This commit revisits the `cast` module in libcore and libstd, and scrutinizes
all functions inside of it. The result was to remove the `cast` module entirely,
folding all functionality into the `mem` module. Specifically, this is the fate
of each function in the `cast` module.
* transmute - This function was moved to `mem`, but it is now marked as
#[unstable]. This is due to planned changes to the `transmute`
function and how it can be invoked (see the #[unstable] comment).
For more information, see RFC 5 and #12898
* transmute_copy - This function was moved to `mem`, with clarification that is
is not an error to invoke it with T/U that are different
sizes, but rather that it is strongly discouraged. This
function is now #[stable]
* forget - This function was moved to `mem` and marked #[stable]
* bump_box_refcount - This function was removed due to the deprecation of
managed boxes as well as its questionable utility.
* transmute_mut - This function was previously deprecated, and removed as part
of this commit.
* transmute_mut_unsafe - This function doesn't serve much of a purpose when it
can be achieved with an `as` in safe code, so it was
removed.
* transmute_lifetime - This function was removed because it is likely a strong
indication that code is incorrect in the first place.
* transmute_mut_lifetime - This function was removed for the same reasons as
`transmute_lifetime`
* copy_lifetime - This function was moved to `mem`, but it is marked
`#[unstable]` now due to the likelihood of being removed in
the future if it is found to not be very useful.
* copy_mut_lifetime - This function was also moved to `mem`, but had the same
treatment as `copy_lifetime`.
* copy_lifetime_vec - This function was removed because it is not used today,
and its existence is not necessary with DST
(copy_lifetime will suffice).
In summary, the cast module was stripped down to these functions, and then the
functions were moved to the `mem` module.
transmute - #[unstable]
transmute_copy - #[stable]
forget - #[stable]
copy_lifetime - #[unstable]
copy_mut_lifetime - #[unstable]
[breaking-change]
for `~str`/`~[]`.
Note that `~self` still remains, since I forgot to add support for
`Box<self>` before the snapshot.
How to update your code:
* Instead of `~EXPR`, you should write `box EXPR`.
* Instead of `~TYPE`, you should write `Box<Type>`.
* Instead of `~PATTERN`, you should write `box PATTERN`.
[breaking-change]
