inet_addr API question

[Paul Jackson <paulgjackson@xxxxxxxxx>]

Greetings sockets & API gurus,

I am trying to use the "inet_addr" sockets api to
convert a dotted decimal IP address into a 4 byte
integer.
My confusion lies in the fact that the documentation
for the API specifies an unsigned integer as the
return value.  The documentation also specifies that
the return value will be set to -1 if there is an
error on the call to the API.

The example in the new RPG redbook on page 197,
specifies the prototype return value as 10U 0 as per
the documentation and also mentions -1 as an error
return value.

My question is, how can you test for -1 on an unsigned
integer field? and if this is just incorrect
documentation of the API? Also if I make the return
variable a signed integer, then I sometimes get
overflow errors when translating test IP address such
as 255.255.255.255.

I look forward to hearing any comments relating to
this problem.

Paul Jackson
Systems Programmer/Analyst
Costco Wholesale
Issaquah, WA USA

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