0e12

0e12 is a numeric literal written in scientific notation, where the significand (mantissa) is 0 and the exponent is 12. In mathematics this represents 0 × 10^12, which equals zero. Consequently, 0e12 is equal to zero regardless of the exponent, because any zero multiplied by a nonzero power of ten remains zero.

In the context of floating-point arithmetic, 0e12 denotes a zero value stored in a floating-point format. Depending on the system and language, there can be a distinction between positive zero and negative zero; for example, a leading minus sign (−0e12) would typically yield negative zero, a concept that exists in IEEE 754 representations. However, both forms behave as zero in most arithmetic and comparisons.

In programming languages, 0e12 is usually parsed as a floating-point literal with value 0.0. It is functionally equivalent to 0.0 or 0e0, but the presence of the exponent emphasizes a floating context. Operations involving 0e12 follow standard rules for zero: adding or multiplying by nonzero numbers yields predictable results (for instance, 0e12 + 5 = 5, 0e12 × 7 = 0). Comparisons with zero or other numeric literals are true when appropriate (0e12 == 0).

Overall, 0e12 serves mainly as a representation of zero in a floating-point format using scientific notation; it conveys a floating-point context without altering the mathematical value of zero.

See also: Scientific notation, Floating-point arithmetic, Zero.