RE: [boost] Re: rationals initialization bug

From: Gary Powell (Gary.Powell_at_[hidden])
Date: 2000-11-29 17:40:03

> As a minor syntax issue, I would like to suggest static member
> functions instead of global ones, for example
> 
>   template<class T>
>   class rational {
>   public:
>     static rational exact_from_double(double x);
>     // ...
>   };
> 
I would prefer that "float" and "double" occur nowhere in the code for
rational.hpp 

Reasoning: is that not too long ago I had to write code for a CPU that did
not have a floating point processor. Linking in the floating point
simulation library was expensive, slow, increased my executable size and not
allowed in the released product. 

As C++ is still used in embedded systems, some of which may still use this
processor, I suggest that if there is an alternative which allows
independent linking choose it. i.e. Ship the conversion algorithm in a
separate file. Users who don't require the conversion won't get it. Should a
future algorithm for conversion prove better for a particular application,
the programmer would be able to change it with greater ease. It would also
emphasize what algorithm was chosen, and that in fact it is replaceable.

  Yours,
 -gary-

gary.powell_at_[hidden]