Complex data type in python

Question

Why can't we enter the imaginary part in complex data type in formats other than decimal number (for example octal/binary/hex)? In real part we can use any form (hexadecimal/octal)

Ex.1:

x = 0B1111 + 20J     #  => valid

Ex. 2:

x = 0B1111 + 0b111J  #  => Syntax Error

There is no "real part". There is only a regular number added to a complex one. — MisterMiyagi
– MisterMiyagi, Commented Aug 12, 2020 at 15:22
Hi @MisterMiyagi Thanks for your reply.Can you please elaborate more what it mean by only regular number added. And also x = 0B1111 + 20J in this what is the regular number & real part. — Shailesh Yadav
– Shailesh Yadav, Commented Aug 13, 2020 at 3:21

Selcuk · Accepted Answer · 2020-05-19 05:27:03Z

3

Because in Python, complex numbers are represented as a pair of floating point numbers and have the same restrictions on their range:

https://docs.python.org/3/reference/lexical_analysis.html#imaginary-literals

imagnumber ::=  (floatnumber | digitpart) ("j" | "J")

There is no binary literal support for floats therefore it raises a syntax error.

When you write 0b11+2j, the real part (0b11) is implicitly converted to a float.

answered May 19, 2020 at 5:27

Selcuk

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