Nomenclature and Types (GNU MP 6.2.1)
Description: How to install and use the GNU multiple precision arithmetic library, version 6.2.1.

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### 3.2 Nomenclature and Types

In this manual, integer usually means a multiple precision integer, as defined by the GMP library. The C data type for such integers is `mpz_t`. Here are some examples of how to declare such integers:

    mpz_t sum;

    struct foo { mpz_t x, y; };

    mpz_t vec[20];

Rational number means a multiple precision fraction. The C data type for these fractions is `mpq_t`. For example:

    mpq_t quotient;

Floating point number or Float for short, is an arbitrary precision mantissa with a limited precision exponent. The C data type for such objects is `mpf_t`. For example:

    mpf_t fp;

The floating point functions accept and return exponents in the C type `mp_exp_t`. Currently this is usually a `long`, but on some systems it’s an `int` for efficiency.

A limb means the part of a multi-precision number that fits in a single machine word. (We chose this word because a limb of the human body is analogous to a digit, only larger, and containing several digits.) Normally a limb is 32 or 64 bits. The C data type for a limb is `mp_limb_t`.

Counts of limbs of a multi-precision number represented in the C type `mp_size_t`. Currently this is normally a `long`, but on some systems it’s an `int` for efficiency, and on some systems it will be `long long` in the future.

Counts of bits of a multi-precision number are represented in the C type `mp_bitcnt_t`. Currently this is always an `unsigned long`, but on some systems it will be an `unsigned long long` in the future.

Random state means an algorithm selection and current state data. The C data type for such objects is `gmp_randstate_t`. For example:

    gmp_randstate_t rstate;

Also, in general `mp_bitcnt_t` is used for bit counts and ranges, and `size_t` is used for byte or character counts.

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