By default, bc interprets any alpha character as a 9

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                          **System**: 

 - Ubuntu 22.04.3 LTS
 - GNU bash, version 5.1.16(1)-release (x86_64-pc-linux-gnu)
 - bc 1.07.1

**Observation**: 

Both ibase and obase are unset. 

    echo "A0" | bc
    90
    echo "B0" | bc
    90
    echo "X0" | bc
    90

**Question**: 
Why does bc interpret alpha characters as 9s by default? Why wouldn't an error message be preferable here?
                        

Asked by yossi-matkal (193 rep)

Mar 23, 2024, 04:04 PM
Last activity: Mar 23, 2024, 06:33 PM

By default, bc interprets any alpha character as a 9

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