Re: [boost] [gsoc] fixed size matrix class?

Subject: Re: [boost] [gsoc] fixed size matrix class?
From: troy d. straszheim (troy_at_[hidden])
Date: 2009-03-28 13:37:50

Emil Dotchevski wrote:
> On Sat, Mar 28, 2009 at 5:41 AM, troy d. straszheim <troy_at_[hidden]> wrote:
>> Emil Dotchevski wrote:
>>> On Fri, Mar 27, 2009 at 2:37 PM, Kornel Kisielewicz
>>> <kornel.kisielewicz_at_[hidden]> wrote:
>>>> On Fri, Mar 27, 2009 at 9:33 PM, troy d. straszheim <troy_at_[hidden]>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>> One thing boost doesn't have is a fixed-size matrix class, which could
>>>>> be
>>>>> used with boost::array as a building block for a lot of the more
>>>>> game-specific tech involved.  Seems to me a boost::matrix class
>>>>> (essentially
>>>>> a 2d boost::array) would be of reasonable scope/difficulty for a GSOC
>>>>> project.  If there's time left over, one could investigate making
>>>>> optimized
>>>>> rotations, dot projects, reflections and the like as freestanding
>>>>> functions/operators in a special namespace somewhere.
>>>> And this is definitively what I'd also like to do. As it seems an
>>>> important topic, I'd make it the base of my proposal.
>>> A 2D boost array is an overkill for a boost matrix class. In fact the
>>> whole point of a game-developer-centric matrix/vector support is to
>>> make the types simple and to the point.
>> Well I'd like to stop talking about games, I don't think we're getting
>> anywhere.  We're trying to find a project that fits into boost somewhere and
>> is of appropriate scope for GSOC.   I still maintain that a fixed-size
>> matrix class could be one.  This has a well-defined scope and a good chance
>> of success.  But maybe somebody can argue that we shouldn't have a
>> fixed-size matrix class?
>>
>> If the student later uses in game code and finds out it isn't exactly what
>> he wants, fine.
> 
> You can't just design some interface and then see if someone is going
> to use it. You have to address the specific needs of the client.
 >
> Who and why would use the fixed size matrix class?

Same reasons that you would use a 2d C array, I suppose.  You'd prefer 
the C++ version for the iterators, range-checking, the ability to choose 
row/column major storage format,  etc.

This thread is now 50 emails long and the student is basically back 
where he started.  We have a certain obligation to steer him towards 
something appropriate for GSOC.

-t