There are some compiler library functions for converting between packed
decimal and other things.  Look for HPPACCVDA and HPPACCVB to start with.
The first one accepts a packed decimal and returns an ASCII string.  The
second one returns an integer. Naturally, there is still additional
manipulation to do after conversion (decimal points, etc.).

Charles Finley
Transformix Computer Corporation
(310) 630-1773
(310) 630-1770

> -----Original Message-----
> From: HP-3000 Systems Discussion [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
> Behalf Of Tom
> Sent: Tuesday, March 28, 2000 5:35 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Visual Basic and HP3000 Cobol
>
>
> The functions EXTIN' and INEXT' convert between Real and ASCII numbers.
> There's an old "greenie" HP Note about using it for conversion. There's
> even info on how to use it for conversion in RPG!. Note that the
> trailing tic mark (single quote) is part of the function name (as in
> CALL "EXTIN'").
>
> Tony Summers wrote:
> >
> > Hello all.
> >
> > Can anybody enlighten me as to translate between VB's "Single"
> data type and
> > numeric data types in Cobol.  (eg. PIC S9(n)v9(m) comp sync or
> comp-3 etc)
> >
> > I've managed to translate between VB's integer and long data
> types to plain old
> > PIC s9(n) COMP SYNC by simply byte swapping on the HP (what my
> 3rd party vendor
> > refers to as "little Endian").
> >
> > I would prefer to do the translation on the HP.
> >
> > Ta an e-Bundle.
>