Pathway/iTS SCREEN COBOL Reference Manual (G06.24+, H06.03+, Pathway/iTS 1.0+)

Data Division
Compaq NonStop™ Pathway/iTS SCREEN COBOL Reference Manual—426750-001
5-49
Field-Characteristic Clauses
Item Size
The size of a data item is determined by the symbols of its PICTURE string. The
character-string symbols DB and CR each count as two character positions. Symbols V
and P do not count as character positions. All others count as one character position.
PROMPT Clause
The PROMPT clause associates a named screen item for output with a screen field for
input. During the processing of an ACCEPT statement, the contents of a named screen
item can be displayed (to assist the terminal operator) before the screen input is read.
The PROMPT clause is valid only for terminals operating in conversational mode.
screen-field
is the name of a previously defined screen field. The contents of screen-field
can be described in the Screen Section with a VALUE clause or in a Working-
Storage data item and output with a FROM clause. The contents of
. 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.
DB Represents two positions that must contain the characters DB or spaces. These
symbols are replaced by spaces during editing if the value is not negative.
* Represents a position that must be a digit or an asterisk. If the position is a digit,
the digit must be to the left of all asterisks.
$ Represents a position where a currency symbol must appear. Multiple currency
symbols represent positions that must contain some number of digits preceded by
a currency symbol, preceded by spaces. The symbol is replaced by a space
during editing only when it is one of a set of multiple currency symbols.
PROMPT screen-field
Table 5-5. Screen Description Entry PICTURE Character-String
Symbols (page 2 of 2)
Symbol Meaning