Duncan Smith wrote: > James wrote: > > Perhaps use the phrase "whole number" there and mention that in > > programming they're called integers. Having a glossary with > > definitions for things like integer, float etc etc. would be good if > > when you talked about integers it linked to the glossary. And > > similarly use "decimals" for floats? Less sure about that one though. > > But anyway you don't need to go into the whole type thing, just > > mention that Python distinguishes between doing maths with whole > > numbers and decimals. > > > > In general they are integers, and "integer" is not a Python type, so I > don't see a problem with the term. The problem I saw was that there was > no explanation for the returned value.
How would I explain that 3 / 2 is 1 without entering the type realm? What if I say that if one don't use the point the interpreter will also not use it? Would i be laying? Isn't it better to just let it go? I think the typical non programmer newbie just don't care two much about reasons as long as there is a clear rule. No point in the question then no point in the answer. > Using the term "decimal" is > probably a bad idea, given Python decimals. But I'm not sure you need > to come up with a suitable term until you actually get round to > explaining types (at which point the problem disappears). > As I think float is scaring I changed it in the program comments where it appeared for decimal. I don't worry about precision as much as I worry about fluidity. I don't want anyone stoping to consult a dictionary or a glossary. Now the integer versus whole. As a non native english speaker I don't know what sounds less mathematical and more natural. I changed integer to whole following the previous suggestion but I really don't know. Regards, Clodoaldo -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list