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libvaxdata: VAX data format conversion routines

Open-File Report 2005-1424
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https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20051424

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Abstract

libvaxdata provides a collection of routines for converting numeric data-integer and floating-point-to and from the formats used on a Digital Equipment Corporation1 (DEC) VAX 32-bit minicomputer (Brunner, 1991). Since the VAX numeric data formats are inherited from those used on a DEC PDP-11 16-bit minicomputer, these routines can be used to convert PDP-11 data as well. VAX numeric data formats are also the default data formats used on DEC Alpha 64-bit minicomputers running OpenVMS The libvaxdata routines are callable from Fortran or C. They require that the caller use two's-complement format for integer data and IEEE 754 format (ANSI/IEEE, 1985) for floating-point data. They also require that the 'natural' size of a C int type (integer) is 32 bits. That is the case for most modern 32-bit and 64-bit computer systems. Nevertheless, you may wish to consult the Fortran or C compiler documentation on your system to be sure. Some Fortran compilers support conversion of VAX numeric data on-the-fly when reading or writing unformatted files, either as a compiler option or a run-time I/O option. This feature may be easier to use than the libvaxdata routines. Consult the Fortran compiler documentation on your system to determine if this alternative is available to you. 1Later Compaq Computer Corporation, now Hewlett-Packard Company

Suggested Citation

Baker, L.M., 2005, libvaxdata: VAX data format conversion routines (Version 1.2): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2005-1424, ii, 12 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20051424.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

ISSN: 0196-1497 (print)

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title libvaxdata: VAX data format conversion routines
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2005-1424
DOI 10.3133/ofr20051424
Edition Version 1.2
Year Published 2005
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Contributing office(s) Earthquake Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center
Description ii, 12 p.
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Additional publication details