Numerical specifications of the floating-point types

Table 4 illustrates the essential numerical properties of the types supported by the various CommonPoint platforms. It should guide you in the choice of types for your application.

Number system
Platform Decimal digits Max normal number Min normal number
Application

Details of floating-point types Illustrative 6-bit numbers None None

float All Low-precision data, testing

double All Financial or other
high-precision data

long double X86 Intermediate calculations

long double PA-RISC Intermediate calculations

long double PowerPC Intermediate calculations

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	Number system	Platform	Decimal digits	Max normal number	Min normal number	Application
Details of floating-point types	Illustrative 6-bit numbers	None				None
Details of floating-point types	float	All				Low-precision data, testing
	double	All				Financial or other high-precision data
	long double	X86				Intermediate calculations
	long double	PA-RISC				Intermediate calculations
	long double	PowerPC				Intermediate calculations