What is the use of comp-3 variables in COBOL?
COBOL Comp-3 is a binary field type that puts (“packs”) two digits into each byte, using a notation called Binary Coded Decimal, or BCD. This halves the storage requirements compared to a character, or COBOL “display”, field.
What is the difference between Comp and Comp-3 usage?
Comp is a binary usage, while comp-3 indicates packed decimal. The other common usages are binary and display. IBM Mainframes are typically binary and AS400’s are packed. ‘
What is usage comp in COBOL?
COMP COMP-1 COMP-2 COMP-3 COMP:Normally, a computer can store data in more than one internal form. In COBOL, a programmer is allowed to specify the internal form of the data item so as to facilitate its use in the most efficient manner. In COMP usage Data is stored as Pure Binary format internally.
Can COBOL display Comp variable 3?
In the below file, the last 2 Bytes are COMP-3 Data. You read the Hexa-decimal value in a top-down fashion. 3. You may also DISPLAY this in COBOL, by first MOVE’ing the data to a Numeric-Edited DISPLAY Format Variable.
Can Comp-3 be converted to numeric?
You cannot move a COMP-3 variable to alphanumeric directly. It will not give a SOC7 error but will you give you a return code 12 stating that comp-3 and alphanumeric variables did not follow the move compatibility rule.
How is Comp-3 calculated?
To calculate the byte-length of a comp-3 field, start with the total number of digits and divide by 2 giving a result (discarding the remainder if any), then add 1 to the result. So, a field with “pic s9(6) comp-3” would take 4 bytes (6/2 +1).
Can we redefine Comp-3 Variable?
There is no way to use only redefines and get what you want. . . To get what you want, create a 9(13) field in ws and move EMP-NBR-1 to it. Redefine the 9(13) field with 2 other fields – the first 9(10) and the second 9(3).
Is COMP or COMP 3 better?
The best choice is Packed-Decimal (COMP-3) and a Sign (S9). Regarding space Packed-Decimal is more effective, as the data is stored as decimal data, one decimal digit in one half byte, as Binary uses one byte oer digit.
How is Comp 3 stored?
COMP-3 is the equivalent of PACKED-DECIMAL. COMP-3 can have a value not exceeding 18 decimal digits. COMP-3 data stored in memory higher to lower in the size of nibble (4 bits). i.e. The upper nibble stores the most significant digit and lower nibble stores the next digit and the upper nibble stores the next digit etc.
How many bytes does Comp-3 occupy?
S9(7) COMP-3 will take 4 bytes of storage This is the preferred way as it is clear to anyone what was intended.
Are there any comp-3 packed fields in COBOL?
Comp-3 is a common data type, even outside of COBOL, and is fairly standard across platforms — that is, it is not dependent upon the operating system, language, or CPU, as the COBOL “comp” is. (See COBOL Computational Fields for information on the comp data type). However, comp-3 is not commonly found in PC languages.
What does nybble stand for in COBOL comp-3?
“C” hex is positive, “D” hex is negative, and “F” hex is unsigned. In COBOL comp-3 fields (and in most other languages) this nybble is reserved for the sign whether or not the field is denoted as a signed field in the COBOL PIC.
Which is a common data type in COBOL?
Comp-3 is a common data type, even outside of COBOL, and is fairly standard across platforms — that is, it is not dependent upon the operating system, language, or CPU, as the COBOL “comp” is.
What does packed decimal format mean in COBOL?
Packed-decimal format means that each byte of storage (except for the low order byte) can contain two decimal numbers. The low-order byte contains one digit in the leftmost portion and the sign (positive or negative) in the rightmost portion. “Zoned decimal format” in the image below is the default storage for a number in COBOL.
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