OpenOffice.org BASIC Guide.pdf - OpenOffice.org wiki

Numbers 15
Exponential Writing Style
OpenOffice.org Basic allows numbers to be specified in the exponential writing style, for
example, you can write 1.5e-10 for the number 1.5 x 10 -10 (0.00000000015). The letter "e"
can be lowercase or uppercase with or without a plus sign (+) as a prefix.
Here are a few correct and incorrect examples of numbers in exponential format:
Dim A As Double
A = 1.43E2 ' Correct
A = + 1.43E2 ' Correct (space between plus and basic number)
A = - 1.43E2 ' Correct (space between minus and basic number)
A = 1.43E-2 ' Correct (negative exponent)
A = 1.43E -2 ' Incorrect (spaces not permitted within the number)
A = 1,43E-2 ' Incorrect (commas not permitted as decimal points)
A = 1.43E2.2 ' Incorrect (exponent must be a whole number)
Note, that in the first and third incorrect examples that no error message is generated even
though the variables return incorrect values. The expression
A = 1.43E -2
is interpreted as 1.43 minus 2, which corresponds to the value -0.57. However, the value
1.43 x 10 -2 (corresponding to 0.0143) was the intended value. With the value
A = 1.43E2.2
OpenOffice.org Basic ignores the part of the exponent after the decimal point and
interprets the expression as
A = 1.43E2
Hexadecimal Values
In the hexadecimal system (base 16 system), a 2-digit number corresponds to precisely one
byte. This allows numbers to be handled in a manner which more closely reflects machine
architecture. In the hexadecimal system, the numbers 0 to 9 and the letters A to F are used
as numbers. An A stands for the decimal number 10, while the letter F represents the
decimal number 15. OpenOffice.org Basic lets you use whole numbered hexadecimal
values, so long as they are preceded by &H.
Dim A As Long
A = &HFF ' Hexadecimal value FF, corresponds to the decimal value
255
A = &H10 ' Hexadecimal value 10, corresponds to the decimal value
16