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SubjectRe: 2.2.0pre4 detects a "166193960 Hz processor"
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>>>>> "Chris" == Chris Wedgwood <cw@ix.net.nz> writes:

>> Detected 166193960 Hz processor.

Chris> I _seriously_ doubt it's that accurate -- we perhaps should
Chris> only stick to 4 or 5 significant figures, beyond that I'm very
Chris> skeptical... 166.2MHz in this case seems like a more logical
Chris> claim.

The number of digits doesn't have to imply the accuracy. I have
listened to numerous physical scientists from the slide-rule era decry
the excessive digits found in computer land. Usually it is a
knee-jerk reaction. Sometimes those extra digits can be useful, and
since throwing them away is an non-reversible process, sometimes
keeping them is a good thing. I am not saying that this is one of
those cases, just suggesting a thoughtful approach.

IMO, the use of significant digits to imply the accuracy of a value is
a kludge, loaded with the artifacts of arbitrary decisions. If an
indication of accuracy is needed, there are better alternatives.

--
Russell Senior
seniorr@teleport.com

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