PRB: Setting Decimals to 10 or More Creates Incorrect Result (193415)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Windows 5.0
  • Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Windows 5.0a
  • Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Windows 6.0
This article was previously published under Q193415

SYMPTOMS

With Decimals set to 10 or greater, the SUM() function returns results that do not match the lesser decimal equivalent.

RESOLUTION

Here are two potential workarounds depending on the application's needs:
  • Use the Currency field datatype where possible. -or-

  • Use the Round() function when comparing a value to another with decimal places set to > 9.

Example

   IF Round(m.x3,2) <> 300.03
      ? "Mismatch 3"
   ENDIF

STATUS

Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

Run the following code in a program file. 
   *******************Begin Code****************
   CLOSE ALL
   CLEAR
   SET DECIMALS TO 10

   CREATE CURSOR test2 (f1 N(10,2))
   CREATE CURSOR test3 (f1 N(10,2))
   CREATE CURSOR test4 (f1 N(10,2))
   CREATE CURSOR test5 (f1 N(10,2))
   CREATE CURSOR test6 (f1 N(10,2))

   INSERT INTO test2 VALUES(100.01)
   INSERT INTO test2 VALUES(100.01)

   INSERT INTO test3 VALUES(100.01)
   INSERT INTO test3 VALUES(100.01)
   INSERT INTO test3 VALUES(100.01)

   INSERT INTO test4 VALUES(100.01)
   INSERT INTO test4 VALUES(100.01)
   INSERT INTO test4 VALUES(100.01)
   INSERT INTO test4 VALUES(100.01)

   INSERT INTO test5 VALUES(100.01)
   INSERT INTO test5 VALUES(100.01)
   INSERT INTO test5 VALUES(100.01)
   INSERT INTO test5 VALUES(100.01)
   INSERT INTO test5 VALUES(100.01)

   INSERT INTO test6 VALUES(100.01)
   INSERT INTO test6 VALUES(100.01)
   INSERT INTO test6 VALUES(100.01)
   INSERT INTO test6 VALUES(100.01)
   INSERT INTO test6 VALUES(100.01)
   INSERT INTO test6 VALUES(100.01)

   SELECT test2
   SUM f1 TO m.x2

   SELECT test3
   SUM f1 TO m.x3

   SELECT test4
   SUM f1 TO m.x4

   SELECT test5
   SUM f1 TO m.x5

   SELECT test6
   SUM f1 TO m.x6

   IF m.x2 <> 200.02
      ? "Mismatch 2"
   ENDIF

   IF m.x3 <> 300.03
      ? "Mismatch 3"
   ENDIF

   IF m.x4 <> 400.04
      ? "Mismatch 4"
   ENDIF

   IF m.x5 <> 500.05
      ? "Mismatch 5"
   ENDIF

   IF m.x6 <> 600.06
      ? "Mismatch 6"
   ENDIF
   *******************End Code**************************
Notice that there are two errors listed:
  • Mismatch 3 -and-

  • Mismatch 6
Another way to verify the problem is to step through the code in the Visual FoxPro Debugger. Place the following in the Watch window: 
   M.X3=300.03
   M.X6=600.06
Both of these entries return ".F."

If you change the number of decimals to less than 10 using the SET DECIMALS TO command, the problem does not occur. Furthermore, changing the number of decimals stored in the table does not matter.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/11/1999
Keywords:kbprb KB193415
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.