For numeric fields the data is to be written in zoned decimal format.
For float numeric fields, the data is to be written in the external display
representation.
For graphic fields, the data is to be written with SO/SI brackets.
For UCS-2 fields, the data is to be written in UCS-2 format.
For date, time, and timestamp fields the data is to be written without
format conversion performed.
For character fields, the data is to be written as it is stored.
A
The character field is to be written in either fixed- or variable-length
format depending on the absense or presence of the *VAR data attribute.
C
The UCS-2 field is to be written in either fixed- or variable-length
format depending on the absense or presence of the *VAR data attribute.
G
The graphic field (without SO/SI brackets) will be written in either
fixed- or variable-length format depending on the absense or presence of the
*VAR data attribute.
B
The numeric field is to be written in binary format.
F
The numeric field is to be written in float format.
I
The numeric field is to be written out in integer format.
L
The numeric field is to be written with a preceding (left) plus or minus
sign, in zoned-decimal format.
N
The character field is to be written in indicator format.
P
The numeric field is to be written in packed-decimal format.
R
The numeric field is to be written with a following (right) plus or
minus sign, in zoned-decimal format.
S
The numeric field is to be written out in zoned-decimal format.
U
The numeric field is to be written out in unsigned integer format.
D
Date field— the date field will be converted to the format specified
in positions 53-80 or to the default file date format.
T
Time field— the time field will be converted to the format specified
in positions 53-80 or to the default file time format.
Z
Valid for Timestamp fields only.
This position must be blank if editing is specified.
The entry in position 52 specifies the external format of the data in the
records in the file. This entry has no effect on the format used for internal
processing of the output field in the program.
For numeric fields, the number of bytes required in the output record depends
on this format. For example, a numeric field with 5 digits requires:
5 bytes when written in zoned format
3 bytes when written in packed format
6 bytes when written in either L or R format
4 bytes when written in binary format
2 bytes when written in either I or U format. This may cause an error
at run time if the value is larger than the maximum value for a 2-byte integer
or unsigned field. For the case of 5-digit fields, binary format may be better.
Float numeric fields written out with blank Data Format entry occupy either
14 or 23 positions (for 4-byte and 8-byte float fields respectively) in the
output record.
A 'G' or blank must be specified for a graphic field in a program-described
file. If 'G' is specified, then, the data will be output without SO/SI. If
this column is blank for program-described output, then SO/SI brackets will
be placed around the field in the output record by the compiler if the field
is of type graphic. You must ensure that there is sufficient room in the output
record for both the data and the SO/SI characters.