Node: Native BigNum support

[djphoenix]

Feature request

Native BigNum support (exposing OpenSSL bn library).

Workarounds

• bn.js
• bignum
• other JS libraries

Justification

Pure JS implementations have limited performance. Native bn wrappers may have better performance (and maybe more functions).

To be discussed

• New module or addition for currently existing?
• API?
• More?

[mscdex]

I'd prefer BigInt because it is on its way to becoming part of the language.

[bnoordhuis]

@djphoenix You don't have to wait for Node.js core to grow bignum/bigint support. You can write a C++ module that exposes the BN class .

You won't get nice operator overloading like you do with the BigInt TC39 proposal, of course.

[BridgeAR]

I think there is little that can will be done here on the side of Node.js. As soon as v8 supports BigInt in a version that ships with Node.js it will also be accessible. Before that one alternative would be what @bnoordhuis pointed out.

Therefore I am closing this.