Add reading/writing of floats and doubles from/to buffers

Code for readIEEE754/writeIEEE754 is from jspack: http://code.google.com/p/jspack/

8 files changed, 640 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/LICENSE b/LICENSE
index 3d1e95ccf6..0a4aa24162 100644
--- a/LICENSE
+++ b/LICENSE
@@ -66,3 +66,6 @@ The externally maintained libraries used by Node are:
 
   - tools/cpplint.py is copyright Google Inc. and released under a
     BSD license.
+
+  - lib/buffer_ieee754.js is copyright 2008 Fair Oaks Labs, Inc. and released
+    under the New BSD license.
diff --git a/doc/api/buffers.markdown b/doc/api/buffers.markdown
index d3f88b79c2..616ccf6fb2 100644
--- a/doc/api/buffers.markdown
+++ b/doc/api/buffers.markdown
@@ -275,6 +275,48 @@ bytes from the buffer in.
 Works as `buffer.readUInt32`, except buffer contents are treated as twos
 complement signed values.
 
+### buffer.readFloat(offset, endian)
+
+Reads a 32 bit float from the buffer at the specified offset. Endian must be
+either 'big' or 'little' and specifies what endian ordering to read the bytes
+from the buffer in.
+
+Example:
+
+    var buf = new Buffer(4);
+
+    buf[0] = 0x00;
+    buf[1] = 0x00;
+    buf[2] = 0x80;
+    buf[3] = 0x3f;
+
+    console.log(buf.readFloat(0, 'little');
+
+    // 0x01
+
+### buffer.readDouble(offset, endian)
+
+Reads a 64 bit double from the buffer at the specified offset. Endian must be
+either 'big' or 'little' and specifies what endian ordering to read the bytes
+from the buffer in.
+
+Example:
+
+    var buf = new Buffer(8);
+
+    buf[0] = 0x55;
+    buf[1] = 0x55;
+    buf[2] = 0x55;
+    buf[3] = 0x55;
+    buf[4] = 0x55;
+    buf[5] = 0x55;
+    buf[6] = 0xd5;
+    buf[7] = 0x3f;
+
+    console.log(buf.readDouble(0, 'little');
+
+    // 0.3333333333333333
+
 ### buffer.writeUInt8(value, offset, endian)
 
 Writes `value` to the buffer at the specified offset with specified endian
@@ -364,6 +406,44 @@ format. Note, `value` must be a valid 16 bit signed integer.
 Works as `buffer.writeUInt832, except value is written out as a two's complement
 signed integer into `buffer`.
 
+### buffer.writeFloat(value, offset, endian)
+
+Writes `value` to the buffer at the specified offset with specified endian
+format. Note, `value` must be a valid 32 bit float.
+
+Example:
+
+    var buf = new Buffer(4);
+    buf.writeFloat(0xcafebabe, 0, 'big');
+
+    console.log(buf);
+
+    buf.writeFloat(0xcafebabe, 0, 'little');
+
+    console.log(buf);
+
+    // <Buffer 4f 4a fe bb>
+    // <Buffer bb fe 4a 4f>
+
+### buffer.writeDouble(value, offset, endian)
+
+Writes `value` to the buffer at the specified offset with specified endian
+format. Note, `value` must be a valid 64 bit double.
+
+Example:
+
+    var buf = new Buffer(8);
+    buf.writeFloat(0xdeadbeefcafebabe, 0, 'big');
+
+    console.log(buf);
+
+    buf.writeFloat(0xdeadbeefcafebabe, 0, 'little');
+
+    console.log(buf);
+
+    // <Buffer 43 eb d5 b7 dd f9 5f d7>
+    // <Buffer d7 5f f9 dd b7 d5 eb 43>
+
 
 ### buffer.fill(value, offset=0, length=-1)
 
diff --git a/lib/buffer.js b/lib/buffer.js
index 5df6f915f1..b47dd715a8 100644
--- a/lib/buffer.js
+++ b/lib/buffer.js
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 // USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
 
 var SlowBuffer = process.binding('buffer').SlowBuffer;
+var IEEE754 = require('buffer_ieee754');
 var assert = require('assert');
 
