Most functions are available in both a type float and a type double version, with names of the two versions sharing a common root. Some functions also are available in type int, or the IMSL‑defined types f_complex or d_complex versions. A list of each type and the corresponding prefix of the function name in which multiple type versions exist follows:

The section names for the functions only contain the common root to make finding the functions easier. For example, the functions imsl_f_lin_sol_gen and imsl_d_lin_sol_gen can be found in section lin_sol_gen in Chapter 1, “Linear Systems.”

Where appropriate, the same variable name is used consistently throughout a chapter in the IMSL C Math Library. For example, in the functions for eigensystem analysis, eval denotes the vector of eigenvalues and n_eval denotes the number of eigenvalues computed or to be computed.

When writing programs accessing the IMSL C Math Library, the user should choose C names that do not conflict with IMSL external names. The careful user can avoid any conflicts with IMSL names if, in choosing names, the following rule is observed: