From: matz@... (Yukihiro Matsumoto)
Date: 2004-04-06T16:18:10+09:00
Subject: Re: Proposal: New Bignum

Hi,

In message "Proposal: New Bignum"
    on 04/04/06, "Evan Webb" <evan@fallingsnow.net> writes:

|And thus I propose that we integrate MBignum into the ruby core as Bignum,
|replacing the current implementation. This will give ruby more builtin
|mathematical power and allow other core developers the ability to
|concentrate on other issues. Licensing wise, there is no problem. Tom St.
|Denis, the author of libtommath, has released libtommath as public domain. I
|believe that we should of course give him credit if and when we integrate
|his work.

I'm not sure whether replacing current bignum is a good idea.  The
integer values in Ruby go back and forth between Fixnum and Bignum
according to its value range, which might not be a desired behavior
for cryptogram calculation etc.

There are several options:

  * replace the current bignum, adding new features to Fixnum as
    well.

  * bundle MBignum extension along with standard distribution.

  * let it be standalone extension.

  * or something else.


							matz.