Using DBCS characters in COBOL

Programs you run with z/OS® Debugger can contain variables and character strings written using the double-byte character set (DBCS). z/OS Debugger also allows you to issue commands containing DBCS variables and strings. For example, you can display the value of a DBCS variable (LIST), assign it a new value, monitor it in the Monitor window (MONITOR), or search for it in a window (FIND).

To use DBCS with z/OS Debugger, enter: 
SET DBCS ON;

If you are debugging in full-screen mode and your terminal is not DBCS capable, the SET DBCS ON is not available.

The DBCS default for COBOL is OFF.

The DBCS syntax and continuation rules you must follow to use DBCS variables in z/OS Debugger commands are the same as those for the COBOL language.

For COBOL you must type a DBCS literal, such as G, in front of a DBCS value in a Monitor or Data pop-up window if you want to update the value.

Refer to the following topics for more information related to the material discussed in this topic.

  • Related references
  • Enterprise COBOL for z/OS Language Reference