 
@@ -684,6 +685,43 @@ Buffer.prototype.readInt32 = function(offset, endian) {
 };
 
 
+Buffer.prototype.readFloat = function(offset, endian) {
+  var buffer = this;
+
+  assert.ok(endian !== undefined && endian !== null,
+    'missing endian');
+
+  assert.ok(endian == 'big' || endian == 'little',
+    'bad endian value');
+
+  assert.ok(offset !== undefined && offset !== null,
+    'missing offset');
+
+  assert.ok(offset + 3 < buffer.length,
+    'Trying to read beyond buffer length');
+
+  return IEEE754.readIEEE754(buffer, offset, endian, 23, 4);
+};
+
+Buffer.prototype.readDouble = function(offset, endian) {
+  var buffer = this;
+
+  assert.ok(endian !== undefined && endian !== null,
+    'missing endian');
+
+  assert.ok(endian == 'big' || endian == 'little',
+    'bad endian value');
+
+  assert.ok(offset !== undefined && offset !== null,
+    'missing offset');
+
+  assert.ok(offset + 7 < buffer.length,
+    'Trying to read beyond buffer length');
+
+  return IEEE754.readIEEE754(buffer, offset, endian, 52, 8);
+};
+
+
 /*
  * We have to make sure that the value is a valid integer. This means that it is
  * non-negative. It has no fractional component and that it does not exceed the
@@ -843,6 +881,17 @@ function verifsint(value, max, min) {
   assert.ok(Math.floor(value) === value, 'value has a fractional component');
 }
 
+
+function verifIEEE754(value, max, min) {
+  assert.ok(typeof (value) == 'number',
+    'cannot write a non-number as a number');
+
+  assert.ok(value <= max, 'value larger than maximum allowed value');
+
+  assert.ok(value >= min, 'value smaller than minimum allowed value');
+}
+
+
 Buffer.prototype.writeInt8 = function(value, offset, endian) {
   var buffer = this;
 
