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Q41086: IEEE Number Range Correction for QB 4.0 "Learning and Using"

Article: Q41086
Product(s): See article
Version(s): 4.00 4.00b
Operating System(s): MS-DOS
Keyword(s): ENDUSER | DOCERR B_BasicCom | mspl13_basic
Last Modified: 17-FEB-1989

The range for IEEE single and double precision numbers is correct in
the "QuickBASIC 4.0: BASIC Language Reference" manual (Page 16), but
is incorrect in the "QuickBASIC 4.0: Learning and Using QuickBASIC"
manual (Page 248).

The IEEE floating-point ranges on Page 248 of the following manuals
are incorrect:

1. "Microsoft QuickBASIC: Learning and Using" for QuickBASIC
   Versions 4.00 and 4.00b.

2. "Microsoft BASIC Compiler: Learning and Using QuickBASIC" for
   BASIC Compiler Versions 6.00 and 6.00b for MS-DOS and MS OS/2.

The IEEE number range limits on Page 16 of the "BASIC Language
Reference" for QuickBASIC Versions 4.00 and 4.00b and BASIC compiler
Versions 6.00 and 6.00b are correct (and agree with Page 337 of the
"Programming in BASIC" manual for QuickBASIC Version 4.50).

The following is a sample test program:

' This program shows that the single precision limit as k goes to
' zero is k=1.40E-45. Change j# to j! to show the 3.40E+38 limit
' for single precision j!.
DEFSNG A-Z
j# = 1E+36
t:
j# = j# * 1.1
k = 1 / j#
PRINT j#, k
IF k = 0 THEN STOP
GOTO t

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