Re: [boost] TR1 Mathematical Special Functions

From: Paul A Bristow (pbristow_at_[hidden])
Date: 2006-08-08 05:18:45

|  -----Original Message-----
|  From: boost-bounces_at_[hidden] 
|  [mailto:boost-bounces_at_[hidden]] On Behalf Of AlisdairM
|  Sent: 06 August 2006 08:02
|  To: boost_at_[hidden]
|  Subject: Re: [boost] TR1 Mathematical Special Functions
|  
|  Joel Eidsath wrote:
|  
|  > What is the status of the TR1 math special functions in regards to
|  > standardization, etc.? As I recall, there were problems in the TR1
|  > specification as far as error boundaries go.
|  
|  Special math have been "standardized" as part of Libary TR1, which is
|  now an official ISO standard - i.e. the work is finished bar 
|  processing the defect reports.
|  
|  For C++0x, all of TR1 has been adopted, with the exception of the
|  special math functions.  There was a major concern with cost of the
|  feature outside the Library group.  And note that cost goes beyond
|  simply implementing the library - at least one vendor 
|  mentioned that if
|  they were given an implementation free of charge they still could not
|  afford it, due to increased testing/QA costs.

This says to me that the tail is wagging the dog!

ISO 9000 allows a vendor to provide whatever testing he promises:
so a vendor only needs to specify what parts are provided with his testing,
and what are provided with the Boost tests.

Users get great benefit from standards that simply say:

"If you are going to do this, do it this way."

The problem is an opinion by vendors that customers expect them to provide
all the Library.

IMO, they don't, or shouldn't.

In any case, because of the way the standards are written, vendors can
provide a conforming implementation by simply returning
std::numeric_limits<>::quiet_NaN() for all functions!

And finally, considering the record of somewhat casual compliance with the
C++ Standard/Library by vendors, I consider this is a bit rich.

Paul

---
Paul A Bristow
Prizet Farmhouse, Kendal, Cumbria UK LA8 8AB
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pbristow_at_[hidden]