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NUMCHECK

The NUMCHECK compiler option tells the compiler whether to generate extra code to validate data items when they are used as sending data items. For zoned decimal (numeric USAGE DISPLAY) and packed decimal (COMP-3) data items, the compiler generates implicit numeric class tests for each sending field. For binary data items, the compiler generates SIZE ERROR checking to see whether the data item has more digits than its PICTURE clause allows.

Start of changeThe NUMCHECK option was changed to improve performance by removing redundant checks, with PTF for APAR PH08642 installed. There may be fewer runtime messages after applying this APAR than before.End of change

Start of changeThe analysis done to remove redundant checks is more involved at OPT(1|2) than at OPT(0). OPT(0) does a simpler form of the analysis to keep compilation time as low as possible. There may be fewer messages at higher OPT levels.End of change

Start of changeWhen the compiler is able to determine at compile time that a check will always find invalid data, a compile time message is produced, and the check may be removed. (See MSG|ABD below.)End of change

NUMCHECK option syntax

Read syntax diagramSkip visual syntax diagramNONUMCHECKNUMCHECK(,ZON(ALPHNUMNOALPHNUM)NOZONPACNOPACBINNOBINMSGABD)

Default is: NONUMCHECK

Start of changeSuboption defaults are:
  • Start of changeIf no suboption is specified, defaults are ZON(ALPHNUM), PAC, BIN and MSG. For example, NUMCHECK has the same effect as NUMCHECK(ZON(ALPHNUM),PAC,BIN,MSG).End of change
  • Start of changeIf no datatype suboption is specified, default datatype suboptions are ZON(ALPHNUM), PAC, and BIN. For example, NUMCHECK(ABD) has the same effect as NUMCHECK(ZON(ALPHNUM),PAC,BIN,ABD).End of change
  • Start of changeIf only one datatype suboption is specified, defaults are NOZON, NOPAC, NOBIN, and MSG. For example, NUMCHECK(BIN) has the same effect as NUMCHECK(NOZON,NOPAC,BIN,MSG).End of change
  • Start of changeIf all datatype suboptions are specified with NO, then the listing will show NONUMCHECK. For example, NUMCHECK(NOZON,NOPAC,NOBIN) has the same effect as NONUMCHECK.End of change
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Abbreviations are: NONC | NC

Start of changeZON[(ALPHNUM|NOALPHNUM)]End of change | NOZON

Start of changeThe default is ZON(ALPHNUM) when ZON is specified with no suboptions.End of change

Specifying ZON or Start of changeZON(ALPHNUM)End of change causes the compiler to generate code for an implicit numeric class test for zoned decimal (numeric USAGE DISPLAY) data items that are used as sending data items in COBOL statements.

Start of changeSpecifying ZON(NOALPHNUM) causes the compiler to generate code for an implicit numeric class test for zoned decimal (numeric USAGE DISPLAY) data items that are used as sending data items in COBOL statements, except when they are used in a comparison with an alphanumeric data item, alphanumeric literal or alphanumeric figurative constant.End of change

Receivers are not checked, unless they are both a sender and a receiver, such as data item B in the following sample statements:

ADD A TO B
DIVIDE A INTO B
COMPUTE B = A + B
INITIALIZE B REPLACING ALPHANUMERIC BY B
This checking is done before the data is used in each statement:
  • If the data is NOT NUMERIC, either a warning message for NUMCHECK(ZON,MSG) or a terminating message for NUMCHECK(ZON,ABD) is issued.
  • If the data is NUMERIC, the external behavior of the statement is the same as NUMCHECK(NOZON), other than being slower.
PAC | NOPAC

Specifying PAC causes the compiler to generate code for an implicit numeric class test for packed decimal (COMP-3) data items that are used as sending data items in COBOL statements. Start of changeFor packed decimal data items that have an even number of digits, the unused bits are checked for ones.End of change

Restriction: Start of changeFor CALL statements, NUMCHECK(ZON) and NUMCHECK(PAC) check BY CONTENT data items that are zoned decimal or packed decimal, but they do not check BY REFERENCE parameters. (Neither zoned decimal nor packed decimal data items can be specified in a BY VALUE phrase.)End of change
BIN | NOBIN
Specifying BIN causes the compiler to generate code similar to ON SIZE ERROR to test if binary data items contents are bigger than the PICTURE clause. This extra code will be generated only for binary data items that are used as sending data items, and COMP-5 data items will not get this ON SIZE ERROR code generated.
MSG | ABD
Determines whether the message issued for invalid data is a warning level message to continue processing or a terminating level message to cause an abend:
  • If MSG is in effect, a runtime warning message with the line number, data item name, data item content, and program name is issued.
  • If ABD is in effect, a terminating message is issued that causes an abend.
Start of changeWhen the compiler is able to determine at compile time that a check will always find invalid data, a compile time message is produced:
  • If MSG is in effect, the message is a warning-level message and the check is still done at runtime.
  • If ABD is in effect, the message is an error-level message and the check is removed.
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Performance considerations: NUMCHECK is much slower than NONUMCHECK, depending on how many zoned decimal (numeric USAGE DISPLAY) data items, packed decimal (COMP-3) data items, and binary data items are used in a COBOL program.
Start of changeWith PTF for APAR PH08642 installed, performance of NUMCHECK has been improved. However, performance is still best when specifying NONUMCHECK, and will be better at a higher OPT level.End of change

Note: Start of changeZONECHECK is deprecated but is tolerated for compatibility, and it is replaced by NUMCHECK(ZON(ALPHNUM)). End of change

related references  
NUMPROC  
TRUNC  
ZONECHECK  
ZONEDATA

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