5 ms·
In which case I disagree ;-). Most strikingly DEC64 doesn't do normalization, so comparison will be a nightmare (as you have to normalize in order to compare!).
by lifthrasiir 4y ago
In which case I disagree ;-). Most strikingly DEC64 doesn't do normalization, so comparison will be a nightmare (as you have to normalize in order to compare!). He tried to special-case integer-only arguments, which hides the fact that non-integer cases are much, much slower thanks to added branches and complexity. If DEC64 were going to be "the only number type" in future languages, it had to be much better than this.
- undershirt 4y agoGood points! I think decimal64 doesn’t normalize the significand also. But I can’t assess what I haven’t used. Mine is a snap judgment in favor of understanding more of dec64 vs the wiki article. My general feeling is that it’s time for the scale of computing to tip away from total correctness and efficiency, and more toward non-awkward interfaces. But at bottom, I would try both and then talk about it.