AFAICS, the Standard doesn't _mention_ FP subnormals; for instance,
numeric_limits<a_float_type>::min() returns the smallest positive _normalized_ value.

However, does it mean that the use of denormalized values render a program non-conformat?

IOWs, a traits class with something like:

static T really_smallest() { return
platform_dependent_really_smallest_fp_value_possibly_denormalized ; }

could be considered standard conformat?

Or are subnormals entirely forbidden?

Fernando Cacciola
SciSoft

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Fernando Cacciola


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Fernando Cacciola wrote:
>
> AFAICS, the Standard doesn't _mention_ FP subnormals; for instance,
> numeric_limits<a_float_type>::min() returns the smallest positive _normalized_ value.
>
> However, does it mean that the use of denormalized values render a program non-conformat?
>

No, they're allowed. numeric_limits also provides has_denorm and
denorm_min().

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Pete Becker
Dinkumware, Ltd. (http://www.dinkumware.com)

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