Requirement change in storing comp -3 S9(18) to S9(20)

Sudeshna Sarkar · New User Joined: 11 Sep 2008 Posts: 29 Location: Kolkata

Hi,

I was asked a question as to, a COMP-3 variable stores 18 digits using 10 bytes , i.e. S9(18).

Now the requirement changes and I am supposed to store S9(20), consider there is an increment in the length of the field. In this case what are the changes that I need to make? Rather, which storage will be best for S9(20)?

I had absolutely no idea, I have also searched across forums, but could not get any answer. Any help is appreiciated!

TIA..

dick scherrer · Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 1:46 am

Hello,

At the top of the page is a link to "IBM Manuals". The top set is for COBOL.

Suggest you look at the Language Reference for your version of cobol and read about numeric fields and their capacity. If you find something in the documentation that is not clear, post what you found and your doubt. Someone here will be able to clarify.

Sudeshna Sarkar · New User Joined: 11 Sep 2008 Posts: 29 Location: Kolkata

From what I have read and understood till now, is that the COMP usages can handle fields with size till S9(18), that is COMP-3 can store max 18 digits using 10 bytes.

After this if we have more digits like S9(20), then I think we better not use COMP-3 or any other COMP any more, just go for simple numeric declaration.

Please correct me if I am wrong!

Terry Heinze · Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 12:06 am

Pay particular attention to the ARITH(EXTEND) compiler option in the USAGE clause section of the manual.

Bill O'Boyle · Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 12:09 am

What version/release of COBOL are you using?

If you're not sure, does your compiler support option ARITH(EXTEND)?

Note for 9(18) COMP-3, the high-order 4-bit nibble of the first byte is not addressable.

Bill

sun_job · New User Joined: 18 Sep 2007 Posts: 73 Location: Bangalore

Hi,

COMP-3 can store upto S9(31), ie 15 bytes , if compiler option ARITH(EXTEND) is enabled.

Sun

Terry Heinze · Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 5:35 pm

Don't you mean 16 bytes?

Sudeshna Sarkar · New User Joined: 11 Sep 2008 Posts: 29 Location: Kolkata

Hi,

@ Bill: Sorry for the delayed reply. Yes well in our ZOS, we are hosting both COBOL 85 as we as Enterprise COBOL.

As I read from the manuals, the option ARITH(EXTEND) thereby supporting more than 18 digits of storage of COMP-3 variables, is permissible only on Enterprise COBOL.

So ideally for storing data of more capacity, Enterprise COBOL must be used and moreover system must support compiler option ARITH(EXTEND). Will try this out soon and let you know my results.

Thanks again.

dick scherrer · Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 12:36 pm

Hello,