[Python-Dev] Expert floats

Tim Peters tim.one at comcast.net
Tue Mar 30 14:40:20 EST 2004


[Josiah Carlson]
> I believe (please correct me if I'm wrong), that Python floats, on all
> platforms, are IEEE 754 doubles.

I don't know.  Python used to run on some Crays that had their own fp
format, with 5 bits less precision than an IEEE double but much greater
dynamic range.  I don't know whether VAX D double format is still in use
either (which has 3 bits more precision than IEEE double).

> That is, Python uses the 8-byte FP, not the (arguably worthless) 4-bit
> FP.

I believe all Python platforms use *some* flavor of 8-byte float.

> Cross-platform precision is not an issue.

If it is, nobody has griped about it (to my knowledge).




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