''' Purpose: demonstrate int and float numeric input processing
'''

# get inputs
x_reply = input( 'Enter base (integer): ' )
n_reply = input( 'Enter exponent (decimal): ' ) 

# We want to perform the operation x ** n (exponentiation)
# We prompt the user for two values up above using input.
# REMEMBER input() is a function that hands back whatever the user
# entered as a string.
# Sooo what that means is if I write 5 in the console after the first
# prompt, x_reply stores the value of that 5 as a string!
# x_reply = "5"
# Likewise same thing for n_reply stores whatever use enters into n_reply

# answer = x_reply ** n_reply
# Why'd it blow up? Because they're strings!! x_reply and n_reply
# ARE STRINGS!!! "2" and "2.5"
# SOOO WE CAST IT. Cast it into a number form using functions int() and
# float().

print() # This just prints a blank line.
# It doesn't affect input prompts.. more for separation.

# convert inputs to numerics
x = int( x_reply )                  # cast string x_reply to get an int
n = float( n_reply )                # cast string n_reply to get a decimal

# So again we did typecasting (casting) which converts different types
# into other types. We used int( x_reply ) to convert the string of x_reply
# "2" into number 2 stored in x :) This is something you should keep track of!

# A string of a number can be converted into a number!
# compute x to the nth power
value = x ** n

# You just need two numbers for the exponentiation operator :)
# Can be ints or floats :) You can't do exponentiation
# with two strings even if the strings are like "3" or "3.5"
# You have to convert them into numbers first.

# display result
print( value )

# If I wanted a number and I say reply = input("Enter a number:")
# and the user entered "two" the string "two" is stored in reply
# and int(reply) would be like "that's not a number..." and it
# wouldn't work. It has to be "2" or "3" or a number inside the string\

# Play around with the numbers and casting!
# x = 3
# y = float(x)
# print(y) will print out 3.0

# x = 3.25
# y = int(x)
# print(y) will print out 3

# This is the difference between castings! int("3") will return 3
# float("3.25") will return 3.25 NOT AS STRINGS :D

# Okay so here's the thing.. when you enter something
# in response to a prompt in the console whatever you type
# is automatically handed back as a string
# so it's not like you have to put "3" or quotations around it
# to make it a string. reply stores the user input AS a string.
# reply now HOLDS a string.

# You might have to convert back into a string if we ask you to.
# More on this later promise!