Mainframe, MVS and zOS Discussion

Hi,

I want to find length of a field. Once I know that I'll pad zeroes. But I am not sure if I should this using INSPECT or with intrinsic FUNCTION LENGTH. What is the difference between the two approaches, I'm confused?

If your variable is in WORKING-STORAGE, the length does not change, ever. So FUNCTION LENGTH will only return one value no matter what data is stored in the variable. INSPECT allows you to locate the last byte of relevant data in the variable.

Can you show an example of what you are trying to do?

I've a field which migh tcome like this "$$$$$1234" or "$$$$$$234" or "$$$$$$$34" or "$$$$$$$$4" or "$$$$$$$$$", where $ represents a space and it might alos be like "1234$$$$$" etc. I need to replace $ with a zero.

Use INSPECT or reference modification.

Are you sure "1234$$$$$" replacing $ with 0 for this type is correct?
Don't you need any justification?

I'd need justifcation too. I'll try with INSPECT and reference modification.

Try FUNCTION NUMVAL