== REAL type variables ==

REAL type variables (**REAL**, **LREAL**) are defined by the **IEEE 754** (//IEEE 754/1985 Floating Point Number Format//) standard. This is a fairly complex type, which, despite its intimidating complexity, is practically suitable for storing fractional numbers.

If you are interested in the definition of the type, please look it up on Wikipedia, for example, because I can't; I simply can't explain how this type works in a simple way.

{{:automation:topics:real_en.png|REAL type variables}}

  * **Sign**: The sign is determined by one bit (red color). This bit can be either “0” (positive) or “1” (negative). 
  * **Exponent**: The exponent ranges from 128 to -127. 
  * **Mantissa**: Only the mantissa is a fractional part of the overall value.

^Type^Bit^Value range DEC|
|REAL|32|-3.402823e+38 .. -1.175 495e-38 .. +1.175 495e-38 .. +3.402823e+38|
|LREAL|64|-1.7976931348623158e+308 .. -2.2250738585072014e-308 .. +2.2250738585072014e-308 .. +1.7976931348623158e+308|

In practice, REAL is suitable for handling fractions and large values. Due to its nature, it is mainly used for processing and evaluating measurements. It is important to note that, because of its structure, if a very large value is stored in it and we try to increase or decrease it by, say, a very small value, nothing will happen; the stored value will not change. The type is inherently not suitable for handling exact counters, since it handles numbers “in order of magnitude." [[int_type_variables|INT]] is more appropriate for counting functions.