[Python-Dev] re: division

[Guido van Rossum]

> FWIW, I think Python should support Rationals, and have integer division
> return a rational. I'm still working on the details of my great Python 
> numeric tower change.

Forget it.  ABC did this, and the problem is that where you *think*
you are doing something simple like calculating interest rates, you
are actually manipulating rational numbers with 1000s of digits in
their numerator and denumerator.

If you want to change it, consider emulating what kids currently use
in school: a decimal floating point calculator with N digits of
precision.

--Guido van Rossum (home page: http://www.python.org/~guido/)