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

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

# huh = x_reply ** n_reply
# print( huh )    # this willllllll blow up
    # x_reply and n_reply are STRINGS!!!!!
    # You can't do math with number strings.

# Key Takeaway again: input( prompt ) hands back user input as a STRING.

print() 

# 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

# int( x ) and float( x ) - convert whatever x is to an int and float
# respectively. They only take in ONE thing to convert.
# Again, you can't do int('3 2') or something.

# You can't do int('3.5') because the string is not a string of an int.
# You can do int('3') or float('3.5') or float('3') but not int('3.5').
# !! int() cannot convert a decimal string to an integer!

''' INTS AND FLOATS ''' # Please make sure you know how this works! :)
# USING INT for strings vs. numbers
    # int('3') -> 3                     # convert string integer to number
    # int(3.871298734891754) -> 3       # chop off decimal portion to get
                                        # integer
# int produces integers and float produces decimal numbers.
    # float('3.5') -> 3.5
    # float('3') -> 3.0
    # float(3) -> 3.0

# VOCAB TERM FOR YOU ALL: numeric string
# A numeric string is a string representation of a number i.e. '3' or '512'
# THIS TERM HAS SHOWN UP ON HOMEWORKS AND TESTS

# In this program, the base must be an integer and the
# exponent can be either because again float('3') or float('3.5') work
# since integers are a subset of decimals but NOT vice versa.

# compute x to the nth power
value = x ** n

# display result
print( value )