functions in ieee.i - a

             as_chars(x)  
             as_chars, x, xnew  
 
     return the bits of X as an array of char  
     return value has leading dimension of sizeof(x(1)), otherwise  
       same dimensions as X  
     in second form, sets bits of X to char array XNEW  
interpreted function, defined at i/ieee.i   line 53