[Gambas-user] Converting strings to numbers with localization issues

[Ron]

  On 23-8-2010 11:54, Benoît Minisini wrote:
>>    In my project I have several temp values in the form of 31.72 C
>>
>> They are stored as string and I convert them with Val(sValue)
>>
>> My project is translatable, default language is en_US.UTF-8
>>
>> If I change System.Language, Val doesn't know how to convert the value
>> correctly (or it does it correctly, but I have to change my code)
>>
>> Anyone had this problem and knows how to prevent the system from leaving
>> out point or comma's or the complete value?
>>
>> Example project with output:
>>
>> ' Gambas module file
>>
>> PUBLIC SUB Main()
>>
>>     DIM sValue AS String = "31,72"
>>
>>     PRINT "Original Value ->  "&  sValue
>>
>>     PRINT System.Language&  " ->  ";
>>     PRINT Val(sValue)
>>
>>     System.Language = "nl_NL.UTF-8"
>>     PRINT System.Language&  " ->  ";
>>     PRINT Val(sValue)
>>
>>     System.Language = "de_DE.UTF-8"
>>     PRINT System.Language&  " ->  ";
>>     PRINT Val(sValue)
>>
>>     sValue = "31.72"
>>     PRINT "\nOriginal Value ->  "&  sValue
>>
>>     PRINT System.Language&  " ->  ";
>>     PRINT Val(sValue)
>>
>>     System.Language = "nl_NL.UTF-8"
>>     PRINT System.Language&  " ->  ";
>>     PRINT Val(sValue)
>>
>>     System.Language = "de_DE.UTF-8"
>>     PRINT System.Language&  " ->  ";
>>     PRINT Val(sValue)
>>
>> END
>>
>> OUTPUT IS:
>>
>> Original Value ->  31,72
>> en_US.UTF-8 ->  3172
>> nl_NL.UTF-8 ->  31,72
>> de_DE.UTF-8 ->  31,72
>>
>> Original Value ->  31.72
>> de_DE.UTF-8 ->  3172
>> nl_NL.UTF-8 ->
>> de_DE.UTF-8 ->  3172
>>
>> So if I store it with . or , it's false interpreted by at least one of
>> the languages...
>> I do not have the same values, I also store energy usage and other
>> values in the form of 41.322 Watts, so the decimal point is not always at 2
>>
>> I remember this type of discussion regarding currency, how was it solved?
>>
>> Please any input is welcome.
>>
>> Gambas2, gb.qt, Ubuntu 10.04
>>
>> Regards,
>> Ron_2nd.
>>
> The meaning of "." and "," in numbers changes with the language (the
> "localization"), and Val() follows the localization settings, so all that is
> logical.
>
> So use CFloat() instead of Val() to have a behaviour that does not depends on
> localization, and create your own conversion function with it.
>
> Regards,
>

I have noticed that when using CFloat(sValue)  I have to check/translate 
commas to dots first if found in string, otherwise CFloat says 'wanted 
float got string instead'

Would be handy to know what Val() does behind the scene, do you know 
without having to search through your code? It's hard for me to find.

Thanks

Regards,
Ron_2nd.