In your example, parseFloat is just an identifier that names a method.
just like in this line of code:
public static void main(String[] args)
the
word "main" is an identifier and names this method.
NaN stands for "Not a number." It is part of the IEEE754 standard for dealing with floating point operations.
Basically, this allows for floating point operations without having to raise exceptional conditions.
For example, what is the result of this operation
double number = 0.0/0.0; //number is undefined!
double imaginary = Math.sqrt(-2.0); //not a "Real" number
The important point here is to remember that floating point operations NEVER result in any exceptions being thrown.
Rob
[ January 10, 2002: Message edited by: Rob Ross ]