Re: [boost] Is there interest in e_float: Multiple-precisionfloatand special functions?

Subject: Re: [boost] Is there interest in e_float: Multiple-precisionfloatand special functions?
From: Christopher Kormanyos (e_float_at_[hidden])
Date: 2011-06-10 15:07:02

OK, thanks John.
 
For generic elementary transcendental functions, Icould either template them or utilize the virtual mechanism.
 
I would prefer the templates. Do you have a preference?
 Perhaps we should leave the option open to target up to millions of digits in future versions of e_float.(I mean quite a bit later, after building a solid basis for e_float in boost in the first place.)
See next paragraph.
 
In addition, I have another (unpublished) program, an older one, that has architecture similar to e_float's.
My other program goes up to ~100-million digits using multicore FFTs, etc.
It does 10^6 digits of pi using an AGM algo. in about 10 seconds. So its performance isn't too shabby. 
Sincerely, Chris

From: John Maddock <boost.regex_at_[hidden]>
To: boost_at_[hidden]
Sent: Friday, June 10, 2011 12:38 PM
Subject: Re: [boost] Is there interest in e_float: Multiple-precisionfloatand special functions?

> I believe that we cleared up the license issues in recent private mails.

Nod, apologies I dropped the ball on that one, but having now read http://cacm.acm.org/about-communications/author-center/acm-copyright-policy/ and talked to the other moderators, I think we're OK.  There'll be an email invitation to the sandbox shortly.

> In order to get the e_float core in the sandbox, we need to define how much we would initially like
> to have in the core.

> I might suggest:
> - The real data type e_float, its base class and its interfaces to the big-number back ends.
> - The specialization of std::numeric_limits<e_float>.
> - The complex data type (ef_complex)
> - Elementary transcendental functions (trig, power, log hyperbolic) for real and complex.
> - (optional) Possibly the Gamma function and Zeta functions for real and complex.

Nod.

Ultimately it would be nice if:

* The elementary functions could be made generic - it would be a huge help in getting other real-number types in Boost.
* The special functions could be merged with our existing (generic) special function code base.

HTH, John.

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