Inform 7 allows arithmetic to be carried out in respect of integer numbers only.  By way of an experiment (and for the sheer joy of creating something) I have written an extension to permit fixed point maths.  It is still in beta form and can be tested on the following link:

http://prolixic.inform7.googlepages.com/FloatingPointMaths.i7x

Some words of warning:

  • I am a lawyer and priest by training, not a mathematician or computer programmer so some of the functions may need refining.  Most of the functions are calculated using brute force and ignorance.
  • Error checking routines have not yet been added so things like division by 0, overflows, underflows and square roots of negative numbers have not been trapped.
  • The extension requires the use of Glulx.
  • It is set up for four decimal places.  This can be changed but it requires editing the extension.  Only numbers in the range -214748.3648 to 214748.3647 are supported.
  • Documentation has to be added.
Advertisement