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