mayhew@byucsa.UUCP (03/26/84)
The point of a 64 bit micro does not necessarily imply 64 bit address spaces or 64 bit numerical calculations. Bit maps are a commonly used feature in many programs and will run faster in 64 bit groups than in 32 bit groups. Character compares are also facilitated by allowing 8 character compares instead of 4 (I realize most people do 1 character compares regardless of alu width). Additional precision will be available for intermediate results. Granted this additional precision will probably not run into 64 bit range, but it might easily run into 40 bits, and given the tendencies of the industry the next step is 64. 48 bits would seem to be as good as 64 except that it is not a 2**n number. Besides, everyone in marketing knows, "if a little is good more is better". David Mayhew