Numeric Data Processing Standards

When to Use

Apply this skill when:

• Defining numeric variables or constants
• Performing numeric calculations or operations
• Comparing numeric values
• Converting between data types
• Reviewing code for potential numeric-related defects

Core Procedures

1. Data Type Selection and Declaration

• Choose appropriate data type based on requirements (BCD, floating-point, integer)
• Review compiler warnings related to data types
• Add explanatory comments when declaring variables
• Define portable data types for cross-platform compatibility

2. Literals and Magic Number Handling

• Replace literal numbers with named constants
• Avoid hardcoded 0 and 1 except when semantically appropriate
• Eliminate "magic numbers" by using descriptive constant names

3. Numeric Operations and Conversions

• Handle numeric type conversions explicitly
• Avoid comparisons between mixed types
• Prevent operations on numbers with vastly different magnitudes
• Consider computational cost of common operations

4. Error Prevention and Boundary Checks

• Implement integer overflow protection
• Validate integer ranges before operations
• Prevent division by zero errors
• Apply boundary analysis to avoid off-by-one errors

Key Considerations

• Type Safety: Always verify type compatibility before operations
• Precision: Be aware of floating-point precision limitations
• Portability: Use type definitions that work across platforms
• Performance: Balance safety with computational efficiency
• Readability: Named constants improve code maintainability

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Implicit type conversions that lose precision
• Comparing floating-point numbers for exact equality
• Assuming integer overflow behavior across compilers
• Using magic numbers without documentation
• Ignoring compiler warnings about type mismatches