-----Original Message----- From: boost-bounces@lists.boost.org [mailto:boost-bounces@lists.boost.org] On Behalf Of Josh Quigley Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2012 11:02 PM To: boost@lists.boost.org Subject: Re: [boost] [decimal] Proposed portable implementation of std::decimal
I believe that a portable implementation of the proposed std::decimal (eg Decimal Types for C++ would be useful.
Of course this is definitely something Boost needs in its tool chest. But to 'sell' it to Boost, I think it is important to relate to commercial offerings and previous proposals to WG21 C++ Standards.
So say how and why you have done it differently?
I do not intend to create an implementation - I am simply wiring up the existing DecNumber, Intel Decimal Float implementations (both IEEE compliant) to the std::decimal interface. I believe the associated licences are compatible with boost being able to distribute this, but that would be the first thing to be checked.
This is certainly something you need to be *absolutely certain* about before doing anything. Many users rely on the whole Boost collection being totally free-licensed, so anything with any uncertainty about licensing is useless. Boost is punctilious about licensing. Perhaps you should post your assessment here?
I have no idea how this differs from any other offering (apart from saying I hope it gives identical results to gcc's standard decimal) apart from pointing out I haven't found any C++ wrappers for the decimal floats that I would use 'off the shelf' in the same way I use boost libraries. I'm working on a somewhat blind assumption that if gcc is implementing this interface, it is probably the closest thing to what will eventually end up in the standard.
If there are other implementations that do roughly the same thing, I'd be really interested to take a look, as I've no desire to reinvent the wheel!
I have no knowledge of the subject to contribute. As far as exposing your work to users, the usual method is to get write access to the boost-sandbox from a moderator. The layout of the folder and files must conform to the Boost guidelines. Docs and tests, preferably using Boost.Test are essential. And you will need to find some potential users - this is a niche area ? Good luck Paul --- Paul A. Bristow, Prizet Farmhouse, Kendal LA8 8AB UK +44 1539 561830 07714330204 pbristow@hetp.u-net.com