PM85884: RDz COBOL parser shows an unexpected error for the exponentiatio n operator ('**') when followed by a unary negative expressio

Rational Developer for System z Fix Pack 4 (8.5.1.4) for 8.5.1
Rational Developer for System z Fix Pack 5 (8.5.1.5) for 8.5.1
Rational Developer for System z Interim Fix 1 for 8.5.1.6
Rational Developer for System z Fix Pack 7 (8.5.1.7) for 8.5.1
Rational Developer for System z Interim Fix 1 for 8.5.1.4
Rational Developer for System z Fix Pack 6 (8.5.1.6) for 8.5.1

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• When the exponentiation operator '**' is followed in a COBOL
  statement by a unary negative expression, such as in:
  COMPUTE A = B / (C * (100000 ** - D))
  the parser will flag the exponentiation expression as being in
  error when it is not.
  

Local fix

• A work-around for this problem is to code parentheses around the
  unary negative expression
  COMPUTE A = B / (C * (100000 ** (- D)))
  

Problem summary

• COBOL real-time syntax check did not allow raising a base to a
  signed power, showing an annotation warning instead.
  

Problem conclusion

• This fix now allows raising a base to a signed power in a COBOL
  arithmethic expression.
  
  The problem listed in this APAR has been resolved with
  IBM Rational Developer for System z V8.5.1.4 Fix Pack which
  is available from the Recommended Fixes support download page:
  http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=2294&uid=swg27006335
  

Temporary fix

Comments

APAR Information

• APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

• APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

Fix information

• Fixed component name

  RATL DEV FOR SY

• Fixed component ID

  5724T0700

Applicable component levels

• R850 PSY

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