NAME

       fixed - the corba fixed type

DESCRIPTION

       This module contains functions that gives an interface to the CORBA fixed type.

       The type Fixed used below is defined as:

             -record(fixed, {digits, scale, value}).

       where  digits  is  the  total  amount  of digits it consists of and scale is the number of
       fractional digits. The value field contains the  actual  Fixed  value  represented  as  an
       integer. The limitations of each field are:

         * Digits - integer(), -1 > Digits < 32

         * Scale - integer(), -1 > Scale =< Digits

         * Value - integer(), range (31 digits): +/-9999999999999999999999999999999

       Since  the  Value part is represented by an integer, it is vital that the Digits and Scale
       values are correct. This also means that trailing zeros cannot be left out in some cases:

         * fixed<5,3> eq. 03.140d eq. 3140

         * fixed<3,2> eq. 3.14d eq. 314

       Leading zeros can be left out.

       For your convenience, this module exports functions which  handle  unary  (-)  and  binary
       (+-*/) operations legal for the Fixed type. Since a unary + have no effect, this module do
       not export such a function. Any of the binary operations may cause an overflow (i.e.  more
       than 31 significant digits; leading and trailing zeros are not considered significant). If
       this is the case, the Digit and Scale values are adjusted  and  the  Value  truncated  (no
       rounding  performed).  This  behavior  is compliant with the OMG CORBA specification. Each
       binary operation have the following upper bounds:

         * Fixed1 + Fixed2 - fixed<max(d1-s1,d2-s2) + max(s1,s2) + 1, max(s1,s2)>

         * Fixed1 - Fixed2 - fixed<max(d1-s1,d2-s2) + max(s1,s2) + 1, max(s1,s2)>

         * Fixed1 * Fixed2 - fixed<d1+d2, s1+s2>

         * Fixed1 / Fixed2 - fixed<(d1-s1+s2) + Sinf ,Sinf >

       A quotient may have an arbitrary number of decimal places, which is denoted by a scale  of
       Sinf.

EXPORTS

       create(Digits, Scale, Value) -> Result

              Types:

                 Result = Fixed Type | {'EXCEPTION', #'BAD_PARAM'{}}

              This  function  creates  a  new instance of a Fixed Type. If the limitations is not
              fulfilled (e.g. overflow) an exception is raised.

       get_typecode(Fixed) -> Result

              Types:

                 Result = TypeCode | {'EXCEPTION', #'BAD_PARAM'{}}

              Returns the TypeCode which represents the supplied Fixed type. If the parameter  is
              not of the correct type, an exception is raised.

       add(Fixed1, Fixed2) -> Result

              Types:

                 Result = Fixed1 + Fixed2 | {'EXCEPTION', #'BAD_PARAM'{}}

              Performs  a  Fixed type addition. If the parameters are not of the correct type, an
              exception is raised.

       subtract(Fixed1, Fixed2) -> Result

              Types:

                 Result = Fixed1 - Fixed2 | {'EXCEPTION', #'BAD_PARAM'{}}

              Performs a Fixed type subtraction. If the parameters are not of the  correct  type,
              an exception is raised.

       multiply(Fixed1, Fixed2) -> Result

              Types:

                 Result = Fixed1 * Fixed2 | {'EXCEPTION', #'BAD_PARAM'{}}

              Performs  a  Fixed  type  multiplication.  If the parameters are not of the correct
              type, an exception is raised.

       divide(Fixed1, Fixed2) -> Result

              Types:

                 Result = Fixed1 / Fixed2 | {'EXCEPTION', #'BAD_PARAM'{}}

              Performs a Fixed type division. If the parameters are not of the correct  type,  an
              exception is raised.

       unary_minus(Fixed) -> Result

              Types:

                 Result = -Fixed | {'EXCEPTION', #'BAD_PARAM'{}}

              Negates  the  supplied  Fixed type. If the parameter is not of the correct type, an
              exception is raised.