The {fmt} library, a high-performance C++ formatting library, continues its development with significant contributions from lead developer Victor Zverovich, focusing on code quality and new features.
Recent activities have centered around improving the library's performance and functionality. Victor Zverovich has been instrumental in these efforts, contributing 36 commits that include workarounds for compiler warnings, cleanups, and the introduction of an experimental writer API. Other contributors have focused on specific enhancements such as compile-time formatting improvements and Python handler compliance with PEP 8 standards.
The recent issues and pull requests reflect a focus on enhancing compile-time capabilities and addressing compatibility concerns. Notably, PR #4072 remains open as it seeks to add support for _BitInt types in clang, while PR #4127 was recently merged to improve compile-time formatting. The rejection of PR #4126 due to binary size concerns highlights ongoing discussions about balancing performance with resource constraints.
Victor Zverovich (vitaut)
Summary
Quantified Reports
Detailed Reports-Wstringop-overflow.Anthony VH (AnthonyVH)
cdzhan
Roberto Turrado Camblor (rturrado)
Hugo Sales (someonewithpc)
Vladislav Shchapov (phprus)
dependabot[bot]
Experimental Writer API: Introduction of a new writer API by Victor Zverovich suggests potential future enhancements in how the library handles output operations.
Compile-Time Formatting Focus: Multiple efforts to enhance compile-time formatting indicate a strategic direction towards leveraging modern C++ features for performance gains.
Rejection Due to Binary Size: The decision to reject PR #4126 due to binary size regression highlights the project's careful consideration of resource efficiency.
PEP 8 Compliance: Efforts to align Python handlers with PEP 8 standards reflect attention to cross-language integration and code quality.
Clang Compatibility: Ongoing work on supporting _BitInt types in clang underscores the library's commitment to staying current with compiler advancements.
| Timespan | Opened | Closed | Comments | Labeled | Milestones |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Days | 2 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| 30 Days | 24 | 22 | 61 | 10 | 1 |
| 90 Days | 73 | 67 | 209 | 29 | 1 |
| All Time | 2613 | 2603 | - | - | - |
Like all software activity quantification, these numbers are imperfect but sometimes useful. Comments, Labels, and Milestones refer to those issues opened in the timespan in question.
| Developer | Avatar | Branches | PRs | Commits | Files | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor Zverovich |  |
1 | 0/0/0 | 36 | 15 | 2264 |
| Roberto Turrado Camblor |  |
1 | 2/2/0 | 2 | 1 | 669 |
| Vladislav Shchapov |  |
1 | 3/3/0 | 3 | 7 | 71 |
| Anthony VH |  |
1 | 2/1/1 | 1 | 2 | 21 |
| Hugo Sales |  |
1 | 2/1/1 | 1 | 2 | 12 |
| cdzhan |  |
1 | 1/1/0 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| dependabot[bot] |  |
1 | 3/2/1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| mhx (mhx) | 0 | 0/0/1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Eduard Voronkin (Noxybot) | 0 | 1/0/1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Dan Wang (empiredan) | 0 | 1/0/1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| sha512sum (linuxnyasha) | 0 | 1/0/1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| None (Anm01Chandel) | 0 | 1/0/1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
PRs: created by that dev and opened/merged/closed-unmerged during the period
The fmtlib/fmt repository currently has 10 open issues, with recent activity indicating a mix of bug reports, feature requests, and discussions about compatibility with various compilers and platforms. Notably, there are several issues related to formatting behavior changes in the latest versions, particularly regarding the handling of specific types and formatting options. A common theme among the issues is the need for better support for custom types and improved error handling in formatting functions.
Several issues have been raised about regressions from version 10.0.0 to 10.2.1, particularly concerning the use of FMT_COMPILE and std::optional. There are also discussions about the need for additional format specifiers and improvements in existing functionalities, such as handling of std::chrono types.
Issue #4124: Missing named arguments do not cause compilation error when using FMT_COMPILE
Issue #4123: Cannot suppress range formatter when type has a container_type member type.
Issue #4108: Difference in performance between the default and explicit presentation specifiers in format string compilation.
year_month_day does not work on clang 18.1.0 or earlier, on GCC 13.3 and earlier._BitInt.These issues reflect ongoing challenges with compatibility across different compilers and versions, as well as requests for enhancements to existing features.
Overall, the fmtlib/fmt project appears to be actively maintained with a responsive community addressing both bugs and feature requests while navigating compatibility challenges across various environments.
