[PD] passing integers

[Orm Finnendahl]

Hi,

I'm trying to use integers in pd externals, but found out, there is no
such type. Therefor it seems to be impossible to deal with big integer
numbers (ca. 2 ^ 20 and above). Since I'm using them for masking
purposes, the numbers have to be transmitted correctly between objects
and I would like to use at least 32-bit precision

My question:

1. Is it possible to have integer inlets in externals?

2. How could a message preserve the precise value of the integer 
   (I found out, typing a big integer in a message box and
   closing/reopening the patch results in a cast to a real number with
   7 in radix 10 notation)?

3. If all this fails: How exact can a float represent an integer
   number (up to which value would the following function print
   "equal")?

void myclass_float (t_myclass *x, t_floatarg f)
{
   int   i;

   i = f;

   if (i == f)
     post("equal");
   else
     post("not equal");
}


Thanx in advance,

Orm