prime95type

prime95type is a term used in discussions of the Prime95 software and the GIMPS distributed computing project to refer to an internal numeric identifier that designates the type of work unit being processed or requested. In the Prime95 codebase and in client-server communications, the prime95type field (often implemented as an enumeration or integer) categorizes tasks such as primality tests, factorization steps, and different testing modes. The exact mapping from numeric values to work categories is version-dependent and documented in the corresponding source code or protocol specification.

Purpose and use: the type helps the server and other clients allocate resources, verify results, and collect statistics. When a worker reports a result, it includes the prime95type so that downstream components can interpret the result correctly—for example, distinguishing a probable-prime (PRP) test from a P-1 factorization or a Lucas-Lehmer test. This facilitates task routing, validation, and performance monitoring within the distributed network.

Limitations and context: prime95type is not typically a user-facing setting in standard consumer builds; casual users interact with higher-level options such as torture-test modes or GUI test selections. Modifying or relying on prime95type generally requires editing the source code and recompiling, and is intended for developers or advanced users working with the underlying protocol or internal testing.

See also: Prime95, GIMPS, PRP test, P-1 factorization, Lucas-Lehmer test.