Chapter 2

Getting Started

2.1 Library Basics

The trick to writing any useful library of source code is to build a solid foundation and work outward from it. First, a problem along with allowable solution parameters should be identified and analyzed. In this particular case, the inability to accommodate multiple precision integers is the problem. Furthermore, the solution must be written as portable source code that is reasonably efficient across several different computer platforms.

After a foundation is formed, the remainder of the library can be designed and implemented in a hierarchical fashion. That is, to implement the lowest level dependencies first and work toward the most abstract functions last. For example, before implementing a modular ...

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