Digit Separator in C++14

In this article, we will discuss the use of a digit separator in C++. Sometimes, it becomes difficult to read numbers that contain many digits. For example, 1000 is readable but what if more zeros are added to it, let’s say 1000000, now it becomes a little difficult to read, and what will happen if more zeros are added to it.  In real life, commas (, ) are added to the number. For Example: 10, 00, 000. Now it is easy to read, that is ten lakhs.

Now the question arises that C++ doesn’t accept such separators (comma) so how to deal with big numbers. To deal with it, C++14 has introduced a feature and its name is Digit Separator and denoted by a simple quotation mark (‘). This can make it easier for users to read large numbers.

Program 1:

Below is the implementation to show that single quote marks are ignored when determining their value:

C++14

// C++ program to demonstrate
// the above approach
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

// Driver code
int main()
{
    long long int a = 10'00'000;

    // Print the value
    cout << a;

    return 0;
}

Output

1000000

Program 2:

Below is the program to show that Single quote marks are just for users. Using them in any position does not affect the compiler.

C++14

// C++ program to demonstrate
// the above approach
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

// Driver Code
int main()
{
    long long int a = 1'23'456;
    long long int b = 12'34'56;
    long long int c = 123'456;

    // Print all the value
    cout << "a:" << a << endl;
    cout << "b:" << b << endl;
    cout << "c:" << c << endl;

    return 0;
}

Output

a:123456
b:123456
c:123456