[Stds-754] Amendment to motion addressing the need for

[Michel Hack (1-914-784-7648) <hack@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I was in the middle of responding to Jim Thomas' private request for
examples of "value" that would be problematic if Nancy was replaced
with "floating-point values".  I don't understand why I did not get
Jim's more detailed suggestions for replacing "number" in ways to
accomodate the change (and they are fine), but I still see no check
of the existing uses of "value".  Many are fine, but some present
definite problems, especially in sections 5.3-5.5 where values are
opposed to representations.  The most egregious case I came across
so far (I've reached chapter 7) is in the 7.3.2 description of
   quantize(x,y)):  the result "is a number in the same format which
                    has the same value as x and the same quantum as y."

(This sentence needs fixing for my proposal too, and I did suggest
a replacement in my earlier mail.)

> That would imply we need glossary terms for zero and nonzero for either
> your motion or mine.  For example, do you include infinity in nonzero?

I suppose this needs checking to see whether the context is clear.

It only matters if a formal classification is proposed, so if we
want to do that, we'll have to do that homework too.  As the motion
stands, the classification is part of the rationale, and is only
something the usage is expected to be consistent with.

One thing at a time please.

Michel.
Sent: 2006-09-06 19:00:42 UTC