DISPLAY phrase

The data item is stored in character form, one character for each 8-bit byte. This corresponds to the format used for printed output. DISPLAY can be explicit or implicit.

USAGE IS DISPLAY is valid for the following types of items:

  • Alphabetic
  • Alphanumeric
  • Alphanumeric-edited
  • Numeric-edited
  • External floating-point
  • External decimal

Alphabetic, alphanumeric, alphanumeric-edited, and numeric-edited items are discussed in Data categories and PICTURE rules.

External decimal items with USAGE DISPLAY are sometimes referred to as zoned decimal items. Each digit of a number is represented by a single byte. The 4 high-order bits of each byte are zone bits; the 4 high-order bits of the low-order byte represent the sign of the item. The 4 low-order bits of each byte contain the value of the digit.

If the ARITH(COMPAT) compiler option is in effect, then the maximum length of an external decimal item is 18 digits. If the ARITH(EXTEND) compiler option is in effect, then the maximum length of an external decimal item is 31 digits.

The PICTURE character-string of an external decimal item can contain only:
  • One or more of the symbol 9
  • The operational-sign, S
  • The assumed decimal point, V
  • One or more of the symbol P