Number Formatting in Scilab
In this tutorial, we'll delve into the intricacies of presenting numerical data in Scilab's command prompt - a crucial aspect that can simplify your coding journey significantly.
Scilab offers two primary methods for numerical representation:
- Scientific notation, alternatively known as exponential notation
- Standard notation
The choice between these options hinges on the "format e" and "format v" commands, respectively.
The "format e" command renders numbers in the scientific notation.
--> format e
Take, for instance, the division of 3 by 5.5 - this is exhibited as "5.455D-01".
--> 3/5.5
5.455D-01
On the flip side, the "format v" command triggers an adaptive variable formatting mode.
In this mode, Scilab intuitively selects between a direct representation or the scientific notation, contingent upon the processed value.
format v
To illustrate, the division of 3 by 5.5 would be displayed as "0.5454545" in this setting.
--> 3/5.5
0.5454545
Typically, the exponential notation employs 8 digits, while the decimal notation utilizes 10.
Moreover, the format command grants you the ability to define the number of digits in the numeric representation.
For example, executing format('v',20) instructs Scilab to use a 20-digit representation.
format ('v', 20)
Perform the calculation 3 divided by 5.5 under this setting, and the result is a 20-digit quotient.
--> 3/5.5
0.54545454545454541
It's essential to bear in mind that this choice doesn't alter the actual number - it solely modifies the display on the screen.
Regardless of your chosen display format, Scilab maintains a fixed precision when storing numerical results, governed by the number of bits, ensuring consistency and accuracy in your computational endeavors.
