[x3d-public] X3D meeting minutes 20 AUG 2021, C C++ C# and Mantis MetadataDate

Fri Aug 20 12:34:35 PDT 2021

Don, Myeong, Doug,

I noticed that there are no virtual methods in the C++ spec SAI I got 
(examples, yes, except for ~SAIExample5()) on drive.google.com.  I do 
not think they are necessary, but may be useful when defining subclasses 
for people who want to subclass from the SAI abstract and concrete 
nodes. https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/virtual-function-cpp/ Note that 
most methods are virtual in Java, without the keyword.  I think virtual 
methods are slower than regular methods, last I heard.  But I'm pretty 
sure all destructors should be virtual?  I've forgotten. Some discussion 
whether destructors should be present in the spec is welcome. The 
virtual destructor ensures that the superclass destructor is not called.

I think it would be useful to have Doug Sanden review the abstract and 
concrete class and structs before making big decisions.

I am also unsure why the first parameter to many C function pointer 
declarations is void* instead of passing a pointer to a struct type?

In all cases, C/C++/C# it might be useful for setter functions and 
members to return this or *this, instead of void.   We need set 
functions to return this for creating builders I'm fairly sure. (In C 
SAI, the first parameter is called this, it's not a keyword that I know of).

I'm glad I am reviewing this!  We'll see if anything else pops into my 
head after I send the message!

Thanks,

John

On 8/20/21 1:46 PM, Brutzman, Donald (Don) (CIV) wrote:
>
> Attendees John Carlson, Vince Marchetti, Dick Puk, Don Brutzman
>
>  1. Very useful discussion today, we reviewed proposed language bindings
>
>  1. 19755- 3, C
>  2. 19755- 4, C++
>  3. 19755- 5, C#
>
> We discussed whether special treatment is deserved for exposing these 
> draft specifications.  22 Web3D members have access to them now.
>
> Language bindings need compilable interfaces for ISO, and at least two 
> implementations for Web3D.
>
> Close inspection of each shows that a handful of example programs are 
> available for test development, and could be used as basis for 
> X3dToCCppCsharp.xslt conversion stylesheet.
>
> Close inspection of detailed abstract interfaces, and detailed 
> node/statement implementations for libraries are available (with some 
> omissions).  Each appears quite similar to the others.  Regeneration 
> via X3DUOM of compilable “header” or interface files matching the 
> source code in the HTML is possible.
>
> C and C++ language compilation is easily possible using gcc compiler.  
> Compilation of C# is not so clear, some open-source implementations 
> are available.  Once initial compilation of headers is accomplished, 
> further scrutiny and possible evolution of design patterns would be 
> straightforward.  We’ll use gcc on the next round since it is part of 
> our build infrastructure already.
>
>   * GCC, the GNU Compiler Collection https://gcc.gnu.org
>     <https://gcc.gnu.org>
>   * https://stackoverflow.com/questions/26078437/why-does-gcc-support-java-and-not-c-sharp
>     <https://stackoverflow.com/questions/26078437/why-does-gcc-support-java-and-not-c-sharp>
>
>
> We have enough that immediate sharing of shared specifications can be 
> deferred until broader discussion is warranted.  Sharing of generated 
> code will help, and that does not have to be restricted.
>
> We are concerned about personnel availability, but will keep working 
> on it step by step.
>
>
> We will welcome all help and participation as the work proceeds.
>
>  2. Mantis issue progress is persevering steadily each week.
>
>      1. Mantis 1218 for creating a MetadataDate or MetadataTime node
>         needs to be deferred to X3D4.1.  Meanwhile we might an example
>         scene demonstrating how to do such representations with
>         existing nodes, workably across all forms of X3D. E.g.
>         pseudocode examples:
>
> <MetadataDouble name=”time”                  value=“0.0” 
> reference=”Unix reference of time with start at 1 JAN 1970”/>
>
> <MetadataString   name=”TuesdayLunch” value=“24-AUG-2021-1200-pacific” 
> reference=”XSD, XML Schema Definition”/> <MetadataString 
>   name=”ThankGoodnessItsMonday” value=“23-AUG-2021-1200-pacific” 
> reference=”ISO 8601 Time standard”/>
>
> Any scene of examples would be fully detailed and cross-referenced for 
> clarity.
>
> Mantis 1218: 07.2.4 MetadataDate - New node type, or new data type
>
> https://www.web3d.org/member-only/mantis/view.php?id=1218 
> <https://www.web3d.org/member-only/mantis/view.php?id=1218>
>
>      2. Other mantis issues are being fixed and addresses each week.
>         Membership has value.
>
> https://www.web3d.org/member-only/mantis/view_all_bug_page.php 
> <https://www.web3d.org/member-only/mantis/view_all_bug_page.php>
>
> Thanks everyone for a worthy effort today. Have fun with X3D!  8)
>
> *From:* Brutzman, Donald (Don) (CIV)
> *Sent:* Friday, August 20, 2021 12:27 AM
> *To:* x3d-public at web3d.org
> *Cc:* Brutzman, Donald (Don) (CIV) <brutzman at nps.edu>
> *Subject:* X3D meeting agenda 20 AUG 2021, C C++ C# and Mantis
>
> Regular weekly call once again this week, Friday 10-1100 Pacific on 
> Web3D conference line.
>
> We will review our approach to C C++ C# encodings and also ongoing 
> Mantis progress.  Additional topics welcome.
>
> all the best, Don
>
> -- 
>
> Don Brutzman  Naval Postgraduate School, Code USW/Br brutzman at nps.edu 
> <mailto:brutzman at nps.edu>
>
> Watkins 270,  MOVES Institute, Monterey CA 93943-5000 USA +1.831.656.2149
>
> X3D graphics, virtual worlds, navy robotics 
> http://faculty.nps.edu/brutzman <http://faculty.nps.edu/brutzman>
>
>
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