typeof(decimal).IsPrimitive == False Bug or Feature?

[Carl Rosenberger]

Hi all,

I find it quite surprising that the System.Decimal Type
is not a primitive data type.

Is this on purpose?
Why?

Kind regards,
Carl
--
Carl Rosenberger
db4o - database for objects - http://www.db4o.com

[Jon Skeet [C# MVP]]

Carl Rosenberger <ca**@db4o.com> wrote:

I find it quite surprising that the System.Decimal Type
is not a primitive data type.

Is this on purpose?
Absolutely.
Why?

Because it's not a primitive type. From Type.IsPrimitive:

"The primitive types are Boolean, Byte, SByte, Int16, UInt16, Int32,
UInt32, Int64, UInt64, Char, Double, and Single."

The CLR doesn't need to have any intrinsic knowledge about the decimal
type - it treats it just as another value type which happens to have
overloaded operators. There are no IL instructions to operate directly
on decimals, for instance.

--
Jon Skeet - <sk***@pobox.com>
http://www.pobox.com/~skeet
If replying to the group, please do not mail me too

[Nicholas Paldino [.NET/C# MVP]]

Carl,

I would think that it is because it can be reduced into other, smaller
parts. From the description, the Decimal structure really is made up of
other primitive types, so I can see why IsPrimitive would return false.

Hope this helps.
--
- Nicholas Paldino [.NET/C# MVP]
- mv*@spam.guard.caspershouse.com

"Carl Rosenberger" <ca**@db4o.com> wrote in message
news:bq*************@news.t-online.com...

Hi all,

I find it quite surprising that the System.Decimal Type
is not a primitive data type.

Is this on purpose?
Why?

Kind regards,
Carl
--
Carl Rosenberger
db4o - database for objects - http://www.db4o.com