This is version 1.35.1 of libg++, the GNU C++ class library.

* Contents

    * g++ source files are in the ./src directory
    * Some simple tests and demo programs are in ./tests
    * Header files are in ./g++-include
    * documentation is in ./libg++.texinfo. You may convert this into
      an emacs Info file by editing the file and typing `texinfo-format-buffer'
    * Some miscellaneous files of possible interest are in ./etc
      (These files are not officially a part of the libg++ distribution,
      and are subject to arbitrary changes, deletions, etc. from release
      to release.)

* Installation (see libg++.texinfo more more details)

    * Read through the file ./libconfig.h to check 
      system-dependent parameters used in .cc files. You should
      also check through g++-include/stdio.h,  g++-include/math.h
      and g++-include/values.h. Most defined parameters are known
      to be OK on Sun, Vax, and most systems running a BSD-derived
      Unix. 

      People on SYSV (USG) systems should be particularly careful.
      Since g++ does not use a special compile-time symbol to
      distinguish USG, some parameters cannot be wired in.

    * Check the declared indicated pathnames, etc. in the Makefile

    * type 

       `make libg++.a'     -- to compile libg++.a
       `make install'      -- to install libg++.a and include directories    
       `make tests'        -- to make some tests/demos of libg++ 
       `make etc'          -- (optional) to compile various other things 
       `make gperf'        -- (optional) to compile Doug Schmidt's
                                perfect hash function generator

    * then cd to tests, and run the test files
        Note: the test files are as self-verifying as possible.
        Many tests necessarily rely on user input and/or randomization.
        Most of the output not associated with echoing input
        exists merely to demonstrate various capabilities.
        If the tests fully execute without assertion failures
        or other fatal errors, and outputs correspond in the stated
        ways to your inputs, you can be reasonably confident
        of successful installation.
   
        test0 currently fails to compile on some systems due
        to g++/ld++ problems. If this occurs, type `touch test0', and
        continue.

* changes from libg++-1.35.0

    * various and sundry bug fixes, minor enhancements, and/or portability 
        improvements as described in the ChangeLog. 

    * Streams have been redone to be nearly 100% AT&T 1.2 compatible.
        One minor possible incompatibility exists (ostream<< char)
        that can be eliminated via #define NO_OUTPUT_CHAR at the
        top of stream.h. This is probably necessary in order to
        compile et++. See libg++.texinfo for more details.

        The new stream implementation is not particulary pretty.
        It's main virtue is that is avoids some of the worst things 
        about both AT&T streams and old libg++ streams. A much
        superior AT&T 2.0-iostream superset is in the works
        for future release.

* Coming attractions

    * libg++-1.35.0 does not exploit two new features in g++-1.35.0:
      multiple inheritence, and static member functions. Soon, several
      existing classes will be modified to use these as appropriate.
    
    * The Matrix library is *still* not yet ready. Sorry.

* Lots of other information is in the libg++.texinfo file. It really is
  very important to actually read the documentation before using 
  library classes. Examination of the demo files in the test directory
  may also be useful. (Note however, that the demo files are merely
  designed to test examples of each class capability,
  and are not especially good examples of client functions that might
  use these classes.)

* There is now a gnu libg++ mailing list (bug-lib-g++@prep.ai.mit.edu) and
    associated usenet gnu news group.

* You will be performing a valuable service if you use libg++
   classes and report back any comments, and suggestions, or bugs,
   preferably to the bug-lib-g++ list. Your feedback is extremely 
   helpful in efforts to make libg++ as useful and reliable as possible.

* See file `etc/release.log' for changes from previous versions

* If you are a systems administrator installing libg++ for others,
    please make the documentation (libg++.texinfo) and test files
    available to users!

* I continue to solicit

  * bug reports.
  * suggestions.
  * comments.
  * questions about installing and using libg++
  * other contributions to be incorporated into libg++.
  * sample programs using libg++.

  Often, the best place to send such things is bug-lib-g++@prep.ai.mit.edu,
  although direct mail to me is also welcome.

* Good luck!

Doug Lea, Computer Science Dept., SUNY Oswego, Oswego, NY, 13126 (315)341-2367
email: dl@oswego.edu              or dl%oswego.edu@nisc.nyser.net
UUCP :...cornell!devvax!oswego!dl or ...rutgers!sunybcs!oswego!dl
