in reply to NaN output

Are you sure that you are not encountering an endian problem? For example, the 4 byte value 0x7ff00000, decoded as a big-endian float produces a valid number:

print unpack 'f>', pack 'V', 0x7ff00000;;
8.6273742553086e-041

[download]

But treated as a little-endian value it produces NaN:

print unpack 'f<', pack 'V', 0x7ff00000;;
1.#QNAN

[download]

Just a thought.

With the rise and rise of 'Social' network sites: 'Computers are making people easier to use everyday'
Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.
"Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority".
In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.

In Section Seekers of Perl Wisdom