@@ -924,3 +973,49 @@ Buffer.prototype.writeInt32 = function(value, offset, endian) {
     buffer.writeUInt32(0xffffffff + value + 1, offset, endian);
   }
 };
+
+
+Buffer.prototype.writeFloat = function(value, offset, endian) {
+  var buffer = this;
+
+  assert.ok(value !== undefined && value !== null,
+    'missing value');
+
+  assert.ok(endian !== undefined && endian !== null,
+    'missing endian');
+
+  assert.ok(endian == 'big' || endian == 'little',
+    'bad endian value');
+
+  assert.ok(offset !== undefined && offset !== null,
+    'missing offset');
+
+  assert.ok(offset + 3 < buffer.length,
+    'Trying to read beyond buffer length');
+
+  verifIEEE754(value, 3.4028234663852886e+38, -3.4028234663852886e+38);
+  IEEE754.writeIEEE754(buffer, value, offset, endian, 23, 4);
+};
+
+
+Buffer.prototype.writeDouble = function(value, offset, endian) {
+  var buffer = this;
+
+  assert.ok(value !== undefined && value !== null,
+    'missing value');
+
+  assert.ok(endian !== undefined && endian !== null,
+    'missing endian');
+
+  assert.ok(endian == 'big' || endian == 'little',
+    'bad endian value');
+
+  assert.ok(offset !== undefined && offset !== null,
+    'missing offset');
+
+  assert.ok(offset + 7 < buffer.length,
+    'Trying to read beyond buffer length');
+
+  verifIEEE754(value, 1.7976931348623157E+308, -1.7976931348623157E+308);
+  IEEE754.writeIEEE754(buffer, value, offset, endian, 52, 8);
+};
diff --git a/lib/buffer_ieee754.js b/lib/buffer_ieee754.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5d2af613b9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/buffer_ieee754.js
@@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
+// Copyright (c) 2008, Fair Oaks Labs, Inc.
+// All rights reserved.
+// 
+// Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+// modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
+// 
+//  * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice,
+//    this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+// 
+//  * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice,
+//    this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation
+//    and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
+// 
+//  * Neither the name of Fair Oaks Labs, Inc. nor the names of its contributors
+//    may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software
+//    without specific prior written permission.
+// 
+// THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
+// AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
+// IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
+// ARE DISCLAIMED.  IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE
+// LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR
+// CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF
+// SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS
+// INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN
+// CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE)
+// ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
+// POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+//
+//
+// Modifications to writeIEEE754 to support negative zeroes made by Brian White
+
+exports.readIEEE754 = function(buffer, offset, endian, mLen, nBytes) {
+  var e, m,
+      bBE = (endian === 'big'),
+      eLen = nBytes * 8 - mLen - 1,
+      eMax = (1 << eLen) - 1,
+      eBias = eMax >> 1,
+      nBits = -7,
+      i = bBE ? 0 : (nBytes - 1),
+      d = bBE ? 1 : -1,
+      s = buffer[offset + i];
+
+  i += d;
+
+  e = s & ((1 << (-nBits)) - 1);
+  s >>= (-nBits);
+  nBits += eLen;
+  for (; nBits > 0; e = e * 256 + buffer[offset + i], i += d, nBits -= 8);
+
+  m = e & ((1 << (-nBits)) - 1);
+  e >>= (-nBits);
+  nBits += mLen;
+  for (; nBits > 0; m = m * 256 + buffer[offset + i], i += d, nBits -= 8);
+
+  if (e === 0) {
+    e = 1 - eBias;
+  } else if (e === eMax) {
+    return m ? NaN : ((s ? -1 : 1) * Infinity);
+  } else {
+    m = m + Math.pow(2, mLen);
+    e = e - eBias;
+  }
+  return (s ? -1 : 1) * m * Math.pow(2, e - mLen);
+};
+
+exports.writeIEEE754 = function(buffer, value, offset, endian, mLen, nBytes) {
+  var e, m, c,
+      bBE = (endian === 'big'),
+      eLen = nBytes * 8 - mLen - 1,
+      eMax = (1 << eLen) - 1,
+      eBias = eMax >> 1,
+      rt = (mLen === 23 ? Math.pow(2, -24) - Math.pow(2, -77) : 0),
+      i = bBE ? (nBytes-1) : 0,
+      d = bBE ? -1 : 1,
+      s = value < 0 || (value === 0 && 1 / value < 0) ? 1 : 0;
+
+  value = Math.abs(value);
+
+  if (isNaN(value) || value === Infinity) {
+    m = isNaN(value) ? 1 : 0;
+    e = eMax;
+  } else {
+    e = Math.floor(Math.log(value) / Math.LN2);
+    if (value * (c = Math.pow(2, -e)) < 1) {
+      e--;
+      c *= 2;
+    }
+    if (e+eBias >= 1) {
+      value += rt / c;
+    } else {
+      value += rt * Math.pow(2, 1 - eBias);
+    }
+    if (value * c >= 2) {
+      e++;
+      c /= 2;
+    }
+
+    if (e + eBias >= eMax) {
+      m = 0;
