The nchoosek source contains this comment:
## FIXME -- This function is identical to bincoeff for scalar
## values, and so should probably be combined with bincoeff.
However, the two functions behave differently even for scalar values:
- nchoosek only works for integer values, and is very fast
- bincoeff works for real values, and can handle big numbers without
allocating much memory
So I see two changes to be done:
1) nchoosek should check for integer input scalar values, and either
a) barf if not integer or
b) call bincoeff to give a correct result
2) bincoeff could check for integer arguments and use the different,
faster algorithm of nchoosek in this case
I can make all or part of these changes, if people think they are
allright.
At least 1a) should be implemented, in my opinion, and the FIXME comment
removed.