printing float

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) General Frequently-Asked Questions
1

Hello all.

float val = 0; 

void setup()
{
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop()
{
  val = 5 / 2;
  
  Serial.println(val);
  
  delay(1000);
}

I can't understand, why result is 2.00, instead 2.50 ? :-[ :frowning:

2

Because you've asked for integer division. 5 and 2 are integers! Try this:

val = 5.0 / 2.0;
3

Thanks. :slight_smile:
And while reading manual, i fount another one way:

val = (float)5 / 2;

:slight_smile:

4

val = 5.0 / 2.0;
val = (float)5 / 2;

are more or less then same thing to the compiler. The second form tells the compiler to treat the value 5 as floating point. The compiler will always promote any other variables in an expression to a float if any one is a float. But because many Arduino users may not be aware of the promotion properties of the language, the former is easier for people to understand.