SSIS: DT_NUMERIC is unsigned int with a "separate sign". Is it signed or not?

Question

Here are two slightly different definitions of DT_NUMERIC from msdn

An exact numeric value with a fixed precision and scale. This data type is a 16-byte unsigned integer with a separate sign, a scale of 0 - 38, and a maximum precision of 38.

An exact numeric value with a fixed precision and scale. This data type is a 16-byte value with a separate sign, a scale of 0 to 38, and a maximum precision of 38.

What does separate sign mean?
Is it signed or not?
If it is not signed, how to indicate it is with this 'separate sign'?

Answer 1

DT_NUMERIC is SIGNED. You're right, the definition of "separate sign" is not very clear! But you can put a signed integer in such a field and it will work.