Computer Instructions: Storage Order

Big-Endian Pros:

• Big-endian systems store the most significant byte first, making it easier to understand and compare data when looking at memory in a human-readable format.
• This ordering aligns well with numeric systems, like those commonly used in network protocols (e.g., IP addresses), enhancing compatibility in network data transfer.
• Many older systems use big-endian format, so there is widespread legacy support.
• Debugging in big-endian systems can be simpler since the byte ordering often matches expected numeric notation.

Big-Endian Cons:

• Such systems can be less efficient for certain arithmetic operations on smaller data types, as they often require additional shifts to access the least significant byte.
• This format may require byte-swapping when exchanging data with little-endian systems, adding complexity in cross-platform development.
• Memory handling may sometimes be slower on modern processors, especially when bitwise operations are involved.