this post was submitted on 19 Sep 2024
1482 points (98.4% liked)

Programmer Humor

32472 readers
982 users here now

Post funny things about programming here! (Or just rant about your favourite programming language.)

Rules:

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
 
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] [email protected] 120 points 1 month ago (23 children)

She is right, using 0 index for physical stuff is stupid.

[–] [email protected] 45 points 1 month ago (13 children)

Your rulers start at 1? That sounds annoying.

[–] [email protected] 20 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I've seen a lot of rulers that actually don't have a mark at 0 and instead go right to the edge as 0. Typically they are worn down, being made of wood, so the accuracy of the first inch is dubious. To ensure the distance is correct, sliding the ruler down one unit is a good idea. So, my ruler starts at 0 but my measurements start at 1.

[–] [email protected] 23 points 1 month ago (1 children)

That's why decent rulers have a 0 and a margin:

plastic ruler starting at 0 cm

[–] [email protected] 22 points 1 month ago (2 children)

It really depends on what you're measuring. Good luck measuring the distance from a corner if you can't get 0 to touch the end.

Tape measures are almost always designed with this in mind, so you can hook the end over an edge, or butt it up against something and the measurement will be accurate both ways, since the metal end can slide in or out by just the right amount.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 month ago

since the metal end can slide in or out by just the right amount.

OMG! I genuinely thought all the tape measures I have handled were a little broken.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago

Just shave down the rulers margin!

load more comments (11 replies)
load more comments (20 replies)