Microsoft KB Archive/36735

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Macintosh QuickBASIC Does Not Use SANE for Floating-Point Math

Article ID: 36735

Article Last Modified on 11/21/2006

This article was previously published under Q36735

SUMMARY

Microsoft QuickBASIC Version 1.00 for the Apple Macintosh does not use Standard Apple Numeric Environment (SANE). Microsoft QuickBASIC (b) uses its own IEEE standard binary floating-point routines, which are faster than using SANE. Microsoft QuickBASIC (d) uses a decimal math package that is slower but more accurate for business calculations (such as making dollars and cents add up exactly).

SANE is the set of methods that provides a basis for floating-point calculations in Apple computers. SANE meets all requirements for extended-precision, floating-point arithmetic as prescribed by the IEEE Standard 754 and ensures that all floating-point operations are performed consistently and return accurate results. This information about SANE is from the "Technical Introduction to the Macintosh Family," by Apple Computer, Inc. (Published by Addison-Wesley, 1987).

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about SANE, please refer to the "Apple Numerics Manual", which should be available from Apple Computer, Inc. or Apple Dealers.

(The "Apple Numerics Manual" used to be available from the Apple Programmer's and Developer's Association (APDA), but Apple Computer, Inc. has taken over the functions of APDA for offering official Macintosh technical manuals and developer-oriented products through mail-order.)


Additional query words: MQuickB

Keywords: KB36735