> The C++ WG is like any other open source project, even when it doesn't look like it. In many ways, it isn't. > Someone has to bring a written spec to WG21 m

> The C++ WG is like any other open source project, even when it doesn't look like it. In many ways, it isn't. > Someone has to bring a written spec to WG21 meetings and push it through. That is one way it is not like (most) other FOSS projects. In a typical FOSS project, there are bug reports and feature/change requests that people file. They don't have to write a full article merely for their idea to be given the time of day. Certainly not have to appear physically at meetings held elsewhere in the world. Of course, the question of the extent to which ideas and requests from the public are considered seriously and fairly is a spectrum - some FOSS projects give them more attention and consider them seriously, others do not. vis-a-vis WG21 the "public" is, to some extent: Compiler author teams, standard library author teams, national bodies, and large corporations using C++. This is perhaps not entirely avoidable, since there are millions of C++ users, but still. Anyway, what I described isn't just some personal ideas of mine, it is for the most part ideas which have been put forward before the committee, either directly in submitted papers or indirectly via public discussion in fora the committee is aware of.