Float Data Type Is Identical to Numeric Data Type

ID: Q119231

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft FoxPro for MS-DOS, versions 2.0, 2.5x, 2.6
Microsoft FoxPro for Windows, versions 2.5x, 2.6
Microsoft FoxPro for Macintosh, versions 2.5b, 2.5c

SUMMARY

The Float data type is identical to the Numeric data type and is included in FoxPro for compatibility with dBASE IV, which is produced by Borland International. Float data type internal storage is identical to Numeric data type storage in FoxPro.

MORE INFORMATION

There are misleading definitions of the Float data type in many sources. For example, the FoxPro for Windows "User's Guide" incorrectly states the following on page U2-4 (page U3-4 for MS-DOS and page 32 for Macintosh):

   Float: Enter a field width up to 20 including an optional
   plus/minus sign and decimal place. The default width for
   float data is 8. This field is specifically designed for
   scientific data.

Similarly, page 91 of the "Microsoft FoxPro for Windows Step by Step" and page 99 of the "Microsoft FoxPro for MS-DOS Step by Step" books by Microsoft Press incorrectly state the following:

   Float: Use this type for scientific or engineering data used
   in calculations that must be accurate beyond 16 significant
   digits (but otherwise this type is the same as the numeric
   field type).

Both of these definitions are misleading because they imply that there is something more precise or different about the Float data type as compared to the Numeric data type.

Additional reference words: FoxMac FoxDos FoxWin 2.00 2.50 2.50a 2.50b 2.50c 2.60 docerr KBCategory: kbusage kbdocerr KBSubcategory: FxinteropDbase