A Functionally Expanded Computer Program for Computing Machine-Dependent Constants

摘要

In this report, we present an updated version of an earlier FORTRAN program that computed machine-dependeant constants. The earlier program has been expanded to compute (1) the base (radix) of the computer number system from the system's unit roundoff, (2) the number of digits in the fraction of a floating-point number, and (3) the number of bits in a digit. Furthermore, the program has been expanded to compute the page length of virtual memory machines like the VAX 11/780. An illustration is given of how the updated program can be used as an aid in transporting from one computer to another mathematical software that contains machine-dependent floating-point arithmetic parameters. (Author)