The compiler and scalar unit enable the programmer to use standard C data types. The following table shows standard C data types with their precisions. All types, except float and double, support signed and unsigned prefixes.
| Data Type | Precision | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| char | 8-bit signed | |
| short | 16-bit signed | |
| int | 32-bit signed | Native support |
| long | 64-bit signed | |
| float | 32-bit | Emulated. Scalar processor does not contain a floating point unit (FPU). |
| double | 64-bit | Emulated. Scalar processor does not contain a floating point unit (FPU). |
It is important to remember that control flow statements such as branching are
still handled by the scalar unit even in the presence of vector instructions. This
concept is critical to maximizing the performance of the AI Engine.
Note: GNU defined
types like complex defined in
<complex.h> are not supported in AI Engine hardware. GNU defined types
work for x86 simulation but not for AI Engine simulation.