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Date: Mon, 14 Sep 2015 21:51:52 +0200
From: "Nicklas Karlsson (nicklas DOT karlsson17 AT gmail DOT com) [via geda-user AT delorie DOT com]" <geda-user AT delorie DOT com>
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> > Given location is nanometers, you should have an equally precise
> > unit for other measurements.
> 
> Yes! And floating point isn't always so precise.

It depends on if you need "book keeping" precision so that numbers add up exactly. Float have fixed number of significant bits and bits to move decimal point. For real world data it make a lot of sense with the same number of significant bits regardless of decimal point and a huge range. In real world nothing is exact and resolution of float is usually a lot better regardless of units, for example nano meters or miles. The great thing with float is the significant number of bits is the same for the same distance for both nano meters and miles.

Nicklas Karlsson