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Quick References for IBM Mainframe Programming
COBOL PICTURE CLAUSE - STRINGS

PICTURE String – Code Characters

 
Symbol
Meaning
Size (in Bytes)
9
Can hold a single Digit
1
X
Can contain any allowable character from the character set
1
A
can contain only a letter of the alphabet or a space.       
1
V
Assumed decimal point (for computational purpose)
0
P
Position of the assumed decimal point, if it lies outside
0
S
Indicate the presence of an assumed Sign (but not the Position)
0
1 (if SIGN SEPARATE)
E
Exponent of External Floating Point
1

 

PICTURE String – Editing Characters

 

Symbol
Meaning
Size (in Bytes)
B
Blank Space Insertion
1
Z
Zero Suppression by Space
1
0
Zero Insertion
1
/
Slash Insertion
1
*
Zero Suppression by Asterisk
1
,
Comma Insertion
1
.
Decimal Point Insertion (not assumed like V)
1
+ or -
Plus or Minus Sign control (can also specify the position)
1
CR or DB
Credit/Debit insertion at rightmost position
2
$
Currency Symbol
1

 

 

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