Data Definition Language (DDL) Reference Manual

Definition Attributes
Data Definition Language (DDL) Reference Manual—529431-004
6-6
EXTERNAL
In Example 6-3 on page 6-6:
•
Although the first edit picture has more characters than the elementary item, the
edit picture is valid because the extra characters leave room to display the minus
sign and currency symbol at the beginning. Also, it is valid to display fewer
characters to the right of the decimal point than the elementary item contains there.
•
The data length of the second edit picture is invalid because it has too many minus
signs. An edit picture can include 1 extra character for a minus sign, but the
number of remaining minus signs must be equal to or less than the number of
digits in the elementary item.
•
The data length of the third edit picture is valid because the length on each side of
the decimal point is less than or equal to the data length on that side in the
elementary item.
EXTERNAL
The EXTERNAL clause writes the EXTERNAL clause to COBOL source code files.
The COBOL source code files can be part of a copy library that is shared among
different program modules.
The EXTERNAL clause can be specified only on the object-name level.
If you specify the EXTERNAL clause in a definition statement, none of the line items in
the definition or the record can have a VALUE clause or a REDEFINES clause.
The EXTERNAL clause is not inheritable.
The EXTERNAL clause cannot be used in combination with the FILLER clause.
Example 6-3. EDIT-PIC Clause
Elementary item:S999V99.
Valid:-$$$$.9
Invalid:-----.99
Valid:---.99
Note. The DDL compiler ignores this clause when generating host-language source code.
EXTERNAL