Thread: Convert DegMinSec to Decimal Degrees

  1. #1
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    Convert DegMinSec to Decimal Degrees

    Convert DegMinSec to Decimal Degrees

    Hello,

    I once again found a little time to toy with C Programming.
    I have applied the helpful advice from this message board since my last post.
    I used the utility on http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/bickel/DDDMMSS-decimal.html
    to check my output.
    I was pleased that my program output matched that of the utility except on
    my final test input of 1.0101.
    Please see the comments at the end of my program for details.

    Code:
    /* Name: TODECDEG.C */
    /* Purpose: Convert Degrees Minutes Seconds to Decimal Degrees */
    /* Author: JacquesLeJock */
    /* Date: November 19, 2007 */
    /* Compiler: Pacific C for MS-DOS, v7.51 */
    
    #include <stdio.h>
    
    main()
    {
    double deg_min_sec = 0, decimal_deg = 0;
    double mind = 0, secd = 0;
    int deg = 0, min = 0, sec = 0;
    
    printf("Enter Degrees Minutes Seconds: ");
    scanf("%lf", &deg_min_sec);
    
    
    deg = deg_min_sec; /* conversion during assignment */
    min = (deg_min_sec - deg) * 100;
    sec = ((deg_min_sec - deg) * 100 - min) * 100;
    
    mind = (double) min / 60; /* http://c-faq.com/expr/truncation1.html */
    secd = (double) sec / 3600;
    decimal_deg = deg + mind + secd;
    
    printf("Decimal Degrees: %f\n\n", decimal_deg);
    return 0;
    }
    
    /* Sample output:
    
    Enter Degrees Minutes Seconds: 1.0101
    Decimal Degrees: 1.016667
    
    Press any key to continue ...
    
    */
    
    /* Note:
    
    This conversion does not agree with
    http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/bickel/DDDMMSS-decimal.html.
    Their utility yields 1.016944. Why?
    
    */
    Any help would be greatly appreciated!

    Regards,

    Jacques

  2. #2
    Registered User NeonBlack's Avatar
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    rounding errors are probably causing sec to be something like 0.99999999999998
    which is assigned to an int as 0 instead of 1.

  3. #3
    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
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    Consider using a single multiply by 10000 (not *100 then *100).
    Then you can stick to only using integer arithmetic to extract all the information you need.
    If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
    If at first you don't succeed, try writing your phone number on the exam paper.

  4. #4
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    Thanks for the reply NeonBlack and Salem!
    Last edited by JacquesLeJock; 11-22-2007 at 12:04 AM. Reason: Wanted to include names of responders.

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