abs (was: volatile isn't necessary, but it's there)

[Doug Gwyn]

In article <10068 at tut.cis.ohio-state.edu> lvc at tut.cis.ohio-state.edu (Lawrence V. Cipriani) writes:
>Yes.  I was shocked when I read that abs() was taken out of <math.h> and
>more so when I read the reason.  abs() was removed from <math.h> because
>some compilers will create executable images with unused floating point
>routines in them <math.h> is included.
>
>Flame on: Of all the stupid things I read in the draft this takes the
>cake.  Why don't the vendors fix their stupid compilers and leave the
><math.h> users alone!  Come on!  abs() is a math function and <math.h>
>is where it belongs!

Well, if <math.h> is where it belongs, why isn't it there on UNIX
systems?

All you have uncovered is an error in the Rationale document.
abs() was never in <math.h>, not in UNIX and not in the /usr/group
1984 Standard which served as the base document for the library.

I will ask the Rationale editor to correct his document.

P.S.  I don't know of anybody who uses the abs() library routine;
we all use a macro instead.  I would be happy if abs() were not
required at all.