getPosTanfloat

getPosTanfloat is a function used in graphics, animation, and mathematics libraries to evaluate a parametric curve at a given parameter value and return two single-precision floating-point results: the position and the tangent. The exact interpretation of these values depends on the curve representation in the API. In many contexts, the function yields a scalar position along the curve and a scalar tangent value that represents the rate and direction of change with respect to the parameter.

Typically, getPosTanfloat takes a description of the curve (such as a curve object or function) and a parameter t within the curve’s domain. The function outputs two floats: pos and tan. Some language bindings implement this as a direct return of a two-element pair, while others use output parameters to receive pos and tan. If t lies outside the curve’s valid domain, the function may clamp t to the nearest valid value or signal an error, depending on the API’s design.

The position value can correspond to a coordinate along the curve or a projection, while the tangent value reflects the instantaneous rate of change of the curve with respect to t. In 2D or 3D variants of a library, the underlying API might extend getPosTanfloat to return vector components; however, the naming suggests a focus on single-precision scalar outputs.

Common use cases include animation along a path, motion planning, and derivative-based shading or illumination calculations. See also getPosTan, getPoint, and curve derivative utilities.