+      e = eMax;
+    } else if (e + eBias >= 1) {
+      m = (value * c - 1) * Math.pow(2, mLen);
+      e = e + eBias;
+    } else {
+      m = value * Math.pow(2, eBias - 1) * Math.pow(2, mLen);
+      e = 0;
+    }
+  }
+
+  for (; mLen >= 8; buffer[offset + i] = m & 0xff, i += d, m /= 256, mLen -= 8);
+
+  e = (e << mLen) | m;
+  eLen += mLen;
+  for (; eLen > 0; buffer[offset + i] = e & 0xff, i += d, e /= 256, eLen -= 8);
+
+  buffer[offset + i - d] |= s * 128;
+};
diff --git a/test/simple/test-readdouble.js b/test/simple/test-readdouble.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0a41547bf2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/simple/test-readdouble.js
@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+/*
+ * Tests to verify we're reading in doubles correctly
+ */
+var ASSERT = require('assert');
+
+/*
+ * Test (64 bit) double
+ */
+function test() {
+  var buffer = new Buffer(8);
+  buffer[0] = 0x55;
+  buffer[1] = 0x55;
+  buffer[2] = 0x55;
+  buffer[3] = 0x55;
+  buffer[4] = 0x55;
+  buffer[5] = 0x55;
+  buffer[6] = 0xd5;
+  buffer[7] = 0x3f;
+  ASSERT.equal(1.1945305291680097e+103, buffer.readDouble(0, 'big'));
+  ASSERT.equal(0.3333333333333333, buffer.readDouble(0, 'little'));
+
+  buffer[0] = 1;
+  buffer[1] = 0;
+  buffer[2] = 0;
+  buffer[3] = 0;
+  buffer[4] = 0;
+  buffer[5] = 0;
+  buffer[6] = 0xf0;
+  buffer[7] = 0x3f;
+  ASSERT.equal(7.291122019655968e-304, buffer.readDouble(0, 'big'));
+  ASSERT.equal(1.0000000000000002, buffer.readDouble(0, 'little'));
+
+  buffer[0] = 2;
+  ASSERT.equal(4.778309726801735e-299, buffer.readDouble(0, 'big'));
+  ASSERT.equal(1.0000000000000004, buffer.readDouble(0, 'little'));
+
+  buffer[0] = 1;
+  buffer[6] = 0;
+  buffer[7] = 0;
+  ASSERT.equal(7.291122019556398e-304, buffer.readDouble(0, 'big'));
+  ASSERT.equal(5e-324, buffer.readDouble(0, 'little'));
+
+  buffer[0] = 0xff;
+  buffer[1] = 0xff;
+  buffer[2] = 0xff;
+  buffer[3] = 0xff;
+  buffer[4] = 0xff;
+  buffer[5] = 0xff;
+  buffer[6] = 0x0f;
+  buffer[7] = 0x00;
+  ASSERT.ok(isNaN(buffer.readDouble(0, 'big')));
+  ASSERT.equal(2.225073858507201e-308, buffer.readDouble(0, 'little'));
+
+  buffer[6] = 0xef;
+  buffer[7] = 0x7f;
+  ASSERT.ok(isNaN(buffer.readDouble(0, 'big')));
+  ASSERT.equal(1.7976931348623157e+308, buffer.readDouble(0, 'little'));
+
+  buffer[0] = 0;
+  buffer[1] = 0;
+  buffer[2] = 0;
+  buffer[3] = 0;
+  buffer[4] = 0;
+  buffer[5] = 0;
+  buffer[6] = 0xf0;
+  buffer[7] = 0x3f;
+  ASSERT.equal(3.03865e-319, buffer.readDouble(0, 'big'));
+  ASSERT.equal(1, buffer.readDouble(0, 'little'));
+
+  buffer[6] = 0;
+  buffer[7] = 0x40;
+  ASSERT.equal(3.16e-322, buffer.readDouble(0, 'big'));
+  ASSERT.equal(2, buffer.readDouble(0, 'little'));
+
+  buffer[7] = 0xc0;
+  ASSERT.equal(9.5e-322, buffer.readDouble(0, 'big'));
+  ASSERT.equal(-2, buffer.readDouble(0, 'little'));
+
+  buffer[6] = 0x10;
+  buffer[7] = 0;
+  ASSERT.equal(2.0237e-320, buffer.readDouble(0, 'big'));
+  ASSERT.equal(2.2250738585072014e-308, buffer.readDouble(0, 'little'));
+
+  buffer[6] = 0;
+  ASSERT.equal(0, buffer.readDouble(0, 'big'));
+  ASSERT.equal(0, buffer.readDouble(0, 'little'));
+  ASSERT.equal(false, 1/buffer.readDouble(0, 'little')<0);
+
+  buffer[7] = 0x80;
+  ASSERT.equal(6.3e-322, buffer.readDouble(0, 'big'));
+  ASSERT.equal(0, buffer.readDouble(0, 'little'));
+  ASSERT.equal(true, 1/buffer.readDouble(0, 'little')<0);
+
+  buffer[6] = 0xf0;
+  buffer[7] = 0x7f;
+  ASSERT.equal(3.0418e-319, buffer.readDouble(0, 'big'));
+  ASSERT.equal(Infinity, buffer.readDouble(0, 'little'));
+
+  buffer[6] = 0xf0;
+  buffer[7] = 0xff;
+  ASSERT.equal(3.04814e-319, buffer.readDouble(0, 'big'));
+  ASSERT.equal(-Infinity, buffer.readDouble(0, 'little'));
+}
+
+
+test();
diff --git a/test/simple/test-readfloat.js b/test/simple/test-readfloat.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7127239e05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/simple/test-readfloat.js
@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+/*
+ * Tests to verify we're reading in floats correctly
+ */
+var ASSERT = require('assert');
+
+/*
+ * Test (32 bit) float
+ */
+function test() {
+  var buffer = new Buffer(4);
+  buffer[0] = 0;
+  buffer[1] = 0;
+  buffer[2] = 0x80;
+  buffer[3] = 0x3f;
+  ASSERT.equal(4.600602988224807e-41, buffer.readFloat(0, 'big'));
+  ASSERT.equal(1, buffer.readFloat(0, 'little'));
+
+  buffer[0] = 0;
+  buffer[1] = 0;
+  buffer[2] = 0;
+  buffer[3] = 0xc0;
+  ASSERT.equal(2.6904930515036488e-43, buffer.readFloat(0, 'big'));
+  ASSERT.equal(-2, buffer.readFloat(0, 'little'));
+
+  buffer[0] = 0xff;
+  buffer[1] = 0xff;
+  buffer[2] = 0x7f;
+  buffer[3] = 0x7f;
+  ASSERT.ok(isNaN(buffer.readFloat(0, 'big')));
+  ASSERT.equal(3.4028234663852886e+38, buffer.readFloat(0, 'little'));
+
+  buffer[0] = 0xab;
+  buffer[1] = 0xaa;
+  buffer[2] = 0xaa;
+  buffer[3] = 0x3e;
+  ASSERT.equal(-1.2126478207002966e-12, buffer.readFloat(0, 'big'));
