Rational library update (at last!)

From: Paul Moore (gustav_at_[hidden])
Date: 2001-02-05 15:28:25

I've uploaded a new version of the rational numbers library to the 
boost vault (folder rational, file rational_2001-02-05.zip). I'd 
appreciate it if someone with CVS access could update the CVS 
repository for me.

Highlights of this version:

1. Much updated documentation, including sections on rationale 
(which may help explain some of the issues behind the other 
changes below) and performance (giving some indications for users-
 of user-defined integer types).

2. Reworked abs() which no longer relies on Koenig lookup (see 
the rationale for details).

3. Updated operator>>, enforcing stricter format checks.

4. Includes Stephen Silver's regression test program (updated 
somewhat). In the longer term I intend to look at the Boost testing 
framework.

5. Many updates for efficiency. However, the use of std::swap() in 
gcd() as an optimisation, which was previously discussed on the 
list, has been dropped (although it is still available if the user 
defines a macro symbol, BOOST_RATIONAL_USE_STD_SWAP) - 
see the rationale for details.

6. Lots of changes to make the code more robust when used with 
a user-defined IntType (again, thanks for much of this to Stephen 
Silver).

Once again, thanks to all who have contributed assistance and 
tolerated my often simplistic questions.

Paul.