How constant are MPI constants?

(no name) (Andrew.Lumsdaine@nd.edu)
Wed, 1 May 1996 07:38:29 -0500 (EST)

In defining the C++ bindings for MPI we would like to maximize use of
the const language feature. However, to do so, we need to know (e.g.,
from implementors) how constants the so-called constants really are.

The constants fall into the following categories which are listed
below along with our preliminary assessment of their const-ness.
Please comment on any of these, but especially on those marked with
"???".

Return codes -- these should all be const
Assorted constants -- these should all be const except MPI_BOTTOM
Error handling specifiers -- these should all be const
Maximum sizes for strings -- these should all be const
??? Elementary data types -- these should all be const
??? Data types for reduction -- these should all be const
??? Reserved communicators -- not const
Results of group and comm comparisons -- these should all be const
Environmental inquiry -- these should all be const
Collective operations -- these should all be const
Null handles -- these should all be const ???
Empty group -- const
Topologies -- these should all be const

Cheers,
Andrew Lumsdaine