When the conffiles are set, the format used by slp (a colon-delimited list) is turned into the real list that is used internally. The list is changed back into slp's internal format when it is retreived.
When the copyright is set, the number used by slp is changed into a textual description. This is changed back into a number when the value is retreived.
When the arch is set, the number used by slp is changed into a textual description. This is changed back into a number when the value is retreived.
When the release version is retreived, it is converted to an unsigned integer, as is required by the slp package format.