Data Types
In the Alpha architecture, a byte was defined as an 8-bit datum, a word as a 16-bit datum, a longword as a 32-bit datum, a quadword as a 64-bit datum and an octaword as a 128-bit datum.
The Alpha architecture originally defined six data types:
- Quadword (64-bit) integer
- Longword (32-bit) integer
- IEEE T-floating-point (double precision, 64-bit)
- IEEE S-floating-point (single precision, 32-bit)
To maintain a level of compatibility with VAX, the 32-bit architecture the Alpha succeeded, two VAX data types were included:
- VAX G-floating point (double precision, 64-bit)
- VAX F-floating point (single precision, 32-bit)
The Alpha had some provision for future expansion of the instruction set to include 128-bit data types.
Read more about this topic: DEC Alpha
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