Resulting indicators are used by calculation specifications in the traditional format (C specifications). They are not used by free-form calculation specifications. For most operation codes, in either traditional format or free-form, you can use built-in functions instead of resulting indicators. For more information, see Built-in Functions.
A resulting indicator is defined by an entry in positions 71 through 76 of the calculation specifications. The purpose of the resulting indicators depends on the operation code specified in positions 26 through 35. (See the individual operation code in Chapter 22. Operation Codes for a description of the purpose of the resulting indicators.) For example, resulting indicators can be used to test the result field after an arithmetic operation, to identify a record-not-found condition, to indicate an exception/error condition for a file operation, or to indicate an end-of-file condition.
The valid resulting indicators are:
You can specify resulting indicators in three places (positions 71-72, 73-74, and 75-76) of the calculation specifications. The positions in which the resulting indicator is defined determine the condition to be tested.
In most cases, when a calculation is processed, the resulting indicators are set off, and, if the condition specified by a resulting indicator is satisfied, that indicator is set on. However, there some exceptions to this rule, notably LOOKUP (Look Up a Table or Array Element), SETOFF (Set Indicator Off), and SETON (Set Indicator On). A resulting indicator can be used as a conditioning indicator on the same calculation line or in other calculations or output operations. When you use it on the same line, the prior setting of the indicator determines whether or not the calculation is processed. If it is processed, the result field is tested and the current setting of the indicator is determined (see Figure 20).