Re: Large number division

From: Bobby Hicks <Robert.Hicks@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: MI Programming on the AS400 / iSeries <mi400@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> My main interest is in creating an expression entry screen like the one in
> query where the user enters some expression.  The result of this express
> would be printed on a report.  The problem is that I don't want overflow
> errors if I divide a large number by a very small number.  I know that the
> current limit for numerical values would rarely be reached, but I'd like a
> way around it just the same.  More importantly, I want to know just
> because I don't already how to do it.

first of all, the small number (the divisor) could be zero so you always
get overflow. Now, you can test for that. Any other number and the result of
the
division will always be smaller than the first number (the dividend). So if
you can
store and hold the dividend, you can always store and hold the result of the
division. So, where is the problem? It is possible (and fun) to write
routines
that can add/subtract/multiply/divide numbers of arbitrary length, but you
have to make a business case for it (maybe). Anyway, you just gave me
an idea for yet another chapter (if I could only find the time).
Leif