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c++doubleipv6

Can double be used to store and safely retrieve 128 bit IPv6?


As we know double can store number from ±4.94065645841246544e-324 to ±1.79769313486231570e+308. Can we store 128 bits value like IPv6 in double and retrieve as it is? For example, to store IPv4 we can use a 32 bit integer and store them as 8 bits partition. And we can retrieve them by using bit masking.

There is no standard container to store 128 bit in any language AFAIK. I know double can store 64 bits safely without any precision error but is there any hack?


Solution

  • Technically you could, if sizeof(double) * CHAR_BITS ≥ 128 (it's 64bits on my machine), but why would you do that? Instead of reinventing the wheel use sockaddr_in6, or, if you must, an array of uint8_t or a std::bitset.

    Related answer: Efficient way to store IPv4/IPv6 addresses