GCD

[John Meacham]

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

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John Meacham - California Institute of Technology, Alum. - john@repetae.net
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