stdlib: quaternions

[expikr]

Discuss, whether quaternions should be deliberately out-of-scope for the stdlib and best left to third party geometry libraries, or if a rudimentary datatype could be added for other libraries to build upon?

[nektro]

Duplicate #947

[expikr]

That one was a general discussion on math types at the language level, focused on usability features like operator overloading. This one is for the stdlib, specifically for whether or not quat has a place in the stdlib at all.

[slonik-az]

Quaternions should NOT be in the sdtlib. It is too esoteric and multiple implementations exist for different use-cases. Clearly in the realm of specialized libraries.

[ajahraus]

Are Complex numbers in the stdlib?

[mlugg]

std.math.Complex

[slonik-az]

Complex numbers naturally arise as an algebraic extension of real numbers when you take operations like sqrt(-1). And set of complex numbers are algebraically closed, i.e. all algebraic operations on complex numbers result in complex numbers. Quaternions, on the other hand is a different construction all together. They are non-commutative and are an instance of Clifford algebra. They are very useful in graphics, for quaternions are naturally related to spacial rotations. Graphics, physics simulations, gaming libraries are the natural places to implement Quaternions.

[expikr]

Also note that complex numbers are in the C99 spec and, if I understood correctly, there are efforts to move them out from the zig std and into the language itself. (#16278)

[andrewrk]

Duplicate of #947. This issue is also too vague. @expikr please keep your open non-bug issue count below 5. You are currently at 16, so you're already 11 over budget.