If I'm trying to replicate a program in another language. Is it unwise to use more precision?
<p>I'm in the process of converting a program from Scilab code to C++ and it's essential for me to maintain the results produced by Scilab.</p>

<p>I'm aware that Scilab uses IEEE 754 double precision and that C++ doubles (although not required to) are implemented in a similar way.</p>

<p><strong>Is it then a bad idea to use higher precision (e.g.</strong> <code>long double</code>) <strong>in C++ if I'm trying to exactly match the results of Scilab?</strong></p>

<p><strong>For example:</strong> Is it possible for Scilab to calculate a number to be 0.1234 whereas in C++ using long doubles the number would be 0.12345. Thus potentially creating a variance that would result in the two programs producing <strong><em>different</em></strong> results (albeit more accurate in C++).</p>