[m-rev.] time additions (was Re: for review: Add random.init/3)

[Paul Bone]

On Thu, May 26, 2016 at 01:05:31PM +1000, Peter Wang wrote:
> On Thu, 26 May 2016 12:15:52 +1000 (AEST), Julien Fischer <jfischer at opturion.com> wrote:
> > 
> > I think we should define Mercury's float type to always be a double
> > precision type and just do away with the spf grade component entirely.
> > That would deal with the "most cases" issue above.
> 
> Fine by me.

Also me.

> > > Eww,
> > >
> > > My reaction to the use of floats for this kind of thing is rater visceral.
> 
> I understand, but doubles can represent values to 2^53 precisely.
> 
>     % date -d @$(( 2**53 ))
>     Mon Nov 12 18:36:32 AEDT 285428751
> 
> That ought to be enough for anybody...

Okay, fair point.  I still don't like it but I can live with it.  Like in my
reply to Julien I don't want to seek the perfect solution and miss a good
solution that's much easier.


-- 
Paul Bone