Delphi in a Nutshell

Name

Comp Type

Syntax

type Comp;

Description

The Comp type is a 64-bit signed integer type that uses the floating-point processor. The Comp type exists only for backward compatibility. New programs should use Int64 instead. The Int64 type is a true integer type and allows bitwise and shift operations, supports the full range of the 64-bit type, and is not dependent on the floating-point control word.

Tips and Tricks

• To use the full 64-bit precision of the Comp type, the floating-point control word must be set to extended precision. Some Microsoft and other DLLs change the floating-point control word to double or single precision, thereby reducing the Comp type to 53 or fewer bits.

• Delphi’s I/O and the formatting routines in the SysUtils unit do not support the full range of the Comp type. Values near the limits of the Comp type are printed with less precision than is actually stored in the Comp variable. Most applications will not encounter this limitation.

See Also

CompToCurrency Function, CompToDouble Function, CurrencyToComp Procedure, DoubleToComp Procedure, Extended Type, Int64 Type