The UnthBuf is a data-structure that holds a fixed buffer of unsigned integers, just like a Box<[usize]> would...
except that the bit-size of the integers can be adjusted from 1 to 64 bits, effectively making it a Box<[uN]>!
For example:
rust
use unthbuf::{UnthBuf, Bits, aligned::AlignedLayout};
let mut buf = UnthBuf::<AlignedLayout>::new(4096, Bits::new(5).unwrap());
buf.set(21, 5).unwrap();
Internally the buffer is a boxed slice of usized cells,
with the integer elements being stored within the cells
according to the chosen [CellLayout].
This will result in a bit-pattern like this:
text
0101101101101101101101101101101101101101101101101101101101101101
0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000101
integer aligned to word boundary ^^^
Or, if the PackedLayout/[PackedUnthBuf] is used instead:
text
1101101101101101101101101101101101101101101101101101101101101101
^ integer packed across word boundary vv
0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000010
While the PackedLayout is certainly more compact, it is also roughly ~20% slower; use it when every bit counts.
You can use the UnthBuf::get_padding_bit_count-function to determine how much space is lost.