[Virtualacorn-list] Floating point arithmetic

[ralph_valmai at ntlworld.com]

In message <gemini.k8gwg404fyksb00m4.druck at druck.org.uk>
          "David J. Ruck" <druck at druck.org.uk> wrote:

> ATimbrell at aol.com wrote:
>> VRPC's use the floating point emulator in RISC OS, rather than the
>> floating point unit built into the host machines CPU. We did investigate
>> a "soft floating point" podule to provide enhanced FPU performance - but
>> there is so little RISC OS software that really makes use of floating
>> point - so it wasn't considered worthwhile.
> 
> There is a vicious cycle of floating point being slow so no software uses
> it, and no software uses it so its not worth accelarating floating point.
> 
> Its implementation in VRPC depends on whether you see the product as tool
> to allow the declining usage of legacy RISC OS software, or now that
> emulation is the only the only option for RISC OS on future machines, you
> want to foster any new software development.
> 
> I would have thought you'd see the opportunity for a tie in with future
> versions of RISC OS 6, featuring enhanced floating point on VRPC.
> 
Interesting answers here. Could I back up David Ruck's view? Using the 
host fpu would make accessible to RISC OS users more of the power of 
modern hardware than we have at the moment. I would like to have it 
when running the Fortran programs I write, a distinct minority 
interest. But the possibility of it motivating software authors to 
write something new is very appealing. It also may persuade some of 
those leaving the RISC OS scene to buy VA and stay around a little 
longer in the business.

Ralph

-- 

Ralph & Valmai Stevens
In leafy Epping