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Date: Wed, 26 Jul 2006 04:26:53 -0500
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Subject: dec*(), *dec(), base_convert() and negative numbers
From: php_lists@realplain.com ("Matt W")

Hi all,

I was just updating the dec[bin|hex|oct] functions to convert numbers >=
2^32 since the [bin|hex|oct]dec counterparts were updated way back in PHP
4.1.

My question is if negative numbers should be handled any differently.  Now
negative longs are converted to unsigned which gives a weird result for
regular users IMO.  The *dec() functions ignore negative strings.  Because
of the way base_convert() works, if you pass a negative number (gets
converted to string), the result will be from the absolute value instead of
what you get with dec*().

*) Should the dec*() functions continue to convert negative longs to
unsigned and use absolute value for doubles?

*) Should absolute value always be used, like with base_convert()?

*) Should everything be changed to support negative numbers going both
directions (to or from base)?


Thanks,
Matt