code not true?

[Moshe Zadka]

On Sat, 22 Apr 2000, John W. Baxter wrote:

> > > >>> print 7.0 == 7
> > > 1
> > > >>> print (.07 * 100) == 7
> > > 0
> > 
> > Because computers represent floats with too little bits.
> > Never ever compare two floats for equality!
> > 
> Not quite.  No number of bits is sufficient to represent .07 exactly in 
> the typical (and IEEE standard) representation.  

Yes, but enough bits could make sure that 0.07*100 is indistinguishable
from 7.0

But I agree with the point -- floats are evil. Very very evil. In fact,
I wouldn't mind at all if there was some specific command-line flag to the
interpreter to enable floats.

--
Moshe Zadka <mzadka at geocities.com>. 
http://www.oreilly.com/news/prescod_0300.html
http://www.linux.org.il -- we put the penguin in .com