Numeric Types
Numbers are the base of math and they are needed in every logical process.
The Abstract language allows the user to choose between a long list
of numeric types for the best result, performance and memory management
for their application.
Integer Numbers
The most simple way of representing numbers is with integers. Integers represents an always complete (non-fractional) value, never allowing any decimal point.
For historical, computational and memory optimal reasons, the computer gives an extensive range of possibilities about numeric integer values.
To declare an integer type in the Abstract Language, use the letter i or u to declare the kind of the integer (signed or unsigned) and a number to declare the size, in bits, that this data will occupy in memory.
Examples of valid integer types are:
i8 # signed 8-bit (1 byte) integer
u16 # unsigned 16-bit integer
i128 # signed 128-bit integer
The following table shows every integer type and its corresponding type in the C programming language:
| Alias | Equivalent in C | Size | Range | Implementation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| i8 | int8_t | 8-bits / 1 byte | -128 to 127 | Std.Types.SignedInteger8 |
| i16 | int16_t | 16-bits / 2 bytes | -32,768 to 32,767 | Std.Types.SignedInteger16 |
| i32 | int32_t | 32-bits / 4 bytes | -2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647 | Std.Types.SignedInteger32 |
| i64 | int64_t | 64-bits / 8 bytes | -9.2x10¹⁸ to 9.2x10¹⁸ | Std.Types.SignedInteger64 |
| i128 | n/a | 128-bits / 16 bytes | -1.7x10³⁸ to 1.7x10³⁸ | Std.Types.SignedInteger128 |
| iptr | intptr_t | (target dependent) | (target dependent) | (target dependent) |
| u8 (byte) | uint8_t | 8-bits / 1 byte | 0 to 255 | Std.Types.UnsignedInteger8 |
| u16 | uint16_t | 16-bits / 2 bytes | 0 to 65,535 | Std.Types.UnsignedInteger16 |
| u32 | uint32_t | 32-bits / 4 bytes | 0 to 4,294,967,295 | Std.Types.UnsignedInteger32 |
| u64 | uint64_t | 64-bits / 8 bytes | 0 to 1.8x10¹⁹ | Std.Types.UnsignedInteger64 |
| u128 | n/a | 128-bits / 16 bytes | 0 to 3.4x10³⁸ | Std.Types.UnsignedInteger128 |
| uptr | uintptr_t | (target dependent) | (target dependent) | (target dependent) |
The iptr and uptr types are special general-purpose integers that are defined
by the target. It is equivalent to the size of a memory pointer on the specific
platform or the biggest native integer that the specified target can process.
E.g.:
If compiling the project to an x86 architecture based machine, iptr will be equivalent
to i32 and on an amd64 architecture, it will be equivalent to i64.
Floating Numbers
Floating numbers are somewhat complicated numerical values used to reproduce fractions.
As the table above, the Abstract floating types are listed below, with their corresponding type in the C programming language:
| Alias | Equivalent in C | Implementation |
|---|---|---|
| f32 (float) | float | Std.Types.SingleFloating |
| f64 (double) | double | Std.Types.DoubleFloating |