Re: Total Newbie Backward Compat Question

Hal Vaughan wrote:
> Chris ( Val ) wrote:
> 
>> On Mar 12, 1:35 am, Hal Vaughan <h...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>>> Oh, and is there any reason you specify std::cout and suggest using
>>> std::foo for most functions when needed instead of using using
namespace
>>> std?
>> [snip]
>>
>> Yes, it is the most restrictive and safest way to access objects in C+
>> +.
>>
>> Look up namespaces in your favourite book - Most books should cover
>> them
>> adequately these days.
> 
> Every book I've looked at and each web page I've seen in my source,
except
> for one, uses "using namespace std" instead of std:: for many objects.

This issue is covered by the comp.lang.c++ FAQ, question 27.5. The FAQ 
is available at: http://www.para****ft.com/c++-faq-lite/
The FAQ also provides two alternatives to using-directives.

The short answer is that namespaces exist to prevent name collisions 
between different parts of the code (which may well be written by 
different authors or even different companies). By using a 
using-directive, you nullify all that hard work. And since there are so 
many names in the std namespace, it makes a name collision all the more 
likely.

The fact that your books and web pages all use "using namespace std;" is 
alarming but not surprising. :(

Phil