Split off Signed/Unsigned modules into a new package

[yallop]

The Signed and Unsigned modules don't depend on the rest of ctypes, and might be useful elsewhere (e.g. for TCP sequence numbers, or for angstrom.) So splitting them into a separate package could be worthwhile.

[dbuenzli]

What do you think about at least trying to ask the ocaml dev team to upstream UintX for each existing IntX in the stdlib ? I constantly need these.

[yallop]

I agree that it would be good to have them in the standard library. If there was some indication of support from the maintainers I'd be happy to send a pull request.

[dbuenzli]

I don't think it is worth working on it without at least an indication that those modules are desirable on principle and would be merged. You should maybe ask on their internal mailing list.

[hcarty]

I created an issue on mantis for unsigned 32 and 64 bit integers: http://caml.inria.fr/mantis/view.php?id=7280

The response was somewhat positive... Having a concrete and complete proposal may help push this along.

[yallop]

Here's a new package, ocaml-integers, with the Signed and Unsigned modules:

https://github.com/ocamllabs/ocaml-integers

[yallop]

You should maybe ask on their internal mailing list.

I've sent a mail to the list to see whether there's any support for upstreaming the unsigned integer modules.

[emillon]

Hi, just wanted to know if there are plans to add a dependency from ctypes to ocaml-integers and use those types.

[yallop]

Yes, using the types in ocaml-integers is planned. Is that something you have a need for soon, @emillon?

[emillon]

No, there's nothing immediate on my side, but that would definitely be an improvement.

As a data point, my use case would be splitting code that uses ctypes types (Unsigned.ULong.t & friends) from code that can emit calls. That way, the first part does not need libffi, and depend on way less C code, which can improve portability and reduce attack surface.

[dbuenzli]

@yallop Did anything come out of that email about upstreaming the unsigned modules ?

[yallop]

@dbuenzli: I understand that there was some inconclusive discussion at the developers' meeting, but I haven't heard anything directly.

[dbuenzli]

Maybe it would be better to have a living PR then...

[emillon]

Adding it to OCaml itself would be great, but in the meantime would you be interested in a PR to use ocaml-integers in ctypes?

[yallop]

@emillon: yes, I'd welcome such a PR.

[emillon]

Great! I think @bbc2 has a WIP branch somewhere, let's discuss around some code when we have something working.

[yallop]

I've submitted an ocaml/ocaml PR that adds support for uint32 and uint64: ocaml/ocaml#1201

[yallop]

Fixed by #515.