shared_array lacks get_deleter method

[Matthew Carter <r_q_einstein-boostbugs@…>]

shared_ptr has a get_deleter() method, which is very useful. shared_array does not have a get_deleter() method.

Since the deleter for a shared_array is passed to the constructor by value, there is no straightforward way* for the caller to get a pointer or reference to it. If the caller needs access to the deleter object's state or methods, which is entirely reasonable, the caller has no way to get it.

A get_deleter() method should be added to shared_array to meet this requirement and for consistency with the shared_ptr class.

*True, the caller can pass the deleter wrapped in a container object that holds a reference to the deleter, but that's a contortion that should not be necessary.

[Marshall Clow]

shared_array is part of the smart_ptr library, not Boost.Array.

[Peter Dimov]

(In [75390]) Add get_deleter for shared_array. Refs #4493.

[Peter Dimov]

(In [75754]) Merge [75390] to release. Fixes #4493.