Reading a non-standard floating point format

[Tim Peters]

[Fidtz]
> I'm trying to do a database extraction program. Part of this is
> reading a large number of files with a 48bit floating point format
> that I think from the definition and searching on google, is unlike
> any on any other system (at least current ones anyway).

Sounds like a safe bet.  32-bit and 64-bit float formats are most common
now; 80-bit and 128-bit formats have some current presence.

> While I think I can see the way to do this with various bit-grubbing
> techniques, the potential for error is massive, esp considering my non
> comp-sci background.

Post a link to a definition of this format, and I bet someone will help.

> Does anyone know of a library in python or even (fairly) easily
> wrappable C that might let me specify the format in a more high level
> way?

Precise English will translate into Python easily enough <wink>.