lexical syntax for numbers

[CPH%MIT-OZ@MIT-MC.ARPA]

    Date: Sunday, 21 April 1985  22:20-EST
    From: Bill Rozas <JINX>

    Why don't we fix the order of the exactness, radix, and precision
    modifiers?  I don't think anything is gained from allowing arbitrary
    order and the parser may become simpler if it can easily default.

One thing that is gained from arbitrary order is that one need not
remember what the particular order is -- a great advantage to people
who don't remember trivial details very well and don't like reading
manuals.