Re: [boost] Re: Standardization of Boost libraries

From: Chuck Allison (cda_at_[hidden])
Date: 2002-03-10 19:47:18

Please pardon my naievete, but isn't the underlying numeric type to rational
a template parameter (I don't have the class handy)? Isn't it equipped
therefore to use an instantiation based on unlimited precision integers? If
not, could you please explain why not. (I assume that an unlimited precision
integer package would overload the pertinent operators).

----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Moore" <gustav_at_[hidden]>
To: "Beman Dawes" <bdawes_at_[hidden]>
Cc: <boost_at_[hidden]>
Sent: Sunday, March 10, 2002 3:43 PM
Subject: [boost] Re: Standardization of Boost libraries

> On Sun, 10 Mar 2002 17:31:03 -0500, Beman Dawes <bdawes_at_[hidden]> wrote:
>
> >At 05:27 AM 3/8/2002, Moore, Paul wrote:
> > >It's arguable that these sort of issues make rational<> inappropriate
for
> > >the standard library. And it's *definitely* arguable that
> > >unlimited-precision integers are more appropriate, and should be
> > >considered
> > >first. (One slight issue - there's no candidate implementation of
> > >unlimited-precision integers, yet!)
> >
> >That sounds reasonable.  If you would like, I'll ask the committee to
table
> >rational pending unlimited-precision integers.
>
> I'm not entirely convinced of the need to go that far. It's certainly
> worth pointing out to the committee that rationals based on
> limited-precision integers, although they are an "obvious" thing to many
> users, suffer from subtle precision and rounding issues (assuming they
> hadn't already noted the point).
>
> If the committee feels that this makes rationals not ready for
> standardisation in the absence of an unlimited-precision integer class,
> I am happy with that. If they feel that there is still some value in
> providing a canonical definition of rationals in any case, I'm happy to
> go with that as well.
>
> [In other words, as long as the committee is made aware of the issue,
> that's enough for me - I don't have the experience to judge what way the
> decision should go].
>
> Paul.
>
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