E v e n though decimal arithmetic i s pervasive in financial and commercial transactions, computers are stdl implementing almost all arithmetic calculations using binary arithmetic. A s chip real estate becomes cheaper it i s becoming likely that more computer m a nufacturers will provide processors with decimal arithmetic engines. Programming languages and databases are expanding the decimal data types available whale there has been little change in the base hardware. As a result, each language and application i s defining a different arithmetic and f e w have considered the e f iciency of hardware implementations when setting requirements.In this paper, we propose a decimal f o r m a t which meets the requirements of existing standards for decim a l arithmetic and as eficient f o r hardware implementation. W e propose this specification in the hope that designers will consider providing decimal arithmetic in future microprocessors and that future decimal software specifications will consider hardware efficiencies.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.