How to print decimal points in cobol?

Question

I want the data to be in decimal format in the spool. How can I print the data with decimal points. I have used

Pic 99v99

for my data-definition, but it is not showing a decimal-point in the result when I DISPLAY it.

12.34 for the value of my data is displayed as 1234

Mechanical

next time you are around, don't forget to accept @petit.t's answer. – Clyburn

Answer 1

The V in 99V99 is just an "invisible" decimal-point that sets the correct alignment for any fixed-point-operations. It has the advantage that it doesn't take up any additional memory. If you want a comma that is displayed use a PIC-clause like 99.99 which will

• take up one more byte
• only work with USAGE DISPLAY, not on COMP-fields

Note: When using DECIMAL-POINT IS COMMA you have to change the PIC-clause accordingly to: PIC 99,99

Incorporated

I think PIC 99.99 will work with unsigned COMP variables as well. If you practice the case with a signed COMP variable, then you need to change your target variable data type to PIC -99.99. – Celestial

This is not part of the question but would be interesting to consider: How about dealing with S9.9? The S is invalid with "." – Kahler