Flowcode Support Board

Hi
I have noticed a problem with the ToString$ function, I am using an ULong variable, which I am using as a counter. Every Thing works fine until you get to a 10 digit number ,when yo get to a number which is 10 digits in length you no longer get the correct string displayed. Instead you get a minus number which is the difference between the maximum ULong number of 429467295 and the number you are converting.
I have uploaded two programs, one with a 9 digit number which works correctly, and one with a 10 digit number which illustrates the problem.
This problem exists both in Hardware and Simulation.
Is there a solution to this problem?

Many Thanks.

Generally, variable overflow is something to be aware of with embedded projects, and you will get similar issues with any integer datatypes you use. For example, if you have a BYTE data type which has the value 255, then adding 1 to it will make it become zero and not 256. Other integer data types have similar issues.

You could use a floating point variable if your values are very large, but this is usually unnecessary and could affect program speed and size.

The attached shows a way to work around your specific issue. If the number is larger that the largest "Long" type, then creating a string involves a few extra steps.

For the conversion from a string to an int, if the string is 10 characters long then it is split into 2 separate strings. It is assumed the string is all decimals (i.e. no leading or training spaces and no decimal point).

Hi Steve
Thanks for you quick response, much appreciated. I have tried your updated program, which works but not 100%. If I set the Counter to an initial value of 3000000000 then the String becomes 3 Counter value of 3000000011 String becomes 311, the zeros are missing.
Is there a way to fix this problem.

Many Thanks

Oops. Need to use Int2FormattedString to ensure the second part of the string has leading zeros. See attached.

Thanks Steve
That works fine I will add your solution into my project.

Thanks.

Hi Steve

I have tried to program a BL0080 board with your updated program, but it will not compile due to error message.
Please see below.

C:\Users\user\Downloads>REM DIR: FCD\PIC\batch\pic_xc8_comp.bat

C:\Users\user\Downloads>"C:\Program Files (x86)\Flowcode\Compilers\picV2\\bin\xc8-cc.exe" -mcpu=16F18877 "ULongNumber_ToString_ST (6).c" -w=359,1273,1388 -fno-short-float -fno-short-double -std=c90 -Os
ULongNumber_ToString_ST (6).c135: error: (182) illegal conversion between types
void -> pointer to unsigned char
ULongNumber_ToString_ST (6).c135: error: (181) non-scalar types can't be converted to other types
(908) exit status = 1

Error returned from [xc8.exe]

Hope you can help.

Thanks.

Hello,

This is subtely different and should compile correctly for you now. I just broke one of the calculations up into a few more steps using an intermediate variable.

Hi Ben

Thanks for your help, all working fine now.

Hi
I failed to notice yesterday, that when the program was running on my H/W BL0080 Board, the String is not correct.

If Counter = 4200000001
The String = 4000049665

All works fine when simulated, but is failing to work on H/W. Any ideas to why this is happening?

Thanks