> > 3) Statistical methods and tests, in addition to the random number
> > generators on the list. (ie. regressions)
> > 4) Numerical optimization library
>
> My thinking so far is that Blitz++ should aim to provide a solid
> "base environment" for scientific computing: vectors, matrices,
> arrays, tensors, FFTs, linear algebra, etc.
Part of the reason I think optimization and statistical methods should be
closely coupled with Blitz is that they typically reduce to linear algebra.
A perfect parallel is the FFT algorithm-- if that benefits from template
expressions due to more accessible syntax as well as better performance,
then so should other algorithms.
> But my feeling is that these things should be built on top
> of Blitz++, rather than being part of it.
This is a very good point-- maybe there needs to be a separation between the
"core" functionality and derived libraries. Then a hierarchy of how modules
can be built on top of it. Once done, we can then decide where to draw the line
between Blitz and contributed library.
An example of this can be found in the current C++ standard library-- aside
from a few real circular dependencies, the standard allows me to design
algorithms that are interoperable with many data structures based on
container and iterator requirements. I don't advocate complete STL/Standard
Library Compatibility for container and iterator requirements, but some sort
of basic guidelines would certainly help.
In that vein, a requirements spec for fixed sized vectors, arrays, matrices
should be worked out as well as the operations that are supported by the
template expression engine. With that and a few traits classes,
algorithms can be designed to the specification, not the current
implementation.
-Kevin
-- -----------> Kevin Jacobs <-----------|-------> (216) 778-8487 <-------- S.A.G.E. Project Technical Coordinator | Department of Epidemiology & System Administrator | & Biostatistics Internet E-mail: jacobs@darwin.cwru.edu | Case Western Reserve University ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------- blitz-dev list -------------------------------- * To subscribe/unsubscribe: mail to majordomo@oonumerics.org, with "subscribe blitz-dev" or "unsubscribe blitz-dev" in the body of the message * Blitz++ web page: http://oonumerics.org/blitz/
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