I just recently discovered FloatArray by accident.
I was close to having to use Python/Numpy due to considerable
performance differences. Performance is very important.
In one of my test using a 212000 item array of floats and doing a sum on
each iteration through the array Pharo was taking 17 minutes verses
Python/Numpy taking 20 seconds. Using FloatArray closes the gap to 40
seconds. That is acceptable.
However when looking at the FloatArray comment it says it uses 32bit
floats. I need 64bit. I don't even know where to look to create 64bit
FloatArrays. I am surprised that they didn't get converted when moving
to 64bit Pharo.
Would I need to change VM source? Compile a new VM and create image side
classes? I have not messed with VM in years. I do not know where the
FloatArray plugin would be.
Any pointers would be a great help. If this needs to be on the vm-dev
list I can move it there.
Thanks.
Jimmie
