1. A method for converting a number in a binary representation, having a plurality of bits, to a textual representation while preserving numeric precision and sort order, the method comprising the steps of: determining the type of the number; in response to a determination that the number is an integer type, performing the steps of: inverting an integer sign bit, and converting the integer type number from the binary representation to a hexadecimal representation; in response to a determination that the number is a floating point type, performing the steps of: determining whether the floating point type number is positive, in response to a determination that the floating point type number is positive, performing the steps of: inverting a sign bit, and converting the floating point type number from the binary representation to a hexadecimal representation, in response to a determination that the floating point type number is not positive, performing the steps of: inverting each of the plurality of bits, and converting the floating point type number from the binary representation to the hexadecimal representation; and in response to a determination that the number is a decimal type, performing the steps of: determining whether the decimal type number is positive, in response to a determination that the decimal type number is positive, performing the steps of: inverting the integer sign bit, converting the decimal type number from the binary representation to a decimal representation having a plurality of digits, and inverting each of the plurality of digits, in response to a determination that the decimal type number is not positive, performing the steps of: inverting the sign bit, and converting the decimal type number from the binary representation to a decimal representation having a plurality of digits.