Problems with auto data transform when modifying column INT to INT8.

I am modifying a column type from INT to INT8 the server obviously calls some conversion function and sets the new INT8 type to reflect the same value. HOWEVER my inteded use for INT was to store 32 bit values (interpreted by my processes as unsigned). My intended use for INT8 is the same only 64 bits. Unfortunately this modification (and conversion) does not maintain the bit pattern and interpreted unsigned value. eg: INT = -1 ( 0xFFFFFFFF ) INT8 still = -1 but I suspect one of two kinds of content either: data[1] 0x00000000 data[0] 0x00000001 sign = -1 ( if sign means the sign of the bits' absolute value ) OR data[1] 0xFFFFFFFF data[0] 0xFFFFFFFF sign = -1 ( if sign means 'this is how I would like the user (some program / dbaccess / etc ) to interpret (in 2s comp)' ) BUT........... ( I think ) The bit pattern certainly wonte be data[1] 0x00000000 data[0] 0xFFFFFFFF sign = 1 Is there a way, when I do my modify, that I can get informix to treat the old value in the INT as an unsigned 32 bit number and set the new type INT8 accordingly ? Andrew H sending to informix-list