Apparatus for automatically converting numeric data to a processor efficient format for performing arithmetic operations
US8065669B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 13, 2008 |
| Grant date | Nov 22, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 22, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F8/447
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A compiler (or interpreter) detects source language instructions performing arithmetic operations using a fixed point format (preferably packed decimal). Where the operation can be performed without loss of precision or violation of other constraints of the source language, the compiler automatically converts the operands to a floating point format (preferably Decimal Floating Point (DFP)) having hardware support, and re-converts results to the original fixed point format. Preferably, the compiler may combine multiple operations and instructions in an expression tree, analyze the tree, and selectively convert where possible. The compiler preferably performs a heuristic cost judgment in determining whether to use a particular conversion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.