OpenEuphoria

Re: bcd

• Posted by rforno at tutopia.com Apr 14, 2002
• 370 views

Hi, Antoine!
Thanks for asking my opinion on BCD.
There is a thing I still do not understand: what are the advantages of doing
BCD math instead of using standard binary math with, let's say, cents
instead of dollars, and then converting to dollars and cents only at the
output? This is for commercial applications.
Of course this does not consider huge or very small quantities with many,
many digits precision, but they still could be managed with the approach I
suggest using binary rather than decimal arithmetic, which would be faster.
Regards.
----- Original Message -----
From: <a.tammer at hetnet.nl>
To: "EUforum" <EUforum at topica.com>
Subject: bcd



hi evrybody,

first of all apologies to Derek, for not mentioning him (being the first to
react) in my last piece.

before i really start putting things together, i'd like to establish limits
on an actual [real world] precision to be achieved by the routines, as well
as the maximum number of digits to be displayable. more or less like setting
a standard for EFP-calculations.

i would appreciate evry1's input on that, including Rob's,Irv's, Ricardo's
and of all those who would like to see a BCD-possibility for EU.

'tho i could do 9 digits in an integer on 2nd thought i choose to do 8 as
this would give a real time-gain on mult() and pow() that will far outweigh
the storage-penalty of 12.5/100.

having said my main piece, i'd like to be quite open with you all. i'm more
of a conceptualist than i'm an EU-progger or even progger per se. most of
you lady(ies) and gents with far more experience than me in EU will be able
to do the actual coding a lot faster than i can. i nevertheless will do it
of course, 'tho i like the idea of a small team with a math-head, a fluent
progger/coder working with me on my concept, which i will put in a small
paper (app. 3*A4) today and post to those willing to join the team by this
time to-morrow.

antoine