AARM95 - Based Literals
Author: JTC1/SC22/WG9/ARG, by Randall Brukardt, ARG Editor

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# 2.4.2 Based Literals

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[ A based_literal is a numeric_literal expressed in a form that specifies the base explicitly.]

#### Syntax

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based_literal ::=
base # based_numeral [.based_numeral] # [exponent]
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base ::= numeral
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based_numeral ::=
extended_digit {[underline] extended_digit}
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extended_digit ::= digit | A | B | C | D | E | F

#### Legality Rules

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The base (the numeric value of the decimal numeral preceding the first #) shall be at least two and at most sixteen. The extended_digits A through F represent the digits ten through fifteen, respectively. The value of each extended_digit of a based_literal shall be less than the base.

#### Static Semantics

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The conventional meaning of based notation is assumed. An exponent indicates the power of the base by which the value of the based_literal without the exponent is to be multiplied to obtain the value of the based_literal with the exponent. The base and the exponent, if any, are in decimal notation.
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The extended_digits A through F can be written either in lower case or in upper case, with the same meaning.

#### Examples

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Examples of based literals:
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2#1111_1111# 16#FF# 016#0ff# -- integer literals of value 255
16#E#E1 2#1110_0000# -- integer literals of value 224
16#F.FF#E+2 2#1.1111_1111_1110#E11 -- real literals of value 4095.0

#### Wording Changes from Ada 83

10.a
The rule about which letters are allowed is now encoded in BNF, as suggested by Mike Woodger. This is clearly more readable.

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