Can float (or double) be set to NaN?

Question

I understand this has little practical purpose, but can a float or double be set to NaN?

I wouldn't say there's little practical purpose. For instance I am using this method to specify failed results in a table of doubles. — Robin Newhouse, Jun 14 '14 at 00:28

score 28 · Accepted Answer · answered Sep 14 '11 at 15:53

28

The Float object contains a static value, which is a float type, called NaN.

So

float myFloat = Float.NaN;

gives you what you are asking.

answered Sep 14 '11 at 15:53

Codemwnci

I thought that was just a constant representation for a wrapper class (but the constant is still a valid number)? I'm looking for setting the `float` or `double` to NaN, thus making it unusable in any arithmatic. – ahodder Sep 14 '11 at 15:55
No, the constant is for the primitive type. – Codemwnci Sep 14 '11 at 15:56
Ok, sorry, you edited before I finished this comment, thanks for the clarification. – ahodder Sep 14 '11 at 15:56

score 12 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 14 '11 at 15:54

12

Sure! NaN is a static constant in the Float and Double classes.

double x = Double.NaN;

answered Sep 14 '11 at 15:54

japreiss

Brian Agnew · Answer 3 · 2011-09-14T16:05:29.130

9

Yes

float f = Float.NaN;

See the doc for more info. Note that if you want to compare a number to NaN, you should use isNan().

Despite your question above, this does have a practical purpose. You can use this to indicate a value hasn't been set/provided yet.

edited Sep 14 '11 at 16:05

answered Sep 14 '11 at 15:53

Brian Agnew

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Sep 02 '22 at 19:57

0

jshell> double ddd=Double.NaN; ddd ==> NaN

jshell> ddd!=ddd $5 ==> true

answered Sep 02 '22 at 19:57

27P

4 Answers4