COMP and USAGE COMP in COBOL.

[RMaria]

Hi,

I have seen these two declaration of COMP. What is the difference between the following two codes :

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05 WS-VAR-A     PIC S9(9) USAGE COMP
05 WS-VAR-B     PIC S9(9) USAGE COMP 

Will they behave differently. If they behave differently what kind of can I use in my COBOL program to check it.


Thanks,

[enrico-sorichetti]

just a few days ago I went to the ophthalmologist for a checkup

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05 WS-VAR-A     PIC S9(9) USAGE COMP
05 WS-VAR-B     PIC S9(9) USAGE COMP

so I am pretty sure that the only difference between the two declarations is just the variable name

[nicc]

But...assuming a typo (which can be avoided by: a) cutting and pasting, b) proof-reading) the answer can be found using the old-fashioned method of...reading the manual.

[William Collins]

Guessing, there is no difference between a field defined with USAGE COMP and with just COMP. The word USAGE is entirely optional.

Personally, I don't use it for data defined COMPUTATIONAL of some type, or with PICture clauses, but do use it for INDEX, POINTER etc.