[Python-Dev] Re: PEP239 (Rational Numbers) Reference Implementation and new issues (original) (raw)

Christian Tismer tismer@tismer.com
Wed, 02 Oct 2002 20:14:34 -0700

Raymond Hettinger wrote: ...

There should be a builtin variable (overriddable within some inner scope) for a maximum denominator magnitude. It should default to some value where performance tanks. If set to None, then no limit would apply.

The HP32SII calculator implements a useful rational model using flags and a maximum denominator register. If the first flag is clear, fractions are have denominators upto the maximum value. If only the first flag is set, fractions always use the maximum denominator as the denominator and are then reduced (i.e. if the max is 8, then .5 is represented as 1/2 and .1 is represented as 1/8).

Makes very much sense to me.

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