Re: [boost] [xint] Boost.XInt formal review

Subject: Re: [boost] [xint] Boost.XInt formal review
From: Jarrad Waterloo (jwaterloo_at_[hidden])
Date: 2011-03-02 13:14:22

This library is useful as is but I would suggest a few additional 
features for convenience especially among the most common use cases.
1) convenience functions preferably, documented example is acceptable, 
for extracting a integer, int, long int ... starting at a particular 
unsigned bit offset for a particular length
2) convenience functions preferably, documented example is acceptable, 
for creating a mask starting at a particular unsigned bit offset for a 
particular length
3) examples of using this if possible with boost::date in order to 
efficient work with dates outside the existing limits
4) conversion to and from dynamic_bitset [already suggested just seconding]
5) conversion to and from bitset

For all those other reviewers who may complain about performance when 
comparing with GMP, please bear in mind that large numbers are useful to 
domains other than security were assembly level performance is nice but 
doesn't outweigh other concerns such as portability and ease of use. 
This library and others much needed even overdue for the C++ non C 
community.