The analysis of the pull requests (PRs) for the {fmt} library reveals a mix of ongoing development efforts, maintenance activities, and community engagement. The current state includes one open PR and a significant number of closed PRs, indicating active contributions to the project.
_BitInt types in clang, which is crucial as these types are only supported in clang versions 14 and above. The PR has undergone discussions regarding its implementation details, with feedback from multiple reviewers suggesting improvements and clarifications.PR #4127: Improve compile-time formatting
constexpr specifiers and making fixed_string formattable. This addresses performance and usability issues in compile-time contexts.PR #4126: Add extern template/explicit instantiations for wchar_t
PR #4118: Improve compile-time formatting
PR #4116: Prioritize using the header files of self
PR #4115 & PR #4110: Make Python init.py PEP 8 compliant
PR #4107: Add 'n' specifier for tuple and pair
PR #4104: Support println for color formatting
PR #4099 & PR #4098: Bump dependencies
Multiple other PRs focused on bug fixes, performance improvements, and feature enhancements related to various aspects of the library's functionality.
The analysis of the pull requests reveals several key themes and trends within the development of the {fmt} library:
Active Development and Maintenance: The presence of both open and closed PRs indicates that the project is actively maintained. The single open PR (#4072) suggests ongoing work on enhancing compatibility with newer features in C++. The closed PRs demonstrate a continuous effort to refine existing functionalities, fix bugs, and improve performance.
Community Engagement: Many PRs include discussions among contributors, showcasing an engaged community that provides constructive feedback. For instance, in PR #4072, multiple reviewers contributed insights that led to proposed changes. This collaborative environment is essential for maintaining high-quality contributions.
Focus on Compile-Time Improvements: Several recent PRs (e.g., #4127, #4118) emphasize enhancing compile-time formatting capabilities. This focus aligns with modern C++ practices where compile-time checks can significantly reduce runtime errors and improve performance. However, there are also concerns about complexity introduced by some proposals, as seen in the discussions around PR #4118.
Dependency Management: Regular updates to dependencies (as seen in PRs #4099 and #4098) reflect good practices in maintaining security and compatibility within the project. This proactive approach helps mitigate potential vulnerabilities associated with outdated libraries.
Balancing Features vs. Complexity: Some proposed features have been rejected or met with skepticism due to concerns about adding unnecessary complexity to the library's API (e.g., PR #4104). This highlights a critical aspect of software development where feature requests must be weighed against maintainability and usability.
Code Quality Initiatives: The efforts to ensure code compliance with standards (e.g., PEP 8 for Python files) indicate a commitment to code quality across all components of the project. This attention to detail not only improves readability but also fosters better collaboration among contributors who may work across different languages or modules.
Long-Term Vision: The discussions surrounding new features, such as support for _BitInt types or enhanced formatting options for tuples/pairs, suggest a forward-looking vision for the library that embraces evolving C++ standards while ensuring backward compatibility where necessary.
In conclusion, the {fmt} library's pull request activity reflects a robust development process characterized by active community involvement, a focus on performance improvements, careful management of dependencies, and an ongoing commitment to code quality. However, balancing new features with complexity remains a critical challenge that will require continued dialogue among contributors as the library evolves.
Victor Zverovich (vitaut)
format.h and chrono.h.-Wstringop-overflow.Anthony VH (AnthonyVH)
cdzhan
Roberto Turrado Camblor (rturrado)
Hugo Sales (someonewithpc)
Vladislav Shchapov (phprus)
dependabot[bot]
High Activity from Key Contributor: Victor Zverovich is the primary contributor, indicating strong ownership and ongoing development of the library. His focus on cleanup, bug fixes, and feature enhancements suggests a commitment to maintaining code quality and functionality.
Collaborative Efforts: There is evidence of collaboration among team members, particularly in pull requests where multiple contributors are involved. This indicates a healthy team dynamic and shared responsibility for the project’s success.
Focus on Quality and Performance: The recent commits reflect a continuous effort to improve performance (e.g., compile-time formatting) and maintain high standards (e.g., compliance with coding conventions).
Diverse Contributions: Contributions come from various team members addressing different areas such as Python integration, core library functionality, and dependency management, showcasing a well-rounded team skill set.
Active Maintenance: The frequency of commits and the nature of changes suggest that the project is actively maintained, with ongoing improvements being made to enhance usability and performance.
The development team is actively engaged in enhancing the {fmt} library through collaborative efforts, consistent contributions, and a focus on quality improvements. Victor Zverovich's leadership in development is complemented by contributions from others, ensuring a robust evolution of the library.