CODEWITHSUNDEEP
python
Pranav Raj
Pranav Raj

Reputation: 873

Implementation of infinity in python

I know I can define infinity as float("inf"). but I am more interested in its actual implementation. float("inf") surely does not return a number. But normal arithmetic comparison can be done on it. How?

Upvotes: 4

Views: 200

Answers (1)

user2357112
user2357112

Reputation: 280456

Floating-point infinity is defined by the IEEE 754 floating-point standard. As far as the processor cares, it's a number. It's represented by a bit pattern with all exponent bits set to 1, all bits in the significand set to 0, and the sign bit corresponding to the sign of the infinity. The floating-point circuitry in your CPU recognizes this bit pattern and understands what to do with infinity or negative infinity as operands. For most operators, this is probably done with special cases for infinity in the circuitry.

Upvotes: 6

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