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 | |
| double | 64-bit | Emulated using softfloat library. Scalar proc does not contain 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.