From: francis.glassborow@btinternet.com   
      
   On 25/04/2013 08:51, Jonathan Thornburg wrote:   
   > Dave Harris  wrote:   
   >> As I understand it, we want the effect of something like:   
   >>   
   >>     vector::operator vector &() const {   
   >>         return *(vector *)this;   
   >>     }   
   >>   
   >> Achieving this would be a matter of using pointer_traits to turn > *> into  and then using enable_if to disable the   
   >> operator when T is not a non-const pointer. Am I missing something?   
   >   
   > This would be perfect.   
   >   
   > If I understand you correctly, this could be implemented by changes   
   > to std::vector alone, i.e., it does NOT require changing the syntax   
   > or semantics of the C++ programming language itself.  Is this   
   > correct?   
   >   
   > A related design question....  As I understand this solution, it   
   > would provide the conversion implicitly.  An alternative would be to   
   > require an explicit static_cast< std::vector > .  Would   
   > this be preferable?  (I don't know -- I'm asking people's opinions.)   
      
   That looks like a 'yesterday' solution. If it can be done like that it   
   would, IMHO. be better to wait for Concepts Lite so that we can   
   provide a future solution.   
      
   Francis   
      
      
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