sum - return sum of variable values

SYNOPSIS

<sum $fmt $var [$var ...]>

DESCRIPTION
The sum function numerically (floating-point) sums the $var arguments' values. The result is then cast to the type implied by the $fmt argument, which is a fmt format string for one numeric argument. If $fmt is empty, ``%g'' is assumed.

The $fmt format can be any numerical format supported by the fmt function (p. ). Thus, ``%d'' would return an integer, truncated if needed; ``%1.2f'' would return a floating point value with up to 2 decimal places.

If one or more of the values of any of the $var arguments are non-numeric, the function returns the string concatenation of the $var values instead. In this case, each value (not the result) is first formatted with the $fmt argument. If $fmt is empty, ``%s'' is assumed.

DIAGNOSTICS
If all arguments are numeric, sum numerically sums them, and then formats and casts the result using the $fmt argument. If any arguments are non-numeric, each argument is formatted with the $fmt argument, and their string concatenation is returned.

EXAMPLE

<$x = 1 2 3>
<sum "%d" $x 4>
$ret
<sum "%10s" "one" "two" "three">
$ret

The output would be (note spacing):

10
       one       two     three

CAVEATS
The sum function was added Sep. 20 1996. In versions prior to Nov 25 1996, the $fmt argument was ignored when concatenating strings.

The $fmt argument should be appropriate for the values' type (numeric or string).

SEE ALSO
fmt