| If you ask any computer expert about the | | | | screens full of numbers from left to right, and |
| advantage of computer | | | | top to bottom.Now you probably thinking, how does |
| use, two of their answers will be: The numeric | | | | this computing relate to the performance of the CPU, |
| computation capability, and the speed at which any | | | | or the whole computer as a whole.Here is the |
| task is done.There many more advantages for using | | | | answer:What I discussed so far is using certain |
| computers, but I will stress on the numeric | | | | numbers to get the result of the formula 2 power |
| computation aspect of those advantages.I have done | | | | 9,999,999. While running the calculation using "bc" in |
| a test involving numeric computing to test the power | | | | Linux. there another command to track the running |
| of my Central Processing Unit of my computer. What | | | | processes in real time.So, as you are running the |
| I also did the test using Windows Xp and Redhat | | | | calculations, you use another utility called "top" in |
| Linux, which are both installed on the same | | | | RedHat Linux.Once you run "top", the system shows |
| computer.One of the reasons why I did the test, | | | | you on the screen a list of applications, with all details |
| that I am about to explain, was my urge to sense | | | | about the resources consumed for each. The list is |
| the power of computer by looking at the | | | | updated every few seconds, and each line shows the |
| screen.Another reason was, I was getting fed up | | | | name of application.So, to see the computation |
| with Hearing about computer specs, without even | | | | performance of "bc", you look up the line that says |
| knowing what they can do, or mean.Here is an | | | | "bc". Then, you look on the same line that will show |
| example:Pentium II, 350 MHZ, Ram=256MB | | | | you information about "bc" like:1-the time it is been |
| Pentium III, 500 MHZ , Ram=512MB | | | | running |
| and so on...What is the power of the above specs?. | | | | 2-The memory consumption in % of total ram |
| How to approximate how many times the above P | | | | 3-How much CPU power is being used for the |
| III is more powerful than the P II?.Here is what I did:I | | | | application in % |
| used my Pentium II, Ram=288MBs computer that | | | | and more variables.You can watch the screen for |
| has Windows XP and Linux installed on the same | | | | the updated time the application |
| Hard disk in the same computer.I tried to use the | | | | has been running for the current moment. Once the |
| maximum numeric computational power of the | | | | calculation is presented on the screen, you will know |
| computer by trying to get the result of multiplying | | | | the calculation is done. You look at the time you just |
| the number '2" by itself 99 times and every time I | | | | recorded right before the application ended.The time |
| got a result, I added another "9" until the computer | | | | the application took to calculate the formula: |
| can't handle the numbers anymore.Using Windows | | | | 2^9,999,999 and the memory used, in addition to the |
| Xp, I ran the calculator by typing "calc.exe" in the Run | | | | CPU power will give you an approximate idea about |
| box. Then, I used the scientific calculator to handle | | | | what your computer can do.Also, you can use the |
| the exponential calculation.The most I was able to | | | | above test to compare two computers and get and |
| compute was 2 power 99,999. When I tried 2 power | | | | idea about the power.Here is an example:If computer |
| 999,999, Windows XP resulted in an error saying: | | | | P II, Ram=256Mbs took 30 minutes to compute |
| "Invalid input for function"Then, I rebooted my | | | | 2^9,999,999; then, you ran the same test |
| computer, and picked Redhat Linux to run on the | | | | 2^9,999,999 with P III, Ram=512Mbs that took |
| same computer instead of Windows Xp. Once Linux | | | | about 15 minutes, which is 1/2 the time it took |
| prompted me to login, I used the mathematical utility | | | | before.Then, you can approximate that the power of |
| Linux has. It is called by typing "bc" at the command | | | | P III is about twice that of P II. Do, you get the |
| line.Once I ran "bc", I typed 2^99,999, the same | | | | idea?In summary, there is an easy way for you to |
| maximum number I used in Windows Xp calculator . | | | | explore the power and performance in front of you, |
| In about 2 seconds, i got the result.Then, I tried a | | | | right on the screen. I was able to achieve this task |
| bigger number, 2^999,999 which Windows Xp | | | | by using Linux, and Windows XP that are installed on |
| scientific calculator could not handle. In about 5 | | | | the same computer. I also found out that Linux can |
| seconds, I got the result on the screen. then, I | | | | do better computation that Windows |
| added one more digit to compute 2^9,999,999 which | | | | Xp.Thanks,George Chamoun created a Free guide |
| is 2 multiplied by itself 10 Millions times minus one.I | | | | that shows you step by step how to install two |
| waited about 35 minutes, then Linux BC application | | | | operating systems. |
| produced the result on the screen by showing few | | | | |