Hello all, I would like to create a class of some common number theory methods for the Commons Math library (or add methods the the BigInteger class). I am motivated to do this following a summer research project at my university (University of Calgary). I was/am implementing some factoring algorithms for cryptographic applications and found that there were no libraries to do things such as: - Determining quadratic residuocity by way of Jacobi/Legendre symbol calculation - Determining the square root (mod p) - variations of the Sieve of Eratosthenes for producing a list of primes
I also noticed the lack of library support for these operations while doing my first math based crypto course, as did many of my peers. I think that the increasing practical use of these methods warrants their inclusion in the Commons Math library. I implemented Java methods for these operations for my own use and would like to contribute them to Commons Math. I am looking for any comments about this, specifically if the developer and commiter community here would support this. I am completely new to open source projects and welcome any advise. Sincerely, Shane Sims