Digital computer data types

Availability of large digital computers has made possible rigorous solutions of equilibrium-stage models for multicomponent, multistage distillation-type columns to an exactness limited only by the accuracy of the phase equilibrium and enthalpy data utilized. Time and cost requirements for obtaining such solutions are very low compared with the cost of manual solutions. Methods are available that can accurately solve almost any type of distillation-type problem quickly and efficiently. The material presented here covers, in some... 

Recursive techniques have been in use since the early days of digital computers. However, we have seen little use of this technique in formula calculations. Implementation requires the ability to calculate and return the same type of data for a formula as is normally retrieved from a raw material database. We have outlined some of the difficulties in using recursion. None of them present insurmountable difficulties if the programming environment being used supports recursion. The benefit of implementation is in the power of the software to simplify experimentation and formula development. 

The second more modern definition describes a Network comprised of more computers tied together with relatively few terminals on each computer. This second form of network became a reality with the mini computer revolution was spurred by acceptance Digitals PDP-8 and PDP-11 Mini computers in the 1960s and development of Digitals Network Architecture (DNA) in the 1970s. In order to clarify the distinction lets call the first form of "network" Data Communications and the second type a Digital Computer Network. 

In the preceding two sections we gave a brief description of a digital computer and its characteristics, of the associated peripherals, and of the I/O interface required for data acquisition and control. In this section we examine the various types of control loops that result when a digital computer is used as the main controller, as well as the necessary hardware components. 

Much of the Mossbauer spectroscopic data which is published comes from institutions which also have large computer facilities. Since the raw data of a spectrum are already digitised, it is in a very convenient form for automated analysis by digital computer. The majority of multichannel analysers have output signals which are either directly compatible with or easily adapted for appropriate types of punched paper tape or magnetic tape units, so that accumulated spectra can be printed out in a form which is compatible with the computer installation. 

It should be kept in mind that the format command does not affect how MATLAB computations are done. Computations on float variables, namely, single or double, are done in appropriate floating point precision, no matter how those variables are displayed. Computations on integer variables are done natively in integer. MATLAB uses double-precision floating point arithmetic, which is accurate to approximately 15 digits and can work with the following data types tTable 1.21. 

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