Data Definition Language (DDL) Reference Manual

Definition Attributes
Data Definition Language (DDL) Reference Manual—529431-004
6-29
COBOL
COBOL
DDL PICTURE clauses are translated to COBOL PICTURE clauses.
For a national picture string, the DDL compiler generates COBOL output as specified
in the PICTURE clause.
The maximum field length depends on data type:
•
If an alphanumeric or national field is used only in working storage (not in a
record), the maximum field length is 32,767 bytes.
•
If an alphanumeric or national field is defined in or referenced by a RECORD
statement, the maximum field length is the maximum record length, which depends
on the file type:
The maximum length of a numeric field is 18 digits.
The symbols S and V are not counted in the 18-digit COBOL limit on numeric fields;
the symbols 9 and T are each counted as 1 digit in the 18-digit COBOL limit on
numeric fields.
The DDL symbol S is not the same as the COBOL PICTURE S:
•
In DDL, the symbol S represents a digit with a separate sign. the DDL compiler
translates the symbol S to the COBOL PICTURE S and adds a COBOL SIGN
clause with a SEPARATE phrase.
•
If S is the first symbol in a numeric picture string, the DDL compiler adds SIGN
LEADING SEPARATE.
•
If S is the last symbol in a numeric picture string, the DDL compiler adds SIGN
TRAILING SEPARATE.
For COBOL, the symbol T represents a digit that contains an embedded sign:
•
DDL translates the symbol T to PICTURE S9 and adds the COBOL SIGN clause.
•
If the T is the first character in the PICTURE string, the DDL compiler adds SIGN
LEADING.
File Type Record’s Maximum Length
Entry-sequenced 4072 bytes
Key-sequenced 4062 bytes*
Relative 4072 bytes
Unstructured 4096 bytes
* In H06.28/J06.17 RVUs with specific SPRs and later RVUs,
the supported maximum record length for a key-sequenced
file is 27648 bytes.
For a list of the required H06.28/J06.17 SPRs, see SPR
Requirements for Increased Enscribe Limits for the
H06.28/J06.17 Release.