5.3.11.8 "COBOL Language Reference" IBM Library Server

5.3.11.8 Floating Insertion Editing

This type of editing is valid only for numeric-edited items.

The following symbols are used:

cs + -

Within one PICTURE character-string, these symbols are mutually exclusive as floating insertion characters.

Floating insertion editing is specified by using a string of at least two of the allowable floating insertion symbols to represent leftmost character positions into which these actual characters can be inserted.

The leftmost floating insertion symbol in the character-string represents the leftmost limit at which this actual character can appear in the data item. The rightmost floating insertion symbol represents the rightmost limit at which this actual character can appear.

The second leftmost floating insertion symbol in the character-string represents the leftmost limit at which numeric data can appear within the data item. Nonzero numeric data may replace all characters at or to the right of this limit.

Any simple-insertion symbols (B 0 / ,) within or to the immediate right of the string of floating insertion symbols are considered part of the floating character-string. If the period (.) special-insertion symbol is included within the floating string, it is considered to be part of the character-string.

To avoid truncation, the minimum size of the PICTURE character-string must be:

The number of character positions in the sending item, plus
The number of nonfloating insertion symbols in the receiving item, plus
One character for the floating insertion symbol.

Subtopics:

5.3.11.8.1 Representing Floating Insertion Editing

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5.3.11.8 Floating Insertion Editing

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