DMNFTF — BigDecimal is not the only mapping of number to Java

Clause 10.3.2.9 shows FEEL number values as mapped to XML decimal, integer, and double, but the only mapping to Java is to BigDecimal. The appropriate mapping to Java, like the appropriate mapping to XML, depends on the range and intent of the data element. BigDecimal is rarely used for anything but currency. Java int and double are much more likely to be appropriate for most data items. The mapping of number to Java should be just as flexible as the mapping to XML and PMML.

The FTF recognizes that the choice of BigDecimal may not be ideal for many Java functions, but it can support any required values. The alternative is to allow more user control of the mapping of FEEL datatypes to programming languages. This would involve creation of additional capabilities for external functions that will be better addressed after there is significant user and implementation experience. Therefore the FTF prefers to defer this issue.