Rational Numbers

[Nick Maclaren]

In article <mailman.2664.1168630485.32031.python-list at python.org>,
"Simon Brunning" <simon at brunningonline.net> writes:
|>
|> > |> but there are more use
|> > |> cases for Decimal than for Rational.
|> >
|> > That is dubious, but let's not start that one again.
|> 
|> Decimals are good for holding financial values. There's a whole lot of
|> software out there that deals with money.

Sigh.  I was hoping not to have that myth perpetrated again.

Financial calculations need decimal FIXED-point, with a precisely
specified precision.  It is claimed that decimal FLOATING-point
helps with providing that, but that claim is extremely dubious.
I can explain the problem in as much detail as you want, but would
very much rather not.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.