Defining national numeric data items

Define data items with the USAGE NATIONAL clause to hold numeric data that is represented in national characters (UTF-16). You can define national decimal items and national floating-point items.

About this task

To define a national decimal item, code a PICTURE clause that contains only the symbols 9, P, S, and V. If the PICTURE clause contains S, the SIGN IS SEPARATE clause must be in effect for that item.

To define a national floating-point item, code a PICTURE clause that defines a floating-point item (for example, +99999.9E-99).

You can use national decimal items in the same way that you use zoned decimal items. You can use national floating-point items in the same way that you use display floating-point items.

Related references  
SIGN clause (COBOL for Linux on x86 Language Reference)