Path: utzoo!utgpu!watmath!att!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!mailrus!ames!uhccux!munnari.oz.au!otc!metro!extro!glenn
From: glenn@extro.ucc.su.oz (G. Geers [ext 3241])
Newsgroups: comp.unix.wizards
Subject: Re: What does NaN out of printf?
Message-ID: <532@extro.ucc.su.oz>
Date: 27 Jul 89 23:52:34 GMT
Reply-To: glenn@extro.ucc.su.oz (Glenn Geers)
Organization: University Computing Service, Uni. of Sydney, Australia.
Lines: 16


There are two ways infinity is handeled in IEEE format. This depends on whether
you are working in affine or projection mode.
In affine mode you get two: +/- infinity. In projection mode you get one: infinity. This is the same as the idea that the real line has two ends but the complex
plane has only one infinite boundary. 

I don't know of any compilers which allow you to switch to projection mode.
It would be nice in some cases.
					Glenn

Glenn Geers
Dept. Theoretical Physics
Uni of Sydney
NSW 2006 Australia

glenn@extro.ucc.su.oz