Boost program options with default values always present when using vm.count()

Question

I've been trying to validate my passed options with boost::program_options. My command has several modes, each of which have associated params that can be specified. What I'm trying to do is ensure these associated params are passed with the mode, i.e.

unicorn --fly --magic-wings-threshold

Where --fly is the mode and --magic-wings-threshold is an associated param. What I've noticed is if --magic-wings-threshold has a default value, e.g.

("magic-wings-threshold,w", po::value<double>(&wings_thresh)->default_value(0.8, "0.8"),
           "Magic wings maximum power"
)

then I can't use

if (vm.count("magic-wings-threshold")( {
    // do stuff
}

to detect if the user passed that param.

It appears that default value params are always passed and detected in vm.count(). Does anyone know a workaround or alternative?

Answer 1

use boost::program_options::variable_value::defaulted()

if (vm["magic-wings-threshold"].defaulted())  {
    // assume defaulted value
} else {
    // one was provided
}