PRB: gcvt() Generates Exponential Notation for 0.0x

• The C Run-Time (CRT), included with:
  • Microsoft C for MS-DOS, versions 5.1, 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0ax
  • Microsoft C for OS/2, versions 5.1, 6.0, 6.0a
  • Microsoft C/C++ for MS-DOS, version 7.0
  • Microsoft Visual C++ for Windows, 16-bit edition, versions 1.0, 1.5
  • Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Editions, versions 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0

SYMPTOMS

The gcvt() function returns a value in scientific notation, without regard to the specified precision, when the floating-point value has the form "0.0<x>" and <x> is any sequence of digits.

CAUSE

This is expected behavior for gcvt().

RESOLUTION

If this behavior is not desired, use the fcvt() function to convert the floating-point number to a string.

MORE INFORMATION

The following code demonstrates this behavior:

Sample Code

/*
 * Compile options needed: None
 */ 

#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>

char buffer[50];
int precision = 20;

void main(void)
{
   gcvt(-0.1123, precision, buffer);    /* Decimal output */ 
   printf("buffer ........\"%s\"\n", buffer);

   gcvt(-0.0123, precision, buffer);    /* Scientific notation */ 
   printf("buffer ........\"%s\"\n", buffer);
} 

Additional query words:

Keywords : kbCRT kbVC100 kbVC150 kbVC200 kbVC400 kbVC500 kbVC600
Version : 5.1 6.0 6.0a 6.0ax 7.0 1.0 1.5 2
Platform : MS-DOS NT OS/2 WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb