[Python-Dev] Revamping Python's Numeric Model

[Martin v. Loewis]

> Is there some API for it in C?

In C99, you have access to the floating-point environment:

               #include <fenv.h>
               /* ... */
               {
                       #pragma STDC FENV_ACCESS ON
                       int set_excepts;
                       feclearexcept(FE_INEXACT | FE_OVERFLOW);
                       // maybe raise exceptions
                       set_excepts = fetestexcept(FE_INEXACT | FE_OVERFLOW);
                       if (set_excepts & FE_INEXACT) f();
                       if (set_excepts & FE_OVERFLOW) g();
                       /* ... */
               }

It defines the following symbolic exception constants:

               FE_DIVBYZERO
               FE_INEXACT
               FE_INVALID
               FE_OVERFLOW
               FE_UNDERFLOW

Few compilers support that, though.

Regards,
Martin