robin <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
...
>>Since recent discussion centres on "improvements" for future Fortran,
>>may I suggest the introduction of "^" symbol for exponentiation, to
>>eventually replace "**".
>>
>>This would be consistent with some of the algebraic manipulation systems, and
>>remove the possibility of certain typos going undetected.
>
>Still waiting to hear what kinds of "typos" can be incurred in writing a**b ?
Some people, when trying to write a**b accidentally write a*b
instead. If your intent is to reach for the ^ key, this kind of
accidental fault is almost impossible (there's no nearby key
that would be valid instead, and omitting or typing more than
one ^ would be detectable). It's not a common fault. It's
not a particularly strong argument against **. The fact that
^ is more mnemonic is more compelling.
Too late to do anything. ** is the Fortran exponentiation
operator for eternity.
--
J. Giles
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