Re: Integer division

[spir <denis.spir@...>]

On 14/11/2012 07:27, Dirk Laurie wrote:
> 2012/11/14 Roberto Ierusalimschy <roberto@inf.puc-rio.br>:
> > There
> > will be two divisions: float division (the usual '/') always have
> > a float result, integer division ('//'??) always have an integer
> > result.
>
> A new operator requires a new metamethod. Suggestion:
>
> __divmod(op1, op2)
>     Returns two results: quotient and remainder.
>
> Semantics exactly as for other functions with multiple return values.
> Only the first return value is kept in expressions, list constructors
> except for the last item, etc.
>
> This definition screams for the symbol `/%`.
>
> > q, r = 42 /% 10  --> 4,2
>
> Dirk

I have no idea whether it can be that useful to override /%. However, since the 
metafield machinery exist...

For the operator /% itself, I vote +++. Lua returning several results, let us 
use it. As an aside, having this operator would help avoiding confusion and 
errors, I guess, even if there also is a simple quotient op, as they would be 
presented together in introductory material. Note:
       6.9 /% 2.2 --> 3, 0.3
(From a thread 6.9 m long, I can get 3 smaller threads of 2.2 m, and 30 cm remain.)

If there ever is an int div without quotient, the sign '//' looks fine as well 
(indeed, '\' is unavailable).

Denis