Re: Possreps and numeric types

From: Gene Wirchenko <genew_at_ocis.net>
Date: Thu, 29 Mar 2007 09:33:23 -0700
Message-ID: <egqn03dnl7rpgf49idhmtehru6oes84bs1_at_4ax.com>


"David Cressey" <cressey73_at_verizon.net> wrote:

>"Gene Wirchenko" <genew_at_ocis.net> wrote in message
>news:b1bm035ih2tc11fjisnk04ep6a7cecc2pv_at_4ax.com...
>> Bob Badour <bbadour_at_pei.sympatico.ca> wrote:
>>
>> [snip]
>>
>> >I admit I used epsilon somewhat sloppily and not necessarily with the
>> >exact meaning used when discussing a particular floating-point
>> >implementation. I used it to mean the distance to the representable
>> >predecessor or successor of any representable rational value.
>>
>> That is incorrect. It is per
>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_epsilon
>> In a floating-point system, epsilon is the smallest number such that
>> 1 + epsilon > 1
>>
>
>The difference between the Wiki definition and Bob's usage is just about an
>epsilon's worth of difference. I tend to use a more sloppy term, myself. I
>use "close enough for government work".

     It makes it rather hard to communicate on a technical subject when the definitions are not being followed. Shall we start discussing records?

Sincerely,

Gene Wirchenko

Computerese Irregular Verb Conjugation:

     I have preferences.
     You have biases.
     He/She has prejudices.
Received on Thu Mar 29 2007 - 18:33:23 CEST

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