Re: [boost] Yet another bignum type

From: Deane Yang (deane_yang_at_[hidden])
Date: 2006-11-30 15:21:05

Martin Bonner wrote:
>> In my opinion software design is not mathematical proof that one
>> design is better than another, but there is the mathematical fact
>> that the set of unsigned integers is a subset of the integers, and
>> the set of modular integers is a subset of the integers. 
> 
> 
> But your classes do not represent the SET of integers and the SET of
> modular integers.  They represent the FIELDS (you include the operators
> - and the class wouldn't be much use if they didn't.
> 
> The modular integers do NOT form a sub-field of the integers, which is
> why you shouldn't use derivation to represent them.
> 

As mathematician who also writes C++ code, I would like to concur with 
both Martin's opinion and his rationale. I think he put it very well.