[docs] unclear how to create a Box<[T]> from a pointer and a length

ee88dd7
Opened by gnzlbg at 2025-04-04 17:16:55

I wanted to create a Box<[T]> from a pointer and a length and neither the docs of slice or Box were helpful.

It wasn't hard (Box::from_raw(slice::from_raw_parts_mut(ptr, len) as *mut [u8])), but the experience could have been better.

  1. Writing docs for this should be pretty straightforward, it's just a matter of deciding where they should go. Anyone have thoughts? Maybe at the top level for the slice primitive?

    Corey Farwell at 2018-02-03 05:02:59

  2. Yes, I would agree that top-level slice is a good spot.

    Steve Klabnik at 2018-05-29 09:08:06

  3. The above linked PR proposed documenting this, but in discussion the usefulness of documenting this combination was questioned and there was a question about the specific need leading the submitter to this solution. Perhaps a better solution could be suggested if the underlying need was known?

    @gnzlbg do you remember in what context you used this?

    Marijn Schouten at 2025-04-04 17:16:55