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Ameen · Beginner Joined: 22 Dec 2004 Posts: 4 Topics: 2

Hi,

I have a doubt in Redefining a variable.

05 Var1 PICTURE X(6).
05 Var2 REDEFINES Var1.
10 V1 PICTURE X(2).
10 V2 PICTURE 9(4).

Var1 contains "Ashoka"

Var2 redefines Var1.

What will happen, when i display V2?

-Ameen

kolusu · Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 5:18 am Post subject:

Ameen,

Did you try testing? V2 will contain "hoka" upon display

Hope this helps...

Cheers

Kolusu
_________________
Kolusu
www.linkedin.com/in/kolusu

Phantom · Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 5:26 am Post subject:

Kolusu,

I have a basic question here. I tested the code today morning and as I expected it had 'hoka'. But I thought the job will abend in SOC7, when I use the variable v2 in an arithmetic expression (ADD +1 to V2). But I ended up with an RC of 0. When I displayed the value I got "8622" (Add +1 to HOKA).

Now why didn't I get a SOC7 ? Is it dependant on compiler options.

PS: I compiled my cobol program using SCALES compiler with the following compiler options:

kolusu · Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 5:46 am Post subject:

phantom,

Note that v2 is defined as 9(4) instead of S9(4), so the value is treated as if it were X'F8F6F2F1'. With display numeric fields the compiler will see it anything in it as a valid numeric until proven otherwise through an arithmetic operation, where conversion would take place.

So adding 1 to v2 will not cause an s0c7 abend.

Change the definition of v2 to comp-3 format and re-run the job.

Hope this helps...

Cheers

Kolusu
_________________
Kolusu
www.linkedin.com/in/kolusu

Phantom · Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 6:09 am Post subject:

Oh Okay....Now I understand. Thanks for the clarification.

Phantom

Ameen · Beginner Joined: 22 Dec 2004 Posts: 4 Topics: 2

Kolusu,

Here 9(4) is a numeric, how it can hold alphabets.

Please clarify.

Phantom · Posted: Mon Dec 27, 2004 1:19 am Post subject:

Ameen,

Yes, 9(4) cannot hold alphabets. If you try to move a alpha-numeric literal to a numeric variable, the compiler itself will throw u an error. But in this example, the numeric variable is SHARING the same memory location of an alphanumeric variable and the value is actually moved to the alpha-numeric variable and not directly to the numeric variable.

So, now when u display the numeric variable, it refers to the memory location where the alphabetic value is stored and picks up whatever value is stored there and displays it.

Hope I'm clear,

Thanks,
Phantom