[boost] Multiple or union range iterators

From: Piccolboni, Antonio (Antonio_Piccolboni_at_[hidden])
Date: 2004-07-19 16:57:24

Hi,
 I have n arrays of float and I need to take median of all the 
values. I have a nifty templatized implementation median(start 
stop) and I don't have the space to make a copy of all the 
arrays. Well I do most of the times but I like zero-copy 
implementations. So I was thinking that I could use an 
itarator that spans multiple ranges. Something like

Vector<float a,b>;
[fill them]

Multiple_range_iterator<vector<float::iterator> 
start(a.end(),b.begin()), stop(start); 
start = a.begin();
stop = b.end();
cout << median(start, stop);

Of course this needs to be extended to n ranges. The intended 
meaning is that incrementing start would apply the increment 
operator of the argument type until it reaches a.end(), where 
it would jump straight to b.begin(). You can imagine how 
random jumps and comparisons are defined. I guess < would 
bring trouble. Well, the question is: has anyone seen anything 
like this? Does it make sense? Should I start from 
iterator_adaptor? Any suggestions (no, "go get another job" is 
not admissible)? Thanks

Antonio