The float data type is stored in memory as 32-bit objects (see Figure 8-3). Objects defined as float are loaded to and stored from bits 0-31 of a register. In big-endian mode, 4-byte objects are loaded to registers by moving the first byte (that is, the lower address) of memory to bits 24-31 of the register, moving the second byte of memory to bits 16-23, moving the third byte to bits 8-15, and moving the fourth byte to bits 0-7. In little-endian mode, 4-byte objects are loaded to registers by moving the first byte (that is, the lower address) of memory to bits 0-7 of the register, moving the second byte to bits 8-15, moving the third byte to bits 16-23, and moving the fourth byte to bits 24-31.
Figure 8-3 Single-Precision Floating-Point Char Data Storage Format S | E | E | E | E | E | E | E | E | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M |
LEGEND: S = sign, M = mantissa, E = exponent, MS = most significant, LS = least significant |