On Tue, Dec 11, 2001 at 11:06:28AM +0100, Ch. A. Herrmann wrote:
"Simon" == Simon Peyton-Jones <simonpj@microsoft.com> writes: Simon> gcd x y is the greatest POSITIVE integer that divides Simon> both x and y.
Simon> I don't think that changes the specification in fact, but Simon> experience has led me to always check these things!
I find it confusing to read a definition which contains redundant information. Instead, I'd suggest to add something like:
"Note: this number is always positive"
yeah. I strongly agree with this wording. precision without confusion is a really nice feature in specifications. mainly i know that if i were to read the redundant version I would invariably spend several brain cycles trying to figure out why it isn't redundant, only to conclude that it is. John -- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Meacham - California Institute of Technology, Alum. - john@repetae.net ---------------------------------------------------------------------------