+  ASSERT.equal(0.3333333432674408, buffer.readFloat(0, 'little'));
+
+  buffer[0] = 0;
+  buffer[1] = 0;
+  buffer[2] = 0;
+  buffer[3] = 0;
+  ASSERT.equal(0, buffer.readFloat(0, 'big'));
+  ASSERT.equal(0, buffer.readFloat(0, 'little'));
+  ASSERT.equal(false, 1/buffer.readFloat(0, 'little')<0);
+
+  buffer[3] = 0x80;
+  ASSERT.equal(1.793662034335766e-43, buffer.readFloat(0, 'big'));
+  ASSERT.equal(0, buffer.readFloat(0, 'little'));
+  ASSERT.equal(true, 1/buffer.readFloat(0, 'little')<0);
+
+  buffer[0] = 0;
+  buffer[1] = 0;
+  buffer[2] = 0x80;
+  buffer[3] = 0x7f;
+  ASSERT.equal(4.609571298396486e-41, buffer.readFloat(0, 'big'));
+  ASSERT.equal(Infinity, buffer.readFloat(0, 'little'));
+
+  buffer[0] = 0;
+  buffer[1] = 0;
+  buffer[2] = 0x80;
+  buffer[3] = 0xff;
+  ASSERT.equal(4.627507918739843e-41, buffer.readFloat(0, 'big'));
+  ASSERT.equal(-Infinity, buffer.readFloat(0, 'little'));
+}
+
+
+test();
diff --git a/test/simple/test-writedouble.js b/test/simple/test-writedouble.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a1bc438b48
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/simple/test-writedouble.js
@@ -0,0 +1,105 @@
+/*
+ * Tests to verify we're writing doubles correctly
+ */
+var ASSERT = require('assert');
+
+function test() {
+  var buffer = new Buffer(16);
+  buffer.writeDouble(2.225073858507201e-308, 0, 'big');
+  buffer.writeDouble(2.225073858507201e-308, 8, 'little');
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[0]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x0f, buffer[1]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xff, buffer[2]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xff, buffer[3]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xff, buffer[4]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xff, buffer[5]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xff, buffer[6]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xff, buffer[7]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xff, buffer[8]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xff, buffer[9]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xff, buffer[10]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xff, buffer[11]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xff, buffer[12]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xff, buffer[13]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x0f, buffer[14]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[15]);
+
+  buffer.writeDouble(1.0000000000000004, 0, 'big');
+  buffer.writeDouble(1.0000000000000004, 8, 'little');
+  ASSERT.equal(0x3f, buffer[0]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xf0, buffer[1]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[2]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[3]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[4]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[5]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[6]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x02, buffer[7]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x02, buffer[8]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[9]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[10]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[11]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[12]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[13]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xf0, buffer[14]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x3f, buffer[15]);
+
+  buffer.writeDouble(-2, 0, 'big');
+  buffer.writeDouble(-2, 8, 'little');
+  ASSERT.equal(0xc0, buffer[0]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[1]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[2]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[3]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[4]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[5]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[6]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[7]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[8]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[9]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[10]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[11]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[12]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[13]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[14]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xc0, buffer[15]);
+
+  buffer.writeDouble(1.7976931348623157e+308, 0, 'big');
+  buffer.writeDouble(1.7976931348623157e+308, 8, 'little');
