5.1.6.8 "COBOL Language Reference" IBM Library Server

5.1.6.8 Character-String and Item Size

In your program, the size of an elementary item is determined through the number of character positions specified in its PICTURE character-string. In storage, however, the size is determined by the actual number of bytes the item occupies, as determined by the combination of its PICTURE character-string and its USAGE clause.

X For internal floating-point items, the size of the item in storage is
X determined by its USAGE clause. USAGE COMPUTATIONAL-1 reserves 4 bytes of
X storage for the item; USAGE COMPUTATIONAL-2 reserves 8 bytes of storage.

Normally, when an arithmetic item is moved from a longer field into a shorter one, the compiler truncates the data to the number of characters represented in the shorter item's PICTURE character-string.

For example, if a sending field with PICTURE S99999, and containing the value +12345, is moved to a BINARY receiving field with PICTURE S99, the data is truncated to +45. For additional information see "USAGE Clause" in topic 5.3.16.

X The TRUNC compiler option can affect the value of a binary numeric item.
X For information on TRUNC, see the IBM COBOL Programming Guide for your
X platform.

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5.1.6.8 Character-String and Item Size

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