Why is Python popular, while Lisp and Scheme aren't?

Michael Hudson mwh at python.net
Tue Nov 12 09:15:12 EST 2002


Marco Baringer <mb at bese.it> writes:

> but the problem is that the coressponding python code doesn't do the
> same thing:
> 
> in openmcl 0.13b:
> 
> ? (* 1e10 (parse-float "0.4e-10"))
> 0.4
> 
> in python 2.2 (whatever apple ships with jaguar):
> 
> >>> float("0.4e-10") * 1e10
> 0.39999999999999997

This is a matter of printed representations.  OpenMCL is lying
(slightly) to you.

Cheers,
M.

-- 
  ZAPHOD:  Listen three eyes, don't try to outwierd me, I get stranger
           things than you free with my breakfast cereal.
                    -- The Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy, Episode 7



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