How Can We Represent 128-bit Numbers in C Beyond the boost::multiprecision Library?

Representing 128-bit Numbers in C : Alternative Solutions

The provided solution efficiently represents 128-bit numbers in C using the boost::multiprecision library. However, let's explore alternative approaches.

Custom Integer Type:

One option is to create a custom integer type that handles 128-bit numbers. Here's a bare-bones implementation using a 4-element array to store the individual 32-bit components:

class Int128 {
public:
    Int128(uint32_t v0, uint32_t v1, uint32_t v2, uint32_t v3) {
        vals[0] = v0;
        vals[1] = v1;
        vals[2] = v2;
        vals[3] = v3;
    }

    // Define operators and other methods...

private:
    uint32_t vals[4];
};

This approach offers control over the implementation but requires careful management of overflows and consistency across operators.

Memory Allocation:

Alternatively, one could allocate a 128-bit block of memory and perform arithmetic operations directly on the raw bits. This approach demands a deep understanding of bitwise operators and carry propagation.

Extensibility to Larger Sizes:

For extensible representations, the custom integer type approach is more suitable. However, the implementation complexities increase with larger sizes.

Performance Considerations:

The performance of these custom solutions will vary depending on the specific implementation details and the target platform. It's worth benchmarking them to identify the most efficient option.

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