Geometry Boost List: [geometry] io - WKB

Subject: [geometry] io - WKB
From: Mats Taraldsvik (mats.taraldsvik_at_[hidden])
Date: 2013-07-18 15:04:18

Hi all,

I think that WKB io is an important missing feature, so I've started to 
implement WKB reader and writer, based on the existing implementation 
for WKT.

Is anyone working on this already?

I'm wondering what data structure I should use to store the binary data in.
- WKT uses basic_ostream, which is possible with binary using the 
.write(char*, numberofbytes) member function, but does this make more 
sense than, say, a std::vector<(unsigned) char>?
- Is there an obvious choice for efficiency reasons?
- Should I use char or unsigned char?
- How closely should I mimic the WKT interface? (since it is text and 
binary, and the formats differ, is there a point in keeping the 
interfaces similar)?
- A solution could be to read and write HEX strings using an interface 
that is similar to the one for WKT, and a different interface for raw 
binary arrays. Opinions?

I consider WKB the right choice when performance matters, so we should 
strive to make it efficient.

Regards,
Mats Taraldsvik