Geometry Boost List: [ggl] what is an algorithm

Subject: [ggl] what is an algorithm
From: Mateusz Loskot (mateusz)
Date: 2009-04-25 17:49:52

Barend Gehrels wrote:
> Mateusz Loskot wrote:
>> Barend Gehrels wrote:
>>   
>>> Is "loop" an algorithm? Now in util.
>>>     
>>
>> It's unclear to me how it's different to for_each.
>   
> Sure, I was not clear enough. I didn't explain that for me also the
> util/loop was strange. It used to be a sort of helper-algorithm and
> therefore it was there. But it is about the same as for_each. Only
> difference is that it can break out.
> The loop was one of the first developed, being used in algorithms as
> within, area etc. However, it makes them also more complex and I know
> prefer using iterators.

I see. Thanks for giving some background.

>>> The easiest is to have them all in one folder algorithms, users then
>>> don't have to think about what kind it is. Do you agree with that? The
>>> folder will have dozens of files, but that is how it is, the boost/mpl
>>> folder contains 182 files.
>>>
>>
>> It would be good to have it scattered in some categories, but on the
>> other hand if categories are not obvious (or natural), then possible
>> structure may be ambiguous to users.
>> Looks like this is an issue in GGL, so I like the idea of single
>> collection of files as you are suggesting.
>> Or, may be a few obvious categories could be identified like
>> OGC algorithms. This way GIS-oriented users could easily identify
>> where to look for what they need.
>
> I've thought about that also but the Boost folks are not that interested
> in OGC. They just want geometry and things handling geometry. Creating
> an OGC distinction is for GIS users maybe natural and handy, but other
> users (who still want e.g. "distance") will look very strange at that.
> Besides that many non-OGC things (as simplify) are great for GIS users
> as well.

Your reasoning makes sense to me.

> So I'm currently still favouring creating one folder.

I support this idea.

Best regards,
-- 
Mateusz Loskot, http://mateusz.loskot.net
Charter Member of OSGeo, http://osgeo.org