MVSFORUMS.com

vini

WORKING STORAGE

10 WSH-DATASET-NAME.
20 WSH-HLL PIC X(04) VALUE ''XXXX'.
20 FILLER PIC X(01) VALUE '.'.
......

WSH-HLL is giving compile error owing to the quotation mark inside the string constant .

Does anyone know of an acceptable way in COBOL to define a quote inside a constant ?

vini · Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 7:24 pm Post subject:

WSH-HLL has been defined of length 5 and not 4..despite that the compile error message is 'UNTERMINATED STRING CONSTANT '. I understand this is not acceptable to the compiler for valid reasons but was wondering if there is an alternate way out..when there is a need to use these special characters.

kolusu · Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 8:21 pm Post subject:

vini,

try enclosing in double quotes.

dbzTHEdinosauer · Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 8:26 pm Post subject:

since your constant is x type; define your constant as a group item. Use elementary items to define your constant. Those parts of the constant that are alpha (or num) char put in one (or more elementary items) and those parts that are special char ('",;.) define as hex.

e.g. constant is: A;BCD.'"8

vini · Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 1:13 am Post subject:

kolusu,
I will try that solution , not sure if that will work though.

Dick,
Where can I find the hex equivalents for the special characters ? Specifically I need for . and '. Your example is bit confusing in this regard.

Thanks
Vini

shekar123 · Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 1:20 am Post subject:

Vini,

Check this link and go down for the two links below and see if it can be helpful for you:

http://publibz.boulder.ibm.com/cgi-bin/bookmgr_OS390/BOOKS/IGY3LR10/APPENDIX1.3?DT=20020920180651
_________________
Shekar
Grow Technically

Cogito-Ergo-Sum · Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 5:57 am Post subject:

Vini,
You might also be interested in the figurative constant, QUOTE.
_________________
ALL opinions are welcome.

Debugging tip:
When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.
-- Sherlock Holmes.

vini · Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 2:33 pm Post subject:

Cogito, Just what I needed to know .. makes it simple!! Very Happy

Thanks

Cogito-Ergo-Sum · Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 11:57 pm Post subject:

You are welcome !
_________________
ALL opinions are welcome.

Debugging tip:
When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.
-- Sherlock Holmes.