ENDIAN Meaning and
Definition
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Endian (noun):
Endian refers to a particular order in which the bytes of a multi-byte data type, such as an integer or floating-point number, are stored in the memory of a computer system. It determines the byte ordering used when transmitting data between different computer architectures or when storing data in memory.
There are two common types of endian: big endian and little endian. In big-endian systems, the most significant byte (MSB) of a multi-byte value is stored at the lowest memory address, while the least significant byte (LSB) is stored at the highest address. On the other hand, in little-endian systems, the LSB is stored in the lowest address, and the MSB resides in the highest address.
The choice of endian representation can impact the interoperability and compatibility of data between different systems. It becomes particularly important when exchanging data across networks or reading data from files created on different architectures. Endianness must be considered and handled appropriately to ensure data integrity and accurate interpretation.
The term "endian" is derived from the novel "Gulliver's Travels" by Jonathan Swift, where two political factions are at odds over whether to break boiled eggs at the big (wide) or little (narrow) end. This analogy illustrates the different approaches to organizing the byte order in a computer system.
Common Misspellings for ENDIAN
- endhan
- wndian
- sndian
- dndian
- rndian
- 4ndian
- 3ndian
- ebdian
- emdian
- ensian
- enxian
- encian
- enfian
- enrian
- eneian
- enduan
- endjan
- endkan
- endoan
- end9an
Etymology of ENDIAN
The term "endian" is derived from the name of Jonathan Swift, an Anglo-Irish writer and satirist, specifically his novel "Gulliver's Travels". In this novel, Swift describes two fictional nations, Lilliput and Blefuscu, who are at war with each other. The war originated from a dispute over which end of an egg should be cracked first.
In Lilliput, people crack eggs at the smaller end, while in Blefuscu, they crack eggs at the larger end. This difference in egg-cracking practices became a symbol of the deep-seated enmity between the two nations. It is from this fictional conflict that the terms "little-endian" and "big-endian" were coined.
In the context of computer science, these terms were later used to describe the byte ordering of multi-byte data types.
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