Inside Macintosh: PowerPC Numerics / Part 1 - The PowerPC Numerics Environment

Chapter 5 - Conversions

This chapter describes how floating-point numbers can be converted in PowerPC Numerics. PowerPC Numerics can convert floating-point numbers to different data formats automatically or explicitly. For example, when a floating-point expression is evaluated, one or more of its operands might automatically be converted to a different data format. When a floating-point value is assigned to a variable, another automatic conversion might be necessary. You may also perform such conversions explicitly using the conversion utilities provided by your numeric implementation.

This chapter lists the supported numeric conversions and describes how each of these conversions is performed. You should read it to find out exactly how a floating-point value is converted to a different format. Chapter 3, "Expression Evaluation," describes how PowerPC Numerics decides when operands must be converted during expression evaluation. Parts 2 and 3 describe the conversion utilities available to the users of different implementations.

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Chapter Contents

About Conversions

Converting Floating-Point to Integer Formats

Rounding Floating-Point Numbers to Integers

Converting Integers to Floating-Point Formats

Converting Between Floating-Point Formats

Converting Between Single and Double Formats

Converting Between Single and Double-Double Formats

Converting Between Double and Double-Double Formats

Converting Between Binary and Decimal Numbers

Accuracy of Decimal-to-Binary Conversions

Automatic Conversions

Manual Conversions

Converting Between Floating-Point and Decimal Structures

Converting Between Floating-Point and Decimal Strings