From:	Joe Wright <wrightj AT exis DOT net>
Newsgroups:	comp.os.msdos.djgpp
Subject:	Re: doubles vs. floats
Date:	Wed, 29 Jan 1997 12:37:56 -0800
Organization:	Alpha Solutions International
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Message-ID:	<32EFB524.37FA@exis.net>
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Jan Louwerens wrote:
> 
> Ryan Blazecka (eblazecka AT bc DOT sympatico DOT ca) wrote:
> : Michael Phelps wrote:
> 
> : > This may sound a little counterintuitive, but sometimes you can get better
> : > results by using doubles rather than floats.
> 
> : Why is this? I've heard it many times, but never understood why.
> 
> Yes, this is true. It is because every float is is converted into a
> double before every operation and is then converted back into a float at
> the end of the operation. (FPU only handles double, not float? I'm not
> sure). If you want speed, use all doubles instead of floats. For size,
> use floats.
> 
> JL
Yes, it's true.  double is better than float in every conceivable way.
I don't even think the size argument has any validity unless you have
a really massive number of them.  Anyway, memory is cheaper than time.
And double is significantly more accurate and precise.
-- 
Joe Wright     mailto:wrightj AT exis DOT net
"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler."
         --Albert Einstein--

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