What is a leading zero detector?

Didnt know where to post this but here goes

What is a leading zero detector?

Does it give you the number of most significant zero bits?

Eg x = 8'b 00010001

should it return 3?


Thanks

blakaxe@gmail.com wrote:
> Didnt know where to post this but here goes
>
> What is a leading zero detector?
>
> Does it give you the number of most significant zero bits?
>
> Eg x = 8'b 00010001
>
> should it return 3?
>
>
> Thanks

Your question is vague because there is no standard for this
function. A "detector" usually indicates presence such that your
example would return "true." The common use, however, is a "leading
zero counter" which would return 3 but is a counter, not a detector.

You have to frame the answer within the context which you haven't
provided.

- John_H