private static int compareSigned(long a, long b)
    {
        return (a < b) ? -1 : ((a > b) ? 1 : 0);
    }
Compares the two specified {@code long} values. The sign of the value returned is the same as that of
{@code ((Long) a).compareTo(b)}.

<p>
<b>Note for Java 7 and later:</b> this method should be treated as deprecated; use the equivalent
{@link Long#compare} method instead.

@param a
           the first {@code long} to compare
@param b
           the second {@code long} to compare
@return a negative value if {@code a} is less than {@code b}; a positive value if {@code a} is greater than
        {@code b}; or zero if they are equal
protostuff-api/src/main/java/io/protostuff/UnsignedNumberUtil.java