sfloat24 Floating Point DataType - Request for Comments

[Steven Schveighoffer]

On Thu, 03 Apr 2014 16:13:34 -0400, Bill Buckels <bbuckels at mts.net> wrote:

> The sfloat24 data type is half way between a float and a double in  
> storage size. It offers high precison and speed, but is currently not  
> available as a built-in data type in any compiler that I am aware of.
>
> Adding an aditional built-in datatype to a compiler would be alot of  
> work, but for some folks sfloat24 may provide an advanatage over the  
> cuurently available floating point types currently available.
>
> If anyone is interested or wishes to comment on the efficacy or  
> feasability of slfloat24, please fell free to weigh-in with your  
> thoughts.
>
> Paper One:
>
> http://www.aztecmuseum.ca/sfloat24/PID2445817.pdf
>
> Paper Two:
>
> http://www.aztecmuseum.ca/sfloat24/IPMU_final_version_037.pdf
>
> Additional Links:
>
> https://itunes.apple.com/it/app/dc-motor-simulator-ver.-1.0/id792340664?mt=8
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_floating_point
>
> D Compiler for .NET — Compiles the code to Common Intermediate Language  
> (CIL) bytecode rather than to machine code. The CIL can then be run via  
> a Common Language Infrastructure (CLR) virtual machine:
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Language_Infrastructure
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Type_System
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecma_International
>
> All the best,
>
> Bill

I think sfloat24 may only be more performant on 16 bit or low cost  
embedded processors. Currently D does not target these.

I can't see how an emulated floating 24-bit floating point type could  
out-perform a native floating point type.

-Steve