DECIMALps

DECIMALps is a software platform and specification for decimal arithmetic and numeric processing. It aims to provide exact decimal precision and consistent rounding across computing environments, supporting both fixed-point and decimal-floating representations. The project defines a canonical decimal number model, a set of operations, and APIs intended for integration in financial, scientific, and data-processing applications.

Representation and types

DECIMALps specifies decimal numbers as finite digit sequences with a sign and an exponent, enabling precise control over scale and magnitude. It supports fixed-point formats for exact currency and quantity representations, as well as decimal-floating formats for dynamic range. The representation emphasizes exactness of decimal digits to avoid common binary-floating point pitfalls in financial contexts.

Operations and rounding

The platform includes arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) with explicit control over rounding and precision. It defines multiple rounding modes, such as round-to-nearest with ties to even, toward positive or negative infinity, toward zero, and custom modes. It also covers comparison, normalization, serialization, and formatting of decimal numbers for display and interchange.

Interoperability and implementation

DECIMALps is designed to interoperate with existing standards and data formats, offering bindings in multiple programming languages and encodings for JSON, XML, and binary transmission. The reference implementation is modular, comprising a core arithmetic engine, a formatting/parsing layer, and language bindings. Several independent implementations and conformance tests exist to promote compatibility.

Usage and applications

The specification targets financial software, accounting systems, auditing, data reporting, and scientific computing where exact decimal arithmetic is critical. It is intended to reduce rounding errors and improve reproducibility across platforms.

History and status

DECIMALps originated in a collaborative initiative in the mid-2020s and remains a developing concept with ongoing implementations. It is not represented as a formal standard by major standards bodies at this time.

See also

Decimal arithmetic, fixed-point arithmetic, IEEE 754-2008 decimal floating-point, decimal module.