Perl in a Nutshell, 2nd Edition

Math::BigInt::Calc

Supports big integer calculations. Math::BigInt::Calc allows you to use library modules for core math routines. This module is shipped with the Perl 5.8 source kit.

If you’ve written a module that uses the same API as Math::BigInt, you can use Math::BigInt::Calc as follows:

use Math::BigInt lib => 'yourlibname';
use Math::BigInt lib => 'Math::BigInt::yourlibname';

Math::BigInt exports the following functions, which must be defined in your module so Math::BigInt can support it:

_new( string )

Returns a reference to new object from reference to decimal string.

_zero()

Returns a new object with value 0.

_one()

Returns a new object with value 1.

_str( obj )

Returns a reference to a string representing the object.

_num( obj )

Returns a Perl integer or floating-point number. This may not necessarily be accurate, depending on machine-dependent, floating-point size limitations.

_add( obj , obj )

Allows simple addition of two objects.

_mul( obj , obj )

Allows multiplication of two objects.

_div( obj , obj )

Implements division of the first object by the second. In a list context, div() returns result, remainder.

_sub( obj , obj )

Implements simple subtraction of one object from another. A third, optional parameter indicates that the parameters are swapped.

_dec( obj )

Decrements object by one.

_inc( obj )

Increments object by one.

_acmp( obj , obj )

The <=> operator for objects, which returns -1, 0, or 1.

_len( obj )

Returns count of the decimal digits of the object.

_digit( obj , n )

Returns the