Why learn division % if Decimal Module?

Question

If a cheap, handheld calculator can figure out integer and floating point division with '/', I can't get past why Python 3.6 requires the programmer to use 2 different division operators--one for integer and one for floating point?

Is there a good reason why 'I' as a rank beginner should struggle with '/', '//' and '%' if there exists (from what I just read) a decimal library that lets you do division as do calculators and people of the real world doing everyday math?

Mark

Answer 1

Sometimes computer programs need integer values and sometimes they need floating point values.

Answer 2

<<programs need integer values and sometimes they need floating point>>>

I think I get that. What I know I don't get is why the interpreter cannot obtain the integer/float information from the input form--just as a calculator would.

If I knew the program needed float then I'd enter 5.0 instead of 5. If I enter any decimal or exponent or...then I would expect the interpreter to know the program wants float.

If I enter 5/2 I would expect the interpreter to realize there's a remainder and provide the decimal answer--in one step. Then although the divisor and dividend were integers, the interpreter would have to provide a decimal float quotient, otherwise the math would be incorrect.

Can you see where my thought process is missing the boat?

Answer 3

It's the feature on most programming language