On Aug 18, 2004, at 8:48 AM, Olin Lathrop wrote: > >> But the most important point is this .... if you intend to control >> something, you need to understand it. I think, before using floating point on a system without LOTS of extra precision (ie 64/80 bit "doubles" on PCs), you might also need to review your numerical analysis textbooks so that you have a good understanding of how errors collect, even with floating point... I remember what a rude awakening it was when APL on my DEC wouldn't do my physics homework. It didn't have the range to do 1/hbar^2. Grr. BillW -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList mailto:piclist-unsubscribe-request@mitvma.mit.edu