PH67397: COBOL JSON GENERATE INCORRECTLY PRODUCES A JSON NUMBER PREFIXED WITH \U

Obtain the fix for this APAR.

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• When the COBOL JSON GENERATE statement generates JSON texts for
  COBOL numeric data items, JSON numbers are incorrectly prefixed
  with '\u'.
  

Local fix

Problem summary

• ****************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED: Users of Enterprise COBOL 6.1/6.2/6.3        *
  *                 release running programs                     *
  *                 which use JSON GENERATE.                     *
  ****************************************************************
  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: JSON GENERATE produces incorrect        *
  *                      JSON numbers prefixed with '\u'.        *
  ****************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION: Install the provided PTF.                    *
  ****************************************************************
  When the COBOL JSON GENERATE statement generates JSON texts
  for COBOL numeric data items, JSON numbers are incorrectly
  prefixed with '\u'.
  
  For example, given the following program
  
         IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
         PROGRAM-ID. DEMO.
         DATA DIVISION.
         WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
          01 G1.
           02 M1 PIC 9     VALUE 1.
           02 M2 PIC 99V99 VALUE 23.
  
          01 X PIC X(100) VALUE SPACE.
          01 CNT BINARY PIC 9(4).
  
         PROCEDURE DIVISION.
             JSON GENERATE X FROM G1 COUNT IN CNT
             DISPLAY FUNCTION DISPLAY-OF (
                FUNCTION NATIONAL-OF(X(1:CNT) 1208)1047)
             STOP RUN.
         END PROGRAM DEMO.
  
  ACTUAL OUTPUT (Incorrect):
  {"G1":{"M1":1,"M2":\u000023.0}
  
  EXPECTED OUTPUT(correct):
  {"G1":{"M1":1,"M2":23.00}}
  
  COB0601T/K COB0602T/K COB0603T/K
  

Problem conclusion

• The COBOL Runtime logic has been fixed.
  
  The COBOL Runtime 2025 June PTF,
  (APAR PH66670, https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/apar/PH66670)
  exposed the problem described in this APAR.
  
  The problem affects COBOL 6.1/6.2/6.3 programs.
  COBOL 6.4 and later programs are not affected.
  

Temporary fix

Comments

APAR Information

• APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

• APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

Modules/Macros

• IGZBALCT IGZCEV4  IGZCJNI2 IGZCMGEN IGZCMGJA IGZCMGUE IGZEDCCT
  IGZIBMCT IGZIGZCT IGZLLIBV IGZXAPI  IGZXCA31 IGZXCDA  IGZXD24
  IGZXDMR  IGZXJNI2 IGZXLPIO IGZXLPKA IGZXLPKB IGZXLPKC IGZXLPKD
  IGZXLPKE IGZXLPKF IGZXLPKG IGZXPK2
  

Fix information

• Fixed component name

  LE ENT COBOL LI

• Fixed component ID

  568819812

Applicable component levels

• R7D0 PSY UO04166

     UP25/07/31 P F507

• R7DJ PSY UO04167

     UP25/07/31 P F507

• R7E0 PSY UO04169

     UP25/07/31 P F507

• R7EJ PSY UO04170

     UP25/07/31 P F507

• R7F0 PSY UO04171

     UP25/07/31 P F507

• R7FJ PSY UO04172

     UP25/07/31 P F507

Fix is available

• Select the PTF appropriate for your component level. You will be required to sign in. Distribution on physical media is not available in all countries.