Converting parameter descriptions

The parameter descriptions in this information are written using the VS COBOL II PIC language syntax and conventions, but you should use the syntax and conventions that are appropriate for the language you want to use.

Figure 1 shows examples of storage definition statements for COBOL, PL/I, and assembler language programs.

Figure 1. Storage definition statement examples

VS COBOL II PIC
 
  PIC S9(4) BINARY                   HALFWORD BINARY VALUE
  PIC S9(8) BINARY                   FULLWORD BINARY VALUE
  PIC   X(n)                         CHARACTER FIELD OF N BYTES
 
COBOL PIC
 
  PIC S9(4) COMP                     HALFWORD BINARY VALUE
  PIC S9(4) BINARY                   HALFWORD BINARY VALUE
  PIC S9(8) COMP                     FULLWORD BINARY VALUE
  PIC S9(8) BINARY                   FULLWORD BINARY VALUE
  PIC   X(n)                         CHARACTER FIELD OF N BYTES
 
PL/I DECLARE STATEMENT
 
  DCL   HALF       FIXED BIN(15),    HALFWORD BINARY VALUE
  DCL   FULL       FIXED BIN(31),    FULLWORD BINARY VALUE
  DCL   CHARACTER  CHAR(n)           CHARACTER FIELD OF n BYTES
 
ASSEMBLER DECLARATION
 
  DS    H                            HALFWORD BINARY VALUE
  DS    F                            FULLWORD BINARY VALUE
  DS    CLn                          CHARACTER FIELD OF n BYTES