Einzelfloat

Einzelfloat is a term used in German-language technical literature to denote a single-precision floating-point value. It describes a 32-bit representation used to encode real numbers in floating-point arithmetic, as opposed to Doppel- or Zweifloat (double precision, 64-bit).

Most modern implementations use the IEEE 754 binary32 format: one sign bit, eight exponent bits, and 23 fraction bits, with an exponent bias of 127. The value range is roughly ±1.4 × 10^−45 to ±3.4 × 10^38, and the available precision is about seven decimal digits. This combination makes Einzelfloat suitable for memory-sensitive applications and for computations where speed is prioritized over exactness.

In programming languages, Einzelfloat corresponds to types such as float in C/C++, Single in Pascal/Delphi, or Float in other languages; German documentation often uses Einzelfloat interchangeably with these types. The term helps distinguish single-precision values from the higher precision of Double-precision types.

Usage considerations include memory efficiency and computation speed on typical processors, but with limitations in precision and rounding. It is unsuitable for exact arithmetic, particularly monetary calculations, where fixed-point or arbitrary-precision types are preferred. When implementing numerical algorithms, attention should be paid to rounding errors, cancellation, and overflow or underflow near the range limits.

Portability and data exchange require careful handling of endianness and binary formats; when persisting data or exchanging between platforms, ensuring IEEE 754 conformance and explicit serialization aids compatibility.Historically, the concept aligns with the broader adoption of IEEE 754 standards, and the term Einzelfloat remains common in German-language teaching and documentation to distinguish from higher-precision floating-point values.