Research of data formats for virtual processors
by
Vladimir S. Vdovenkov
Saint-Petersburg State Aerospace Instrumentation University

One of the most important problems of practical realization of any data processing technology is the problem of data representability, and choice of its inner computer representation. Data representation is meant its formats, and representability is usually associated with its range and epsilon-skeleton.

The goal of the investigation was the determination of characteristics of some typical data formats and finding the ways of most effective application.

The study was effected under the numbers with the fixed and floating points which are the typical and most widespread, and sometimes the only possible formats for a computer.

The investigation showed the following. 1. Probability density function for integer data is found to be uniform. The adequacy of data reproducibility depends on computer architecture and data representability range.

2. Probability density function for real data is found to be significantly nonuniform, and close to gaussian. The adequacy of data reproducibility depends on computer architecture and data numbers magnitudes. This factor restricts use of real data in A-type technology.

3. The most promising formats adequate to A-type technology are some specific formats made of type integer. The investigation of data formats for virtual processors allowed to find the class of formats suitable for A-type technology implementation.

Date received: January 13, 2000

Copyright © 2000 by the author(s). The author(s) of this document and the organizers of the conference have granted their consent to include this abstract in Atlas Conferences Inc. Document # cadd-24.