Query regarding the use/limitiations of traits in metaprogramming

Query regarding the use/limitiations of traits in metaprogramming I am trying to use traits pattern to assist in metaprogramming. I have the following problem. A traits class "trait" defers a decision to another traits class "trait1" depending on the result of a third traits class "traita". However, the compiler does not cooperate. The code below excutes but gives unexpected output (also shown). [Note:: The code has been reduced to the minimal to demonstrate the problem. I have a real task at hand not shown here.] template <class T> struct traita { BOOST_STATIC_CONSTANT(int, value=0); }; template <> struct traita<int> { BOOST_STATIC_CONSTANT(int, value=1); }; template struct trait1 {}; template <class T> struct trait { BOOST_STATIC_CONSTANT(int, value=traita<T>::value); typedef trait1 t1; }; int main(int argc, char* argv[]) { std::cout << typeid(trait<int>::t1).name() << std::endl << trait<int>::value << std::endl ; return 0; } output:: trait1 1 It would be nice if the first line of output were "trait1", but it isn't. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Craig Hicks