Embodiments of a processor are disclosed for performing arithmetic operations on a machine independent number format. The processor may include a floating point unit, and a number unit. The number format may include a sign/exponent block, a length block, and multiple mantissa digits. The number unit may be configured to perform an operation on two operands by converting the digit format of each mantissa digit of each operand, to perform the operation using the converted mantissa digits, and then to convert each mantissa digit of the result of the operation back into the original digit format.

Digit validation check control for execution of an instruction. A process obtains an instruction to perform operation(s) using input value(s). The instruction includes a no validation indicator for controlling whether digit validation check control is enabled for execution of the instruction. The process executes the instruction, including determining, based on the no validation indicator, whether digit validation check control is enabled for execution of the instruction, and performing processing based on the determining. Based on the no validation indicator being set to a defined value, digit validation check control is enabled and the processing includes forcing a digit check error indicator output by the executing to indicate no digit check error with respect to the at least one input value.

Negative zero control for execution of an instruction. A process obtains an instruction to perform operation(s) using an input value. The instruction includes a negative zero control indicator indicating whether negative zero control is enabled for execution of the instruction. The process executes the instruction, the executing including performing the operation(s) using the input value to obtain a result having a sign, determining whether to control the sign of the result, the determining being based at least in part on the negative zero control indicator being set to a defined value, and performing further processing, as part the executing the instruction, based on the determining.

Negative zero control for execution of an instruction. A process obtains an instruction to perform operation(s) using an input value. The instruction includes a negative zero control indicator indicating whether negative zero control is enabled for execution of the instruction. The process executes the instruction, the executing including performing the operation(s) using the input value to obtain a result having a sign, determining whether to control the sign of the result, the determining being based at least in part on the negative zero control indicator being set to a defined value, and performing further processing, as part the executing the instruction, based on the determining.

Digit validation check control for execution of an instruction. A process obtains an instruction to perform operation(s) using input value(s). The instruction includes a no validation indicator for controlling whether digit validation check control is enabled for execution of the instruction. The process executes the instruction, including determining, based on the no validation indicator, whether digit validation check control is enabled for execution of the instruction, and performing processing based on the determining. Based on the no validation indicator being set to a defined value, digit validation check control is enabled and the processing includes forcing a digit check error indicator output by the executing to indicate no digit check error with respect to the at least one input value.

Embodiments of a processor are disclosed for performing arithmetic operations on a machine independent number format. The processor may include a floating point unit, and a number unit. The number format may include a sign/exponent block, a length block, and multiple mantissa digits. The number unit may be configured to perform an operation on two operands by converting the digit format of each mantissa digit of each operand, to perform the operation using the converted mantissa digits, and then to convert each mantissa digit of the result of the operation back into the original digit format.

Embodiments of a processor are disclosed for performing arithmetic operations on a machine independent number format. The processor may include a floating point unit, and a number unit. The number format may include a sign/exponent block, a length block, and multiple mantissa digits. The number unit may be configured to perform an operation on two operands by converting the digit format of each mantissa digit of each operand, to perform the operation using the converted mantissa digits, and then to convert each mantissa digit of the result of the operation back into the original digit format.