title: long double vs double
body: <p>I know that size of various data types can change depending on which system I am on.</p>
  <p>I use XP 32bits, and using the <code>sizeof()</code> operator in C++, it seems like <code>long double</code> is 12 bytes, and <code>double</code> is 8.</p>
  <p>However, most major sources states that <code>long double</code> is 8 bytes, and the range is therefore the same as a <code>double</code>.</p>
  <p>How come I have 12 bytes? If <code>long double</code> is indeed 12 bytes, doesn't this extends the range of value also? Or the long signature is only used (the compiler figures) when the value exceed the range of a double, and thus, extends beyond 8 bytes?</p>