On 21 Apr 2004 at 22:55, A. Pagaltzis wrote: > * John Douglas Porter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> [2004-04-20 08:39]: > > It seems to me that the precision desired should depend on > > context, and nothing else. And that being the case... > > > > printf $fractional_cents ? '%7.3f' : '%7.sf', $amt; > > > > irrespective of the value of $amt. Why is this not right? > > What you have written is neutral with regards to the issue I was > referring to. > > If you do this by looking at $amt, then your method must be > mathematical, because chopping characters in the string > representation of the unrounded $amt might occasionally lead to > results different from what the mathematical method would have > produced with rounding involved.
Correct, but doesn't "%.Xf" round? And so running it through the (s)printf before you mess with it gets you the desired rounding, doesn't it? As for John's question, it is a matter of significant digits. When you're pricing things, prices are in dollars and cents.... except for those few items which are fractional. I know *I* wouldn't want to see every price come out as "$12.750" just because one item is "1.975/gallon" or [the actual situation]: "$.995/lb" And so for 'normal prices' I want them printed normally, and only the fractional-prices should print with the extra digit... /Bernie\ -- Bernie Cosell Fantasy Farm Fibers mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Pearisburg, VA --> Too many people, too few sheep <--
