Comparison of numbers against strings gives unexpected results

[jchd]

The wording used in the helpfile, Datatypes section (when a string is "used" as a number) pushed me to try some tests whose results go against the common explanation repeatedly given: "if a number is compared to a string, the later is evaluated as Number(string)". In short, we have that:

(5 = Number("5abc")) returns True, but
(5 = "5abc") returns False !?!
("5abc" = 5) returns False !?! (just checking)
(0 > "5abc") returns False !?!
(1 > "5abc") returns True !?!
(5 > "5abc") returns True !?!

It _sounds_ like the current rules are something along those lines:

any string containing one or more non-(digit or minus) is evaluated as integer 0

Reals have other rules:

(5 = 5. ) returns True
(5 = '5.') returns False
(5. = '5.') returns False

Perhaps the behavior of comparison between strings and numerics should be clarified. Or Number() should convert the string before comparison, which could possibly break existing (doubtful) code.

I still don't know if this ticket really is a feature request, a documentation clarification request or a bug report.

[TicketCleanup]

Automatic ticket cleanup.

[Valik]

This looks very much like a bug. I see some suspicious code that makes me think the implicit conversions aren't working right.

[Valik]

Fixed in version: 3.3.1.4

[Valik]

I'm reverting my change for the time being. The behavior will not be changed in 3.3.1.4.

[Valik]

Removing the blocking flag. This will not be fixed until later down the road.

[Valik]

It seems like this was fixed at some point. Closing as such.