+  ASSERT.equal(0x7f, buffer[0]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xef, buffer[1]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xff, buffer[2]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xff, buffer[3]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xff, buffer[4]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xff, buffer[5]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xff, buffer[6]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xff, buffer[7]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xff, buffer[8]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xff, buffer[9]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xff, buffer[10]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xff, buffer[11]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xff, buffer[12]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xff, buffer[13]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xef, buffer[14]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x7f, buffer[15]);
+
+  buffer.writeDouble(0*-1, 0, 'big');
+  buffer.writeDouble(0*-1, 8, 'little');
+  ASSERT.equal(0x80, buffer[0]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[1]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[2]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[3]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[4]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[5]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[6]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[7]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[8]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[9]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[10]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[11]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[12]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[13]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[14]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x80, buffer[15]);
+}
+
+
+test();
diff --git a/test/simple/test-writefloat.js b/test/simple/test-writefloat.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..85d3d6279d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/simple/test-writefloat.js
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+/*
+ * Tests to verify we're writing floats correctly
+ */
+var ASSERT = require('assert');
+
+function test() {
+  var buffer = new Buffer(8);
+  buffer.writeFloat(1, 0, 'big');
+  buffer.writeFloat(1, 4, 'little');
+  ASSERT.equal(0x3f, buffer[0]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x80, buffer[1]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[2]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[3]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[4]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[5]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x80, buffer[6]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x3f, buffer[7]);
+
+  buffer.writeFloat(1.793662034335766e-43, 0, 'big');
+  buffer.writeFloat(1.793662034335766e-43, 4, 'little');
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[0]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[1]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[2]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x80, buffer[3]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x80, buffer[4]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[5]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[6]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[7]);
+
+  buffer.writeFloat(1/3, 0, 'big');
+  buffer.writeFloat(1/3, 4, 'little');
+  ASSERT.equal(0x3e, buffer[0]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xaa, buffer[1]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xaa, buffer[2]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xab, buffer[3]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xab, buffer[4]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xaa, buffer[5]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xaa, buffer[6]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x3e, buffer[7]);
+
+  buffer.writeFloat(3.4028234663852886e+38, 0, 'big');
+  buffer.writeFloat(3.4028234663852886e+38, 4, 'little');
+  ASSERT.equal(0x7f, buffer[0]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x7f, buffer[1]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xff, buffer[2]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xff, buffer[3]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xff, buffer[4]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0xff, buffer[5]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x7f, buffer[6]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x7f, buffer[7]);
+
+  buffer.writeFloat(0*-1, 0, 'big');
+  buffer.writeFloat(0*-1, 4, 'little');
+  ASSERT.equal(0x80, buffer[0]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[1]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[2]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[3]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[4]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[5]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x00, buffer[6]);
+  ASSERT.equal(0x80, buffer[7]);
+}
+
+
+test();