Tag: mainframe

To determine the number of bytes occupied for a variable in COBOL, you need to consider the data type and the storage format.

In COBOL, the PIC clause is used to define the data type and format of a variable. The S9 format is used for signed numeric variables, and the COMP-3 format is used for packed decimal variables.

For the given variable definitions:

1. PIC