
> since you're using C++ here.

</begin rant>

What a fabulous idea for a programming language!  Why not instantiate 
code for every subtle variation of a type?  Then, create a giant library 
called STL for that very purpose.  Watch your executables grow to 
multiple megabytes in size guaranteeing they won't fit into the cache of 
 any processor.  What better way to bring your quad-core processor to 
its knees.  All hail the grand design of C++!

Ah, thank you :-)  I feel better now.  That was cathartic.

</end rant>