Back to Questions
1.6k
views2
comments
Get MaxValue of float?
f#compiler

I'm trying to get the maximum value of a float using the code

1

let maxFloat = float.MaxValue

However, F# (1.9.6.2) gives me the following message:

1

The standard definition of the identifier 'float' is now a function used to convert values to type 'float', or will be in a future release. Access static methods via the canonical uppercase name for the type, e.g. replace 'int.Parse(...)' with 'System.Int32.Parse(...)'.

When I change the line to let maxFloat = Float.MaxValue, I get an error that MaxValue isn't defined.

Note that let maxFloat = float.MaxValue works fine, just generates the warning.

Am I misunderstanding something or is this a compiler problem?

.

There are a few issues at play here. As for the original warning, "float" in an expression now means the function (but can be resolved otherwise for transitional compatibility with prior versions of F#).

"Float" is a name of a module in the powerpack, it exists for OCaml-compatibility and is not what you want here.

Also, the F# type named "float" corresponds to the .Net type System.Double.

So you want System.Double.MaxValue.

In VS, hover over each occurence of "Float" or "float" in this code

1
2
3
4

let addf = Float.add 
let x : float = 4.0
let y = float 10
let max = System.Double.MaxValue

and read the tooltips. The hover tooltips are very useful for understanding F# code.

By on 11/1/2008 1:11 PM ()

OK, I understand now. It's still confusing, though, having the naming conflicts between float, Float, double and Double. To me it seems like a rather unfortunate choice of names.

Just from a minimum confusion standpoint, I think it will be clearer just to get in the habit of using double instead of float in my future code. Does that sound reasonable?

By on 11/1/2008 2:00 PM ()

    Topic tags

    IntelliFactory Offices Copyright (c) 2011-2012 IntelliFactory. All rights reserved.
    Home | Products | Consulting | Trainings | Blogs | Jobs | Contact Us | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy     		Built with WebSharper