Re: what is the use of "u" in tabulated output?

[Ethan A M. <sf...@us...>]

On Sunday, 20 April, 2014 11:02:48 pl...@pi... wrote:
> On 04/20/14 10:48, pl...@pi... wrote:
> >
> > I often use conditional using clauses to plot part of a range of data
> >
> > plot datafile using   (($1<=1995.55)?$1:NaN):(2*fcos1($1))

[defer discussion of tabular output to a separate reply]

> I've just found out the if I used "NaN" as a string instead of NaN in 
> the using clause I get the result I expected: the data cuts off at the 
> required date.
> 
> plot datafile using   (($1<=1995.55)?$1:"NaN"):(2*fcos1($1))

I think that's because you gave a string where a number was expected.
The fact that the string contained "NaN" rather than, say, "foo" is not
relevant.

> It seems there is an inconsistency in the way this is being handled. 

I agree. This is a bug.  If the program finds a string where a number
was expected, the numerical value returned to get_data() should be
NaN rather than some random or left-over value from an earlier line.
This should get a fix for both 4.6 and 5.

	Ethan