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C++ proposal: There are exactly 8 bits in a byte

(www.open-std.org)
182 points Twirrim | 3 comments | 17 Oct 24 22:21 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source
1. masfuerte ◴[18 Oct 24 00:12 UTC] No.41875136[source]▶
This is entertaining and probably a good idea but the justification is very abstract.

Specifically, has there even been a C++ compiler on a system where bytes weren't 8 bits? If so, when was it last updated?

replies(2): >>41875156 #>>41875179 #
2. userbinator ◴[18 Oct 24 00:17 UTC] No.41875156[source]▶
I know some DSPs have 24-bit "bytes", and there are C compilers available for them.
3. bryanlarsen ◴[18 Oct 24 00:21 UTC] No.41875179[source]▶
There were/are C++ compilers for PDP-10 (9 bit byte). Those haven't been maintained AFAICT, but there are C++ compilers for various DSP's where the smallest unit of access is 16 or 32 bits that are still being sold.