Pathway/iTS SCREEN COBOL Reference Manual (H06.10+, J06.03+)

Data Division
HP NonStop Pathway/iTS SCREEN COBOL Reference Manual—426750-003
5-49
Field-Characteristic Clauses
P Indicates an implicit decimal position (with value zero) to be used in aligning the
decimal point in the numeric result. See the description of the V symbol for
cautions.
V Indicates the decimal point location in a numeric item in which the terminal
operator will not enter an explicit decimal point. The alignment takes place from
the last character entered in the field. Use this symbol with care because the
variable length nature of data entered could cause unintended alignments to
occur. To avoid alignment problems, you should use the LENGTH clause to
require full length entry whenever you use a picture with implicit decimal places
and potentially absent positions (for example, positions defined with the Z
symbol).
X Represents a character position that can have any character from the ASCII
character set.
Z Represents a position that must be a digit or must be a space if no digits appear
to the left of the symbol. The symbol is replaced by a space during editing only
when it is one of a set of multiple Z symbols. A space is equivalent to a zero for
purposes of conversion.
9 Represents a character position that must be a digit.
0 Represents a character position where a zero must appear. The zero is deleted
during conversion into the associated data item.
/ Represents a character position where a right slant must appear. The / is
deleted during conversion into the associated data item.
, Represents a character position where a comma must appear if any digits
appear to the left of it. If no digits appear to the left of the symbol, the character
must be a space (or other floating insertion character). The comma is deleted
during conversion into the associated data item.
. Represents a character position where a period must appear and indicates
decimal point alignment. The period is deleted during conversion into the
associated data item.
+ Represents a position where either a plus or a minus sign must appear. Multiple
plus signs represent positions that must contain some number of digits preceded
by a single plus sign or a single minus sign, preceded by spaces. The symbol is
replaced by a space during editing only when it is one of a set of multiple plus
signs.
- Represents a position where either a space or a minus sign must appear.
Multiple minus signs represent positions that must contain some number of digits
preceded by an optional minus sign, preceded by spaces. The symbol is
replaced by a space during editing only when it is one of a set of multiple minus
signs.
CR Represents positions that must contain the characters CR or spaces. These
symbols are replaced by spaces during editing if the value is not negative.
Table 5-5. Screen Description Entry PICTURE Character-String
Symbols (page2of3)
Symbol Meaning