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COMP and USAGE COMP in COBOL.
Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2015 12:20 pm
by RMaria
Hi,
I have seen these two declaration of COMP. What is the difference between the following two codes :
Code: Select all
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,
Re: COMP and USAGE COMP in COBOL.
Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2015 2:44 pm
by enrico-sorichetti
just a few days ago I went to the ophthalmologist for a checkup
Code: Select all
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
Re: COMP and USAGE COMP in COBOL.
Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2015 3:25 pm
by 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.
Re: COMP and USAGE COMP in COBOL.
Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2015 3:56 pm
by 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.