Wes Gamble wrote:
> Thanks for the comprehensive response.
> 
> Well, I can't really argue with the C implementation, of course...
> 
> BUT
> 
> it feels like if I declare my intent to interpret the sprintf input as a 
> _decimal_ number with %d (there's a %o if I wanted octal), that is 
> should allow for leading zeroes.
> 
> My intent in writing sprintf("%d", '08') is to say take the string 08 
> and turn it into the number 8.
> 
> It isn't to say here's an octal number, please convert it to decimal for 
> me.  If I think the string is octal, I'll use %o for that.
> 
> So in the spirit of what the user expects, I still think this smells 
> bad.
> 
> Feel free to convince me otherwise.

I see your point. But most things in Ruby that are stolen from C
behave JUST like the C counterparts. In fact, in many cases they
are just wrappers.

So I can understand why you don't like it. But my understanding
is that you should blame C.


Hal