[gmpi] Re: Decision Time: 8.3

On Mon, Sep 15, 2003 at 02:53:46PM -0700, Chris Grigg wrote:
> >float - many normal params
> >double - high res params
> 
> Could those two be collapsed into just one or the other?  Smells a 
> bit redundant from a parameter perspective.

Double is needed if we do tempo and friends the way we planned in XAP - as
parameters.  Maybe the extra memory bandwidth for double on all FP params is
negligible - sounds like it needs testing to me.

> >int - many normal params
> >enum - radio buttons, N-position knobs
> >bool - buttons
> >string - filenames, words
> >blob - misc
> 
> Yes, I like all these, at least as the semantic types.  As you say 
> below,  they can share the same binary reps in most cases, but I like 
> keeping the semantics separated at the parameter spec level.  Better 
> clarity for users.

At the cost of programming, perhaps. If it can be done easily and simply,
then I am all for exposing these.  Otherwise, some simple examples of how to
do a Bool with an FP param is an SDK candidate.

> >String and Blob are obvious, I think.
> 
> Maybe.  Length encoded and/or null terminated?  Starts 
> word/doubleword aligned, or arbitrary byte address?  ASCII characters 
> only, or Unicode support?  Max possible length?  Etc.  So in many 
> ways int, float, double are far more obvious.

Details details.  UTF-8 NULL-terminated.  It's C friendly.  Would start
naturally aligned - byte.  Max length could be a spec of the parameter.

> >So that leaves my NEED list at float/real/sample_type + string + blob.  Are
> >there good reasons to turn anything else into fundamental primitives?
> >Perhaps int - can anyone justify it?
> 
> Yeah, to avoid unnecessary conversions.  I mean, by that logic, since 
> you can encode any int or float/double number as a (long enough) 
> sequence of ASCII characters, so why use anything other than string?

Oh, so in that case, we can just make the bool param be a 1-bit message. :)
The big advantage I see of exposing some of those as primitives is to enable
UIs and interfaces that want to work with integer values to do it
without having to convert somehow.

-- 
Notice that as computers are becoming easier and easier to use,
suddenly there's a big market for "Dummies" books.  Cause and effect,
or merely an ironic juxtaposition of unrelated facts?


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