🚀 go-pugleaf

<UD156844@NDSUVM1.BITNET> writes:

>My question is will the 387 chip be used for other programs that
>don't specifically state any use of the 387 chip.  In reading
>an article in a past issue of Computer Shopper they state that
>some programs will detect a 387 and use it, otherwise math functions
>are normally done via software.  If software does not try to detect
>a 387 is the CPU capable of detecting the 387 and passing math
>calculations to it?

>roberto alvarez
>ud156844@vm1.nodak.edu

It is not possible for the CPU to determine if a software package is 
performing a floating point calculation by using integer based 
instructions on the CPU. 

A 387 implements a set of floating point instructions a 386 is 
unable to perform these instructions, it is possible for the 386 
to trap references to a floating point instruction and invoke a
routine that emulates the instruction. 

Typically math coprocessors only benefit programs written to work with 
them. There is one exception, if you use MS-Windows and use its math
routines you will experience some benefit. MS-Windows, however, will
not work any faster as it is mostly implemented using integer arithmetic.

Maurice Castro

--
Maurice Castro                 |  "In hardware engineering, Ohm's
maurice@bruce.cs.monash.edu.au |   law and Maxwell's equations pale
                               |   in importance and influence next
                               |   to Murphy's Law" Gordon Bell