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To: python-list@python.org
From: Terry Reedy <tjreedy@udel.edu>
Subject: Re: Decimal 0**0
Date: Thu, 07 Feb 2013 03:38:01 -0500
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On 2/7/2013 12:47 AM, Tim Roberts wrote:
> Steven D'Aprano <steve+comp.lang.python@pearwood.info> wrote:
>>
>> Does anyone have an explanation why Decimal 0**0 behaves so differentl=
y from
>> float 0**0?
>> ...
>> I am familiar with the arguments for treating 0**0 as 0, or undefined,=
 but
>> thought that except for specialist use-cases, it was standard practice=
 for
>> programming languages to have 0**0 return 1. According to Wikipedia, t=
he
>> IEEE 754 standard is for "pow" to return 1, although languages can def=
ine a
>> separate "powr" function to return a NAN.
>>
>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exponentiation#Zero_to_the_power_of_zero
>>
>> I suspect this is a bug in Decimal's interpretation of the standard. C=
an
>> anyone comment?
>
> I don't think Decimal ever promised to adhere to IEEE 754, did it?

No, it follows
IBM=E2=80=99s General Decimal Arithmetic Specification, The General Decim=
al=20
Arithmetic Specification.
IEEE standard 854-1987, Unofficial IEEE 854 Text.
links at end of intro in doc


--=20
Terry Jan Reedy