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From: djh@dragon.metaphor.com (Dallas J. Hodgson)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.tech
Subject: MC68881/2 Support (hello, Dave Haynie)
Message-ID: <1181@metaphor.Metaphor.COM>
Date: 30 May 90 23:05:00 GMT
Sender: news@metaphor.Metaphor.COM
Reply-To: djh@dragon.metaphor.com (Dallas J. Hodgson)
Organization: Metaphor Computer Systems, Mountain View, CA
Lines: 29


If you're like me, you're tired of all the software that doesn't take
advantage of your FFP. The way things work right now, we've got too many
floating point standards, such as :

	mathffp.library
	ieee.library	(double precision)
	ieee.library	(new single precision, recognizes 6888x for 2.0)
	compiler-specific math libraries
	in-line FFP instructions

Since the FFP instructions trap out thru the FLINE vector anyway (if there's
no coprocessor present) why don't we EMULATE a 6888x when the traps occur?
Put this support in the RKM, and let all the compilers generate in-line FFP
instructions. Yes, there's a small amount of overhead for non-FFP users, but
it's no different from the PC way of doing things - and very
system-friendly! Let's say GOODBYE to the math libraries; if a user wants to
install a Weitek in the future, the vendor(s) can supply the driver software
themselves - and everything will still work.

Just a thought.
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Dallas J. Hodgson               |     "This here's the wattle,             |
| Metaphor Computer Systems       |      It's the emblem of our land.        |
| Mountain View, Ca.              |      You can put it in a bottle,         |
| USENET : djh@metaphor.com       |      You can hold it in your hand."      |
+============================================================================+
| "The views I express are my own, and not necessarily those of my employer" |
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