function value = r8vec_compare ( n, a1, a2 )

%*****************************************************************************80
%
%% R8VEC_COMPARE compares two R8VEC's.
%
%  Discussion:
%
%    The lexicographic ordering is used.
%
%  Example:
%
%    Input:
%
%      A1 = ( 2.0, 6.0, 2.0 )
%      A2 = ( 2.0, 8.0, 12.0 )
%
%    Output:
%
%      ISGN = '<'
%
%  Licensing:
%
%    This code is distributed under the GNU LGPL license.
%
%  Modified:
%
%    05 August 2018
%
%  Author:
%
%    John Burkardt
%
%  Parameters:
%
%    Input, integer N, the number of entries in the vectors.
%
%    Input, real A1(N), A2(N), the vectors to be compared.
%
%    Output, character VALUE, the results of the comparison:
%    '<', A1 < A2,
%    '=', A1 = A2,
%    '>', A1 > A2.
%
  value = '=';

  k = 1;

  while ( k <= n )

    if ( a1(k) < a2(k) )
      value = '<';
      return
    elseif ( a2(k) < a1(k) )
      value = '>';
      return
    end

    k = k + 1;

  end

  return
end
