-----Original Message----- From: boost-bounces@lists.boost.org [mailto:boost-bounces@lists.boost.org] On Behalf Of Kamil Witecki Sent: Monday, February 15, 2010 9:46 AM To: Boost@lists.boost.org Subject: [boost] [Boost][gsoc]Intrest - big integer library
I'd like to propose new library for boost - a Big Integer library. Boost has plenty of applications build upon it and some of them has to use integers greater that those ensured by C++ standard. What is more some of them needs even Pythonlike "unbounded" integers. What I am proposing is library implementing cross-platform library supporting such integers working as standard arithmetic type.
Is it a good proposal for GSoC project and who would you recommend as a possible mentor for such project?
Of course, there is still a need for a Boost library to handle big ints. But there are many conflicting 'absolutely essential requirements'. For some a Boost licence is essential, for others using the definitive but limited license GMP bignum is fine. For some 256 bits would be useful, for others they must be infinitely expandable. For some if it gets the right answer, time is unimportant - for others speed is paramount. You should search through the archives for at least the following to see what a minefield it is! bigint Big integer library by Richard Peters mp_int by Kevin Sopp Introduction of numeric_adaptor - switching the underlying mechanism. Arbitrary precision arithmetic [mp_math] a multi precision signed integer library Using NTL and MPFR Many of the problems are also in testing and documentation to get something that is good enough to review, revise, and revise and get accepted during the GSoC period. Good luck! Paul PS Of course there is also a need for floating point ;-) But this is an even bigger can of worms! --- Paul A. Bristow Prizet Farmhouse Kendal, UK LA8 8AB +44 1539 561830, mobile +44 7714330204 pbristow@hetp.u-net.com