Re: Default engines [it was 'Hull White Calibration?']

Posted by Luigi Ballabio-2 on
URL: http://quantlib.414.s1.nabble.com/R-R-Hull-White-Calibration-tp2849p2852.html

On 2004.03.25 15:22, Ferdinando Ametrano wrote:
> which reminds me that I'm still wondering if we should remove the  
> default engine from our interfaces?

In general, if the default engine is the null engine, it avoids having  
to choose upon instantiation of the instrument and it's still safe  
because it will throw if one doesn't set an actual engine before  
pricing. For specific instruments, it depends. For European options, it  
would make sense to set the analytic engine as a default---instantiate  
the instrument and most times it's ready for pricing. For American  
options, I doubt that there is a consensus as to which is the preferred  
engine---in this case, no default (meaning a null default) would be  
appropriate.

Later,
        Luigi