On Sun, 27 Apr 2008 14:37:10 -0400 "John P. Baker" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
:>In many cases, the user may simply specify 1.75E+6, the context will :>determine both the format and the length, and everything will be fine. :>However, there are other computational situations where the use of a :>particular format and/or length is important, and the choice of an incorrect :>format and/or length may result in miniscule computational errors, which :>then grow into significant errors through a subsequent series of :>computations. In which cases would it not be resolvable via context? :>It is therefore necessary that the capability to specify formats and lengths :>be present. :>I am currently considering suffix characters of "B" (binary), "D" (decimal), :>and "H" (hexadecimal). :>However, I need to come up with a scheme for the specification of length. :>"S" (single) and "Q" (quad) would seem to work, but "D" (double) would :>already be in use as "D" (decimal). I would suggest that if the format cannot be determined by context, that the raw data as specified be retained with a flag indicating the situation. Then when finally used it can be properly handled. Such as FIELD1 = 1.23 Without knowing what "FIELD1" is, the data cannot be properly stored to be used as is. But it can be retained as a scaled fixed field (which would be exact) and then when used in a floating point expression be properly converted to the correct form. But, all in all, it ain't my dog. :>-----Original Message----- :>From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf :>Of Binyamin Dissen :>Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2008 2:20 PM :>To: IBM-MAIN@BAMA.UA.EDU :>Subject: Re: Fixed-Point and Scientific Notation :> :>If I recall correctly, FORTRAN/PLI needed explicit exponentiation, i.e., :> :> DOUBLE A,B :> . :> A = B+1.23 :> :>would use a short 1.23 rather than determining that the other operands were :>double thus 1.23 should be treated as a double as well. :> :>One had to do :> :> A = B+1.23D0 :> :>It would behoove you to determine the context to generate the best values. :> :>If your parser will support scaled values, 1.23 may not even be a floating :>point number - it may be a fixed scaled value. :> :>In general it is best to make things easier for the carbon life forms :>creating :>and using the data rather than the silicon non-life forms processing the :>data :>(even if it does cause more initial work for the carbon life forms :>programming :>the silicon). -- Binyamin Dissen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.dissensoftware.com Director, Dissen Software, Bar & Grill - Israel Should you use the mailblocks package and expect a response from me, you should preauthorize the dissensoftware.com domain. I very rarely bother responding to challenge/response systems, especially those from irresponsible companies. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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