Constants
A constant data type is determined by its syntax. In PV-WAVE there are eight basic data types, each with its own form of constant:
BYTE—8-bit unsigned integers.
INT—16-bit signed integers.
INT32—32-bit signed integers.
LONG—64-bit signed integers on 64-bit platforms; 32-bit signed integers on all other platforms.
FLOAT—32-bit single-precision floating-point.
DOUBLE—64-bit double-precision floating-point.
COMPLEX—Real-imaginary pair using single-precision floating-point.
DCOMPLEX—Real-imaginary pair using double-precision floating-point.
STRING—Zero or more eight-bit characters which are interpreted as text.
Integer Constants
Numeric constants of different types may be represented by a variety of forms. The syntax of integer constants is shown in the following table, where “n” represents one or more digits.
| Radix | Type | Form | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decimal | BYTE | nB | 12B, 34B |
| INT | n | 12, 425 | |
| INT32 | nI | 12I, 94I | |
| LONG | nL | 12L, 94L | |
| Hexadecimal | BYTE | 'n'XB | '2E'XB |
| INT | 'n'X | '0F'X | |
| INT32 | nI | 12I, 94I | |
| LONG | 'n'XL | 'FF'XL | |
| Octal | BYTE | "nB | "12B |
| INT | "n | "12 | |
| 'n'O | '377'O | ||
| INT32 | nI | 12I, 94I | |
| LONG | "nL | "12L | |
| 'n'OL | '777777'OL |
Values of integer constants can range from 0 to 255 for BYTEs, 0 to ± 32,767 for INTs, 0 to ± 232 for INT32s, and 0 to ± 232 (on 32-bit systems) or 0 to ± 264 (on 64-bit systems) for LONGs. Integers that are initialized with absolute values greater than 32,767 are automatically typed as longword. Any numeric constant may be preceded by a + or a – sign. To ensure cross-platform compatibility, place the + or a – sign outside of the apostrophe.
Floating-point and Double-precision Constants
Floating-point and double-precision constants may be expressed in conventional or scientific notation. Any numeric constant that includes the decimal point is a floating-point or double-precision constant.
The syntax of floating-point and double-precision constants is shown in Syntax of Floating-point and Double-precision Constants . The notation sx represents the sign and magnitude of the exponent, for example: E-2.
Double-precision constants are entered in the same manner, replacing E with a D. For example, 1.0D0, 1D, 1.D, all represent a double precision one.
| Form | Double Precision | Floating Point |
|---|---|---|
| n . | 102.D | 102. |
| . n | .102D | .102 |
| n .n | 10.2D | 10.2 |
| n Xsx | 10D5 | 10E5 |
| n .Xsx | 10.D–3 | 10.E–3 |
| .n Xsx | .1D+12 | .1E+12 |
| n .n Xsx | 2.3D12 | 2.3E12 |
Complex Constants
Complex constants contain a real and an imaginary part, which can be of single or double-precision floating point numbers. The imaginary part may be omitted, in which case it is assumed to be zero.
The form of a complex constant is:
COMPLEX(real_part, imaginary_part)
or:
COMPLEX(real_part)
For example, COMPLEX(1, 2), is a complex constant with a real part of one, and an imaginary part of two. COMPLEX(1)is a complex constant with a real part of one and a zero imaginary component.
The ABS function returns the magnitude of a complex expression. To extract the real part of a complex expression, use the FLOAT function; to extract the imaginary part, use the IMAGINARY function. These functions are explained in the PV‑WAVE Reference.
String Constants
A string constant consists of zero or more characters enclosed by apostrophes ( ' ) or quotation marks ( " ). The value of the constant is simply the characters appearing between the leading delimiter ( ' or " ) and the next occurrence of the delimiter.
A double apostrophe ( ' ' ) or double quotation mark ( " " ) is considered to be the null string; a string containing no characters.
An apostrophe or quotation mark may be represented within a string that is delimited by the same character, by two apostrophes, or quotation marks. For example, 'Don''t' produces Don't; or you can write: "Don't" to produce the same result.
Examples of Correct String Constants illustrates valid string constants.
| String Value | Correct |
|---|---|
| Hi there | 'Hi there'
|
| Hi there | "Hi there"
|
| Null String | ''
|
| I’m happy | "I'm happy"
|
| I’m happy | 'I''m happy'
|
| counter | 'counter'
|
| 129 | '129'
|