-----Original Message----- From: boost-bounces@lists.boost.org [mailto:boost-bounces@lists.boost.org] On Behalf Of Seth Bunce Sent: Friday, March 26, 2010 7:45 AM To: boost@lists.boost.org Subject: [boost] Bignum Library Interest?
I was thinking about making a bignum library for boost and wanted to gauge interest. I've read through the boost mailing list archives on this topic.
I've seen mp_math in the vault by Kevin Sopp (AKA baraclese). I'm not sure if he's still working on it (he hasn't updated it in a while). What I want to do is similar.
You should liaise with him?
I made a bignum frontend with libtommath backend. This is a rough version of what I want to do. I thought I'd see if anyone was interested before I put more effort in to it.
http://seth.dnsdojo.net/code/mpa.zip Note: This only compiles on Linux. I've read the boost library submission process guidelines and I will make this library conform to them if I continue to work on it. Note: "include/mpa/mpa.hpp" is the most interesting part. Look at "lib_src/libmpa/mpa.cpp" for the libtommath backend stuff.
Looks promising, but many believe that it is important to be able to switch to use GMP - if performance demands and license allows.
I think the project should have these specifications.
Boost Library Name: MPA (Multi-Precision Arithmetic) Namespace: boost::mpa::
Guidelines: 1. Use PIMPL (to make different backends easier in the distant future).
But see Barend Gehrels outline of a 'nuemric_adaptor' to make the switching work.
2. DO NOT focus on backend work. Focus on making the frontend nice. Use libtommath backend (boost compatible license, portable, well tested, not as fast as GMP). 3. DO NOT focus on performance. Library won't get off the ground if it is required to be as fast as GMP from the start. 4. DO NOT implement floating point. Similar reason to #3.
-----------------------------------
Are any of the guidelines bad?
These look OK to me. But would add - must be portable to multiplatform - must be Boost tests. - must be Boost licence throughout (you might simply get your 'other' author to agree to this?) Paul --- Paul A. Bristow Prizet Farmhouse Kendal, UK LA8 8AB +44 1539 561830, mobile +44 7714330204 pbristow@hetp.u-net.com