2 files changed, 13 insertions, 13 deletions
diff --git a/bigint.cpp b/bigint.cpp
index 0827e1e..1f71cf9 100644
--- a/bigint.cpp
+++ b/bigint.cpp
@@ -523,28 +523,27 @@ bool Bigint::odd() const {
 	return !even();
 }
 
-vector<char> Bigint::serialise() const {
-	vector<char> v(1+digits.size()*sizeof(digit_t));
-	v[0]=sign;
+string Bigint::serialiseMantissa() const {
+	string s;
+	s.resize(digits.size()*sizeof(digit_t));
 	int sz=digits.size();
 	for(int i=0;i<sz;i++){
 		for(int j=0;j<(int)sizeof(digit_t);j++){
-			v[1+i*sizeof(digit_t)+j]=(digits[i]>>(8*j))&255;
+			s[i*sizeof(digit_t)+j]=(digits[i]>>(8*j))&255;
 		}
 	}
-	return v;
+	return s;
 }
 
-void Bigint::deserialise(const vector<char> &v){
-	assert(v.size()%4==1);
-	sign=(int)v[0];
-	assert(sign==1||sign==-1);
-	int sz=v.size()/4;
+void Bigint::deserialiseMantissa(const string &s){
+	assert(s.size()%4==0);
+	sign=1;
+	int sz=s.size()/4;
 	digits.resize(sz);
 	for(int i=0;i<sz;i++){
 		digits[i]=0;
 		for(int j=0;j<(int)sizeof(digit_t);j++){
-			digits[i]|=v[1+i*sizeof(digit_t)+j]<<(8*j);
+			digits[i]|=s[i*sizeof(digit_t)+j]<<(8*j);
 		}
 	}
 	shrink();
diff --git a/bigint.h b/bigint.h
index f5f3f17..24f0945 100644
--- a/bigint.h
+++ b/bigint.h
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #pragma once
 
 #include <iostream>
+#include <string>
 #include <vector>
 #include <utility>
 #include <cstdint>
@@ -86,8 +87,8 @@ public:
 	bool even() const;
 	bool odd() const;
 
-	std::vector<char> serialise() const;
-	void deserialise(const std::vector<char>&);
+	std::string serialiseMantissa() const; //stores everything but the sign
+	void deserialiseMantissa(const std::string&); //restores non-negative number
 	std::vector<bool> bits() const;
 
 	friend std::istream& operator>>(std::istream&,Bigint&);