CHARCOUNT(*NATURAL | *STDCHARSIZE)

The CHARCOUNT keyword controls how RPG handles string truncation when moving data from RPG program variables to the output buffer and key buffer for the file. See Processing string data by the natural size of each character.

*NATURAL

If the data type of the field in the output buffer or key buffer is relevant according to the CHARCOUNTTYPES Control keyword, any necessary truncation when data is moved is done according to the CHARCOUNT NATURAL mode for assignment.

*STDCHARSIZE

Any necessary truncation when data is moved is done by bytes or double bytes, without regard for the size of each character.

When the CHARCOUNT keyword is not specified, the current CHARCOUNT setting is used for the file, as determined by the CHARCOUNT Control keyword or the most recent /CHARCOUNT directive preceding the definition for the file.