fixpoint ==>
fixed point
<mathematics> The fixed point of a function, f is any value, x for which 
f x = x. A function may have any number of fixed points from none (e.g. f x = 
x+1) to infinitely many (e.g. f x = x). The fixed point combinator, written as 
either "fix" or "Y" will return the fixed point of a function.
 
See also least fixed point.
 
(1995-04-13)
 
  
 
  
Nearby terms: 
							FIX « fix « fixed disk « fixed point » 
							fixed-point » fixed point combinator » fixed-width
 
fixpoint ==>
fixed-point
<programming> A number representation scheme where a number R is 
represented by an integer N such that R=N*B, where B is the (assumed) base of 
the representation.
 
On computers with no floating-point unit fixed-point calculations can be 
significantly faster as all the operations are basically integer operations. 
Apart from that, fixed-point representation has the advantage of having uniform 
density, i.e., the smallest resolvable difference of the representation is B 
throughout the representable range, in sharp contrast to floating-point 
representations.
 
(1998-05-18)
 
  
 
  
Nearby terms: 
							fix « fixed disk « fixed point « fixed-point 
							» fixed point combinator » fixed-width » FIXME
 
							
					  |