Re: [boost] Re: A class template for an N-dimensional generic resizable array

From: Beman Dawes (beman_at_[hidden])
Date: 2000-12-03 17:12:22

At 08:38 PM 12/2/2000 -0500, Jeremy Siek wrote:

 >Blitz++ is a *very* full featured C++ multidimensional array library, 
with
 >much of the features modelled after F90 arrays. Not only does it have a
 >very rich subscripting and subarray notation, but it also provides array
 >arithmetic operations that have been optimized for good cache performance
 >using the expression template technique, which the author Todd Veldhuisen
 >co-invented with David Vandevoorde, and much much more.
 >
 >I think a boost multi-dim array library should in many ways look a
 >lot like Blitz++.
 >
 >However, there are some disadvantages in just how advanced Blitz is:
 >  - it does not compile on VC++
 >  - compilation times are large
 >  - only Todd can maintain it
 >
 >My MTL has similar problems :(
 >
 >I would like the boost multi-dim array library to be something like a
 >"blitz lite": simpler implementation, faster compile time, not as high
 >performance for arithmatic expressions.

There seems to be a lot of interest in a "blitz lite" N-dimensional generic 
resizable array.

Suggestions:

* Say upfront that it is lightweight compared to some solutions, and direct 
people who are interested in heavyweight solutions to the Blitz++ web site. 
http://www.oonumerics.org/blitz/

* Work extra hard (and document decisions in the docs rationale) to prevent 
feature bloat.  Don't let specification creep make a mockery of the "lite" 
objective.

--Beman