Quiz submission record for quiz3-2-1 at Wed Jul  7 09:55:46 2004:

Your Answer for Question 1:
When converting instructions to machine code, commands and values are all converted to just ones and zeroes.
By just switching off one bit, someone could totally change the meaning of the entire code, without it being noticeable or rectifiable for a long time. One technique that could prevent this is strong documentation of code and lots of back-up, but this would include waste of memory and time.

Your Answer for Question 2:
Any number smallest than the smallest representable number are called subnormal. they are not representable and create holes in the number line. 

Your Answer for Question 3:
Because of a lack of the guard bit in double precision

Your Answer for Question 4:
The big advantage would be portability- one of the greatest aspects of computer programs is their ability to be used anywhere in the world with a computer of any architecture.
The disadvantage would be that by creating a universal standard, processors will be unable to take advantage of any features that might be unique to their system but might help make things work faster and more efficiently.


Your unique submission ID is quiz3-2-1-cs61c-aq-1089219346-335.