[Quantlib-dev] RE: Announcing QuantLib: a open-source library for quantitative finance

[Ferdinando A. <fer...@am...>]

>I will make sure the stuff compiles on GNU/Linux.
this would be great!

>We need a curve builder :-)
The yield curve base class is TermStructure (/Include/termstructure.h)
This is an almost pure interface class, stating the methods every 
TermStructure has to implement (zeroYield, discount, forward, etc.)
A curve builder has to produce an instance of a class derived from 
TermStructure.

Three abstract adapter classes are derived from TermStructure: 
ZeroYieldStructure, DiscountStructure, and ForwardRateStructure.
These classes might help, since by using them the curve builder only has to 
produce a zero yield curve OR a discount curve OR a forward curve.
This means that toy term structures are already available right now.
A curve builder with bootstrap on deposits is already there for a piecewise 
constant forward curve (Include\TermStructures\piecewiseconstantforwards.h 
and Sources\TermStructures\piecewiseconstantforwards.cpp).
We have also provided a simple example of flat constant forward 
(QuantLib/Include/TermStructures/piecewiseconstantforwards.h in the current 
cvs) for didactic purposes (to replicate Hull numerical examples, etc.)

Everyone can implement his favorite bootstrapping method and contribute it 
to QuantLib. I welcome any contribution.

Luigi and I are working on adding bootstrapping on swap rates. The design 
is quite clear already (piecewise constant forward, maybe later piecewise 
linear forward), but we need to implement swaps first - which will take a 
little time, especially since the whole date/payment schedule must be designed.
A strong point of the builder we're working on (and a strong point of 
QuantLib as a whole) will be the fact that it uses the actual QuantLib 
financial instruments (deposit, futures, FRA, swap) in the bootstrapping 
procedure.
This should guarantee that the curve building will always reprice inputs 
exactly, whatever the evolution of QuantLib financial instruments will be.

Our work shouldn't stop anybody from providing different curve builders, 
since the date/payment schedule is a crucial point that will take a while. 
You know, the devil is in (boring) details.

>  Then the fun can start!
Yeah, and you can't imagine how excited I am!

Bernd, I would ask you to post your messages/comments on the quantlib-dev 
and/or quantlib-users mailing lists.
This will help to have a discussion going on, so that everybody may 
contribute. That's why I cc my reply to the lists

thank you

ciao -- Nando