# Utility Functions and Routines

This section describes ScaLAPACK utility functions and routines. Summary information about these routines is given in the following table:

ScaLAPACK Utility Functions and Routines
Routine Name | Data Types | Description
--- | --- | ---
p?labad | s,d | Returns the square root of the underflow and overflow thresholds if the exponent-range is very large.
p?lachkieee | s,d | Performs a simple check for the features of the IEEE standard. (C interface function).
p?lamch | s,d | Determines machine parameters for floating-point arithmetic.
p?lasnbt | s,d | Computes the position of the sign bit of a floating-point number. (C interface function).
pxerbla |  | Error handling routine called by ScaLAPACK routines.