6.1.6.6 "COBOL Language Reference" IBM Library Server

6.1.6.6 Sign Condition

The sign condition determines whether or not the algebraic value of a numeric operand is greater than, less than, or equal to zero.


    ___ Format _____________________________________________________________ 
   |                                                                        |
   | >>__operand-1__ ____ __ _____ __ _POSITIVE_ ________________________>< |
   |                |_IS_|  |_NOT_|  |_NEGATIVE_|                           |
   |                                 |_ZERO_____|                           |
   |                                                                        |
   |________________________________________________________________________|

operand-1

Must be defined as a numeric identifier, or it must be defined as an arithmetic expression that contains at least one reference to a
X variable. Operand-1 can be defined as a floating-point identifier.

The operand is:

POSITIVE if its value is greater than zero
NEGATIVE if its value is less than zero
ZERO if its value is equal to zero

An unsigned operand is either POSITIVE or ZERO.

NOT

One algebraic test is executed for the truth value of the sign condition. For example, NOT ZERO is regarded as true when the operand tested is positive or negative in value.

X >_Host_> Under OS/390 and VM, if you are using the NUMPROC compiler
X option, the results of the sign condition test can be affected. For
X details, see the IBM COBOL for OS/390 & VM Programming Guide.
X <_Host_<

Subtopics:

6.1.6.6.1 Date Fields in Sign Conditions

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6.1.6.6 Sign Condition

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