Re: GAWK adding big numbers wrong

[laura fairhead]

[]

>>
>>Package             Version
>>bash                2.05a-3
>>gawk                3.0.4-1
>>
>>System is:
>>Microsoft Windows 98 4.10.2222 A
>>GenuineIntel x86 Family 6 Model 8 Stepping 6 (Celeron 700MHz)
>>FPU built-in
>>
>>
>>I do not suggest a CPU/FPU or Win98 problem, as I can add up the numbers
>>correctly using the calculator tool from the Win98 menue...?!
>>
>
>The calculator tool is probably using some sort of special library
>routines to add the big numbers up with. 'awk' uses the floating point
>unit in the processor, floating point works by having a certain number
>of bits for a mantissa (with x86 I think it's usually 53)  and a certain
>number for an exponent. The actual value x will be represented as
>approximately 'mantissa + 2^exponent', so beyond a certain value you
[]

That should be 'mantissa * 2^exponent' (I avoid f.p like the plague <g>),
anyway the major point (fixed size, approximate representation) remains :-)

byefornow

-- 
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