On 7 Sep 2006 06:43:00 -0700, in bit.listserv.ibm-main you wrote: >On Thu, 7 Sep 2006 10:20:21 -0300, Clark F Morris ><[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> >>.... Reliability is based on the >>least reliable component. COBOL is required to generate code that >>correctly (if slowly) handles decimal.... > >what??? >Are you saying that COBOL code is unreliable? >that only cobol can generate decimal arithmetic? >that packed decimal arithmetic is slow?
Ooops, I had too many brief statements. What I was trying to say was: 1. Even a mainframe can be insecure and unreliable if the facilities aren't used properly. The application has to use the security facilities in order to be secure. Thus the application (or the system installation process or the security administration) may be the least reliable component. 2. I am saying that COBOL is required to deliver the same results on decimal arithmetic regardless of platform and presence or absence of decimal arithmetic on that platform. Thus the HP Superdomes in this case should still get the same results in any given computation if compatible compiler options are chosen to match what was done on the z series. 3. Packed decimal arithmetic is much slower than binary on the z series. True decimal arithmetic becomes even more painful compute time wise on those platforms that don't have a decimal arithmetic instruction set. The greater speed of the other processors offsets this to at least some extent. > >Or something else? > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
