rust-lang / rust-lang/rfcs

A .sq() function for std::num::Float?

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Description

For a lot of things, it feels strange to have a .sqrt() function and no .sq(). I understand that .sqrt() isn't trivial to implement yourself while .sq() very much is, but at the same time having to do things like .powi(2) or let x: ...; x*x makes the end result a lot less immediately obvious. It's not helped by the fact that powi is a slightly confusing name.

Calculating the distance between to points is an example of where a .sq() would be nice. Without it, it becomes either:

((x1 - x2).powi(2) + (y1 - y2).powi(2)).sqrt()

Or:

let x = x1 - x2;
let y = y1 - y2;
(x*x + y*y).sqrt()

The ability to just be able to write this would be a lot nicer and a lot clearer:

((x1 - x2).sq() + (y1 - y2).sq()).sqrt()

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Research direction

The issue proposes adding .sq() to std::num::Float but names no implementation file, entry point, or test. Start by reviewing the existing Float API and the RFC repository process; done means the API proposal has a settled design and an agreed implementation path.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
rust
Domain
backend
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
25/100

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