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help_me · Beginner Joined: 03 Oct 2003 Posts: 11 Topics: 4

Hi,
Is there any way to Find out the Length of a Variable Declared as PIC X(200) But has only say "COBOL" and If Use the Length Function, It gives me as 200 only Not Trimming the Spaces.

I know there are certain Functions to achieve the same in Higher Versions of COBOL. But If I use the Function REVERSE, my COBOL COmpiler is Not recognizing the Functions and is failing in the Compiler stage giving Syntax Errors.

Is there any other way of Finding the Length without Parsing for the Variable Until for SPACES.

Can we use INSPECT Verb for the same. Please let me know
Thank you.

slade · Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2003 11:55 pm Post subject:

Hi HM,

There are various ways to do what you want, but it's good to know the compiler version/environment you're working with and What you intend to do with the length of the char string within the variable.

Once you do that, you'll have your answer in no time (almost). Smile

regards, Jack.

kolusu · Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2003 5:34 am Post subject:

help_me,

The simplest way is to scan the string backwards using perform and find out the length of the string.

Oldie · Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 7:46 am Post subject:

You can use the

FUNCTION LENGTH (argument)

where argument may be a non-numeric literal or a data item of any class
or category except DBCS.

If the argument (or any data item subordinate to the argument) is
defined with the OCCURS clause DEPENDING ON phrase, then the length of
the specified argument is based on the value of the object of the
DEPENDING ON phrase at the time the LENGTH function is evaluated.

As an example of the LENGTH function:

FUNCTION LENGTH('ABC')

would return a value of 3.

Cheers
Oldie