☜	Data Types Draft MDC Standard					☞

2.5 Data types

The M[UMPS] Language Specification defines two data types, namely, MVALs (variable length character strings) and OREFs (object references). Contexts which demand a numeric, integer, or truth value interpretation are satisfied by unambiguous rules for mapping an MVAL into a number, integer, or truth value.

The implementor is not limited to any particular internal representation. Any internal representation(s) may be employed as long as all necessary mode conversions are performed automatically and all external behavior agrees with the M[UMPS] Language Specification. For example, integers might be stored as binary integers and converted to decimal character strings whenever an operation requires a string value.

Copyright © Standard Documents; 1977-2024 MUMPS Development Committee;
Copyright © Examples: 1995-2024 Ed de Moel;
Copyright © Annotations: 2003-2008 Jacquard Systems Research
Copyright © Annotations: 2008-2024 Ed de Moel.

Some specifications are "approved for inclusion in a future standard". Note that the MUMPS Development Committee cannot guarantee that such future standards will indeed be published.

This page most recently updated on 22-Feb-2004, 18:19:00.

For comments, contact Ed de Moel (demoel@jacquardsystems.com)