≈ as alias for `math.isclose`

[root-11 (Bjorn Madsen)]

Would the symbol ≈ (almost equal, U+2248) under any circumstance be acceptable as an alias for math.isclose ?

>>> import math
>>> math.isclose(0.1 + 0.2, 0.3)
True
>>> 0.1 + 0.2 ≈ 0.3
True

?

[ericvsmith]

I don’t think so. It’s a niche use case, and it’s very easy to visually mistake for =.

[Melendowski (Matt D)]

I’m surprised anyone wants to use unicode characters that aren’t native to the typical keyboard. Do we really want to be typing alt codes in our editors?

[abessman (Alexander Bessman)]

Similar discussion from a few weeks ago: Approximate symbol in python?

[root-11 (Bjorn Madsen)]

This is the same conversation.

Approximate symbol in python?

Thanks to everyone for all the discussion on the issues with approximate equals as an operator in python. It seems like functions or context managers are the solution in that they enable parameters to be set for how the user wishes to define approximate. In terms of displaying approximate symbols in an output then unicode can achieve this; which may clarify the value of results to a user. print(‘\u2245’) #Output: ≅ print(‘\u2246’) print(‘\u2247’) print(‘\u2248’) print(‘\u2249’) #Output…

You’ve confirmed it. There is no circumstance where it is acceptable.