Defect Report #220

Submitter: Clive Feather (UK)
Submission Date: 04-April-2000
Reference Document: NA
Version: 1.2
Date: 2000/04/18 05:10:16
Subject: decimal integer
Summary

7.19.6.1[#4] reads in part:
  • An optional minimum field width. [...] The field width takes the form of an asterisk * (described later) or a decimal integer.232)
  • An optional precision [...] The precision takes the form of a period . followed either by an asterisk * (described later) or by an optional decimal integer; [...]
  • 7.19.6.2 #3 reads in part:
  • An optional nonzero decimal integer that specifies the maximum field width (in characters).
  • 7.24.2.1 and 7.24.2.2 have essentially the same wording.
    The term "decimal integer" is defined neither in the Standard nor in ISO 2382-1. Therefore it is not possible to tell whether, in each case:
  • the value may be zero
  • a non-significant leading zero digit may be used
  • the value may be negative.
  • Suggested Technical Corrigendum Add a new paragraph to 7.1.1:
    [#x] A decimal integer is a sequence of digits which may begin with one or more zeros, but is nonetheless interpreted as decimal, not octal.
    Append to the first cited text in 7.19.6.1:
    (A leading zero will be interpreted as a flag, not as part of the width).

    Committee Discussion

    Propose five changes to be incorporated into the TC:

    [NO AGREEMENT ON CHANGE #1]

    There were two sides to the discussion on Change #1: (1) change the normative reference that points to the Vocabulary standards, (2) no change to the standard and respond to this change with: "There was no consensus within the committee to make this change. The committee felt it the wording was clear and unlikely to misinterpreted."

    Possible Change #1: In the normative references, change "ISO/IEC 2382-1" ==> "ISO/IEC 2382". This change solves the problem for "decimal integer" because (1) "decimal" and "integer" are defined individual within ISO/IEC 2382, and (2) the combined term "decimal integer" is the combination of their definitions.

    [THERE WAS AGREEMENT ON THE FOLLOWING CHANGES]

    Change #2: In 7.19.6.1P4, which reads in part:

    An optional minimum field width. [...] The field width takes the form of an asterisk * (described later) or a decimal integer.[232] An optional precision [...] The precision takes the form of a period . followed either by an asterisk * (described later) or by an optional decimal integer; [...]

    change "decimal integer" ==> "non-negative decimal integer".

    Change #3: In 7.19.6.2P3, which reads in part:

    An optional nonzero decimal integer that specifies the maximum field width (in characters).

    change "non-zero decimal integer" ==> "decimal integer greater than zero".

    Change #4: In 7.24.2.1P4, make similar changes of "decimal integer" ==> "non-negative decimal integer".

    Change #5: In 7.24.2.2P3, make similar changes of "non-zero decimal integer" ==> "decimal integer greater than zero".

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