[boost] Re: Rational Numbers - abs() again

From: jsiek_at_[hidden]
Date: 1999-12-20 15:09:46

Save the abs()! :)

abs() is one of the more commonly used operations on numbers in
general. I think people would find it very surprising if it was
not there.

Also, why punish those who have good compilers? If you really don't
want to deal with the VC++ junk, just ifdef out the abs() function
for VC++ (and document the fact), but leave it in for the others.

Cheers,

Jeremy

Moore, Paul writes:
 > From: jsiek_at_[hidden] [mailto:jsiek_at_[hidden]]
 > > 
 > > I meant to suggest that you put the MSVCPP macro in your library's
 > > config header, with something like this:
 > > 
 > > #if defined(_MSC_VER) && !defined(__MWERKS__) ...
 > > #define MSVCPP
 > > #endif
 > 
 > OK, that's fine - if someone can define the ... bit for me.
 > 
 > But I still think that removing abs() is better. Can anybody who is
 > genuinely attached to having an abs() function for rationals, please speak
 > up. Otherwise it goes. I'd like to get a working version of rational<>
 > released. I can put abs() back in version N, when the larger issues on this
 > whole topic have been clarified.
 > 
 > If no-one starts a "save the abs" campaign, I'll produce a demo class which
 > exposes the problem clearly.
 > 
 > Paul.
 > 
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