The boost config manual does not explicitly address the case where one is attempting to determine the relative lack of C++98 compliance of a cross-compiler (e.g., for an embedded system) that is not already within Boost's supported set of compilers.
[Christopher Kormanyos] Dave, may I ask what cross compilers you are considering for your investigations?
I am not sure that I can say precisely which, but I feel safe enough saying that none of them are intended to run under Unix or Linux. Unfortunately, this means I can't directly use "configure" as per John Maddock's suggestion. Though, it is true that some of the compilers run under Windows, so perhaps I could install Cygwin to obtain ./configure capability... or, perhaps I could try running under Wine. For the others, who knows...
Although I can not answer your question directly, I am also very interested in finding ways to adapt or extend Boost support to embedded systems compilers --- even for small micros. I am particularly interested in extending the range of Boost and C++ to compilers from suppliers such as IAR systems, Green Hills, and also selected GCC crosses.
I am also sensing increased interest in the Boost and C++ communities regarding compilers not running *nix, Win32. There is, in my opinion, lots of work to do here --- especially when plain "int" is 16-bits in width or if an STL is lacking, or etc.
Int is 32 bits on most, if not all, of the platforms that I was considering when I wrote my email. That said, there appears to be a surprising amount of (hobbyist) retrocomputing activitly over the past few years. So, I don't doubt at all that there might be interest even where plain "int" is even just 8 bits! Dave P.S. I ordered your book recently, Chris, and am looking forward to reading it when it arrives.