Dezimalkomma

Dezimalkomma, or decimal comma, is the decimal separator used in many European languages to divide the integer part from the fractional part of a number. In 3,14, the comma separates 3 from 14 hundredths, as opposed to the decimal point 3.14 used in English-speaking regions. The decimal comma is standard in numerous languages, including German, Dutch, French, Italian, Spanish, and Swedish, among others.

Regional conventions vary for thousands separators and number formatting. Many locales use a period or a space to mark thousands (for example, 1.234,56 or 1 234,56). In English-speaking countries, the decimal separator is a period and the thousands separator is often a comma (1,234.56). In computing and data exchange, decimal numbers are often represented with a dot in code and data formats like JSON, while localization settings can change the display to show a comma.

Historically, decimal notation was developed and disseminated in Europe during the early modern period, and the decimal comma became standard in many languages as part of ordinary mathematical notation. Today, the decimal comma remains predominant in most European languages and many other regions, while some languages and international standards prefer the decimal point. The distinction between comma and point is important for international communication, finance, and software localization.