RE: V4R5?

boldt@ca.ibm.com on 04/13/2000 08:07:03 AM
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Subject:  RE: V4R5?



Rob wrote:
>>By default, all binary fields in DDS get mapped to binary
>>decimal fields in RPG.  However, if you want binary DDS
>>fields to be treated as integer in RPG, use H-Spec keyword
>>EXTBININT(*YES).  This applies both to external records
>>and to externally described data structures.  Note that
>>only binary fields with zero decimal places can be treated
>>as integer.
>
>Thank you.  Is there a reason not to do this?

Is there a reason not to use EXTBININT(*YES)?  No, not really.

The default is EXTBININT(*NO) simply for compatibility with
old programs.  Treating your DDS binaries as integer within
your RPG programs has several advantages:  1) You get the full
range of integer values, not just -9999 to 9999 (for example);
2) When used in arithmetic expressions, the overflow exception
is always signalled, so you always know that your values
aren't getting truncated by mistake;  3) Arithmetic happens in
integer format (not packed), so your arithmetic expressions
perform faster.

Cheers!  Hans

Hans Boldt, ILE RPG Development, IBM Toronto Lab, boldt@ca.ibm.com


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