Data Definition Language (DDL) Reference Manual

Definition Attributes

Data Definition Language (DDL) Reference Manual—529431-004

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PICTURE

represents an ASCII digit, from 0 through 9.

length

is a one-digit to five-digit integer that specifies the number of times the

preceding symbol repeats.

You can omit length and specify the length by repeating the symbol

(X, A, or 9) once for each character position you want in the field.

represents a sign character in a signed numeric field.

represents a numeric character with an implied embedded sign.

Alone, the symbol T represents a one-byte numeric field.

represents an implied decimal point location in a numeric field.

national-picture-string

{ { N | n } [(length)] }

{ { N | n }... }

{ N | n }

represents a national character.

length

is a one-digit to five-digit integer that specifies the number of times the

preceding symbol repeats.

You can omit length and specify the length by repeating the symbol (N

or n) once for each character position you want in the field.

Each national character occupies two bytes.

If picture-string has two or more of the symbols X, A, and 9, the DDL compiler

assumes the data type is alphanumeric (PIC X).