Why Intel decimal library?

[Claudio L.]

From what I understand, WP34S used the Intel decimal library, and now also Free42 is using the Intel library.
My question is what are the advantages of the Intel library versus decNumber?

The following series of tests seem to prove that decNumber is faster than the Intel library:

http://speleotrove.com/decimal/dpintro.html

Of course, they are the maintainers of decNumber so they might be biased, but from what I see they are very similar in the functions they offer, with decNumber actually having some additional functions (though most of the advanced functions are only for the decNumber format, not for decFloats) if you are willing to pay the price in speed.

We are about to add real numbers to newRPL and wanted to discuss here these two contenders. I'm wondering what's the reason why everyone seems to be converging on the Intel library.

Claudio