std.math performance (SSE vs. real)

[Walter Bright via Digitalmars-d]

On 6/29/2014 2:30 PM, Russel Winder via Digitalmars-d wrote:
> If D is a language that uses the underlying hardware representation then
> it cannot define the use of specific formats for hardware numbers. Thus,
> on hardware that provides IEEE754 format hardware float and double can
> map to the 32-bit and 64-bit IEEE754 numbers offered. However if the
> hardware does not provide IEEE754 hardware then either D must interpret
> floating point expressions (as per Java) or it cannot be ported to that
> architecture. cf. IBM 360.

That's correct. The D spec says IEEE 754.


> PS Walter just wrote that the type real is not defined as float and
> double are, so it does have a Humpty Dumpty factor even if float and
> double do not.

It's still IEEE, just the longer lengths if they exist on the hardware.

D is not unique in requiring IEEE 754 floats - Java does, too. So does Javascript.