Error detection using parity compensation in binary coded decimal and densely packed decimal conversions

A system for performing error detection, the system comprising:

• a converter receiving formatted decimal data in a first format, and converting the received data into a second format, the formatted decimal data consisting of any one of a densely packed decimal (DPD) format data or a binary coded decimal (BCD) format data, and the second format being a format other than the first format;
• a parity generator connected to the converter, the parity generator receiving the data in the second format, and generating one or more first parity bits by determining the parity of the data in the second format;
• a parity bit mechanism receiving the data in the first format and generating one or more second parity bits directly from the data in the first format;
• and
• a comparator connected to the parity bit generator and the parity bit mechanism, the comparator comparing the first parity bits and the second parity bits, and setting an error flag to indicate an error in the data in the second format in response to the first parity bits not being equal to the second parity bits.

A method for performing error detection, the method comprising:

• receiving formatted decimal data in a first format, the formatted decimal data consisting of any one of a densely packed decimal (DPD) format data or a binary coded decimal (BCD) format data;
• generating one or more first parity bits, the generating comprising converting the received data into a second format of the formatted decimal data, the second format being a format other than the first format, and determining parity of the data in the second format;
• generating one or more second parity bits directly from the received data in the first format;
• comparing the first parity bits to the second parity bits;
• and
• setting an error flag to indicate an error in the data in the second format in response to the first parity bits not being equal to the second parity bits.