re: %b format (no, really)
Prompted in part by the comment in Michael Hudson's python-dev summary about this discussion having died, I'd like to summarize: 1. Most people who commented felt that a base-2 format would be useful, if only for teaching and debugging. With regard to questions about byte order: A. Integer values are printed as base-2 numbers, so byte order is irrelevant. B. Floating-point numbers are printed as: [sign] [mantissa] [exponent] The mantissa and exponent are shown according to rule A. 2. Inventing a format for converting to arbitrary bases is dubious hypergeneralization (to borrow a phrase). 3. Implementation should mirror octal and hexadecimal support, e.g. a 'bin()' function to go with 'oct()' and 'hex()'. 4. The desirability or otherwise of a "%b" format specifier has nothing to do with the relative merits of any early microprocessor :-). If no-one has strong objections, I'll put together a PEP on this basis. Thanks Greg ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information contained in this message is confidential and is intended for the addressee(s) only. If you have received this message in error or there are any problems please notify the originator immediately. The unauthorized use, disclosure, copying or alteration of this message is strictly forbidden. Baltimore Technologies plc will not be liable for direct, special, indirect or consequential damages arising from alteration of the contents of this message by a third party or as a result of any virus being passed on. In addition, certain Marketing collateral may be added from time to time to promote Baltimore Technologies products, services, Global e-Security or appearance at trade shows and conferences. This footnote confirms that this email message has been swept by Baltimore MIMEsweeper for Content Security threats, including computer viruses.
Greg Wilson
If no-one has strong objections, I'll put together a PEP on this basis.
Sounds okay to me. Greg Ewing, Computer Science Dept, +--------------------------------------+ University of Canterbury, | A citizen of NewZealandCorp, a | Christchurch, New Zealand | wholly-owned subsidiary of USA Inc. | greg@cosc.canterbury.ac.nz +--------------------------------------+
participants (2)
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Greg Ewing
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Greg Wilson