Re: A Packed-Decimal Machine? (was Entry Parameters)

Okay, let me get this straight.  I have a parameter I set up as
Binary.  Then I multiply this number by a value, and then return
it.

Are you saying that first it converts it to Packed as soon as it
receives it, then it goes down to the math unit which converts it
back to binary and does the multiplication, then it gets passed
back up to the RPG program which, again, converts it to Packed,
then it converts it to Binary when it gets passed out?

You've gotta be joking me!

Regards,

Jim Langston

Jon.Paris@halinfo.it wrote:

>  >> I think you said it right there, if Packed is faster than Binary,
> isn't it a conclusion that Binary is converted to Packed before
> math occurs?
>
> I didn't say that - but maybe I'm being more obscure than usual.  RPG
> _deliberately_ converts all type B binary fields to packed - not the AS/400 -
> the RPG compiler.  COBOL does the same thing unless you use a compiler 
>directive
> to tell it not to.  It is not done for efficiency - I can explain it if you 
>want
> but maybe off list.  On the other hand the I and U binary types are processed 
>in
> their "raw" form and are way faster.
>
>  >> Everything I have seen makes me think the AS/400 on the
> machine level uses BCD math instead of hex math whenever
> it can.
>
> Nope - binary.  There are no pure hardware assists I don't believe - only
> microcode.

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