-----Original Message----- From: boost-bounces@lists.boost.org [mailto:boost-bounces@lists.boost.org] On Behalf Of John Maddock Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2011 1:41 PM To: boost@lists.boost.org Subject: [boost] RFC: Multiprecision arithmetic library
Folks,
I'd like to get some feedback on a multiprecision arithmetic library I've been preparing for possible Boost inclusion. The code is in the sandbox under the "big_number" directory. Docs can be viewed online here:
intro.html
The main features are:
* A generic front-end that's capable of wrapping almost any type that's a "number". The front end is expression template enabled and handles all the expression optimization and code reduction. For example it's possible to evaluate a polynomial using Horner's rule without a single temporary variable being created. * A series of backends that need only provide a reduced interface and set of operations, implement
actual arithmetic, currently supported backends are:
Integer Types ~~~~~~~~~ 1/ GMP (MPZ). 2/ libtommath.
Rational Types ~~~~~~~~~~ 1/ GMP (MPQ). [ But note that the integer types can also be used as template aruments to Boost.Rational ]
Floating Point Types ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1/ GMP (MPF) 2/ MPFR 3/ cpp_float - an all C++ Boost-licensed backend based on Christopher Kormanyos' e_float code. [ Note these three types are fully compatible with Boost.Math Trunk - so you get full standard
http://svn.boost.org/svn/boost/sandbox/big_number/libs/multiprecision/doc/ht... the library plus
special function support ]
There's still a bunch to do, but I'd like to see what folks think, and where the main priorities should be before submission.
This is a really important development, long overdue as a tool in the Boost kit box, made possible by Christopher Kormanyos arbitrary precision floating point library which is free of licensing difficulties, so the whole setup *can* be Boost license. (Those who can use other restricted licence packages like GMP can still do so and get a modest improvement in speed). It should allow user to move seamlessly (well fairly ;-) from the built-in types to much higher precision types. This will allow tasks which can only be done now by moving to arbitrary precision like MatLab or Mathmetica to be done in C++. Only those bits of code that need high precision need to use it, leaving most of the code in C++ built-in types. Maximally accurate long double values can be computed and saved. The cunning expression template implementation that John has produced offers some useful speedups (but as he says in the docs, it doesn't give quite the speedup that the over-optimistic might expect). The other downside (as he also warns) is that not all existing code can use it without some code changes. I fell straight into this pit by trying to use Boost.Test to check cpp_float IO exactly as I had with Christopher Kormanyos's multiprecision. I had to use the Boost lightweight test version instead, not a big problem, and one that can probably be 'cured' by some changes within Boost.Test. So I see a need for *both* John's expression template enabled version *and* Christopher Kormanyos version. So keep at it both of you! Checks using Boost.Test also show that IO (after some grrrring by both Chris and John - it's a really, really tiresome task) does as close as is reasonable to expect in matching the IO of built-ins like double. This is highly desirable feature IMO. Boost.Test shows a reassuring number of decimal digits when displaying failure messages! As for priority, personally I think that the most important aspect is a Boost-license version of integer and floating-point (with rational a slightly lower priority). Of course, for others being able to use the 'gold-standard' GMP and MPFR may be more important. Paul --- Paul A. Bristow, Prizet Farmhouse, Kendal LA8 8AB UK +44 1539 561830 07714330204 pbristow@hetp.u-net.com