FLOATING POINT
Exponential Numeric Mode
This directive removes the normal rounding in the manipulation of fixed-point numbers and uses an exponential form of representation for numbers exceeding the fixed-point size limits. 14-place computational accuracy is maintained within a range from +/-.99999999999999E-114 through +/-.99999999999999E+141.
Syntax
Section titled “Syntax”FLOATING POINTRemarks
Section titled “Remarks”Thoroughbred Basic accepts and processes numbers expressed in exponential form whether or not FLOATING POINT is set.
FLOATING POINT and PRECISION are mutually exclusive directives.
FLOATING POINT is removed and PRECISION set by BEGIN, CLEAR, END, LOAD, PRECISION, RESET, or STOP directives, or a RUN directive that specifies a program name.
FLOATING POINT or PRECISION directives must be used if any numeric values are to be processed or output with more than 2 significant digits.
Although the exponent portion of a FLOATING POINT variable can range from +141 to -114, the exponent portion of a FLOATING POINT constant is limited to a range of +128 to -127.
Examples
Section titled “Examples”FLOATING POINTIf X=.12345678901234, Y=12345678901234, and Z=.5E+128, values are processed as follows:
Value- Produces
5E-14- .00000000000005
5E-15- .5E-14
X*1E-13 .12345678901234E-13
Y*100- .12345678901234E+16
.654321- .654321
1E127- .1E+128
1E128- Error (exceeds max value)
1E127*10 .1E+129
1E-128- .1E-127
1E-129- Error (exceeds max value)
Z*100- .5E+130
See also
Section titled “See also”PRECISION directive
From the Thoroughbred Basic Language Reference, Volume II: F–Q, version 8.9.1. Open this page in the PDF