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[Meg]

Hi All,
Would like to know if the packed number declared in an easytrive program takes sign to be default.
To make it clear, a variable declared in cobol as 9(1) comp-3 will be declared in an easytrieve program as
VAR1 01 01 P
Does VAR1 have a signed bit as default and does it mean VAR1 is equivalent to S9(1) comp-3?

Also, it looks like when we do a move in easytrieve, say,
MOVE VAR1 to VAR2 where VAR1 and VAR2 are packed variables and VAR2 is equal to 1, the HEX value of VAR1 is 1C while when we say,
VAR1 = VAR2 and VAR2 is 1
VAR1 has a hex value of 1F.
Can anyone let me know why this is happening?
Thanks,
Megana

[kolusu]

Megana,

If you specify a numeric field with decimal positions (0 to 18 ), it is considered to be a signed (quantitative) field..If you specify a numeric field with no decimal positions, that field is considered to be unsigned (non-quantitative)

An unsigned packed decimal field (U format) is always unsigned. When you manipulate the field, an F sign is supplied.

Hope this helps...

Cheers

Kolusu
_________________
Kolusu
www.linkedin.com/in/kolusu

[Meg]

Hi Kolusu,

[kolusu]

Meghana,

Manipulation meant when you do a calculation(addition , subtraction...) . This is different from a Move.

When you say VAR1 = VAR2 the compiler interprets as if you are manipulating the data(addition of var2 with zero) and provides the 'F' sign.

But when you say move var2 to var1 then you are overlaying the contents of var2 onto var1.

[Meg]

Thanks Kolusu, I got it finally.