Re: [boost] [boost::endian] Summary of discussion #1

Subject: Re: [boost] [boost::endian] Summary of discussion #1
From: vicente.botet (vicente.botet_at_[hidden])
Date: 2010-06-14 11:22:37

From: "Stewart, Robert" <Robert.Stewart_at_[hidden]>
To: <boost_at_[hidden]>
Sent: Monday, June 14, 2010 1:47 PM
Subject: Re: [boost] [boost::endian] Summary of discussion #1

> 
> Terry Golubiewski wrote:
>> Rob Stewart wrote:
>>
>> > I suggested compressed_endian_integer.  See my reply in
>> > that other part of the thread for subsequent discussion
>> > of such names.
>>
>> I think the "endian" parameter is of secondary importance and
>> should be removed from the name: compressed_integer,
>> packed_int, etc.  The type should still have an endianness
>> template paramenter, but it should default to "native".
> 
> If the type is in a namespace that indicates the handling of endianness, I'd agree.  Otherwise, I think "endian" necessary in the name.  If it is hoisted into the boost namespace, for example, "compressed_integer" is less useful.
> 
>> typedef packed_int<3, signed, native> int24_t;
>> typedef packed_int<3, unsigned, native> uint24_t;
> 
> Using "int" in the name is short, but misleading.  The underlying type may be char, short, int, long, etc., I imagine.  At the least, "int" should be spelled "integer."
> 
> I still don't like "packed" for reasons I've outlined elsewhere.  Vicente disliked my "reduced" suggestion (and I now recognize the mathematical connotation that might be problematic in it), so I'm not sure what else to use yet.  I think in another chain of replies there was progress in another direction, so I won't pursue names further here (especially as this reply is being sent so much later than originally intended!).

Even if we don't have yet a clear vision of what is the endianness of a floating point and that we are reduced to interger types, I propose we name it boost::endian_holder as it is aware of the endianess and can contain UDT, as time_point, quantity::si::length ....

    template <typename Endian, typename T, std::size_t n_bytes=8*sizeof(T),
      typename Alignment = alignment::aligned>
    class endian_holder;

I will let the name boost::endian_integer or boost::integer::endian for the class providing also the arithmetic operations.

Best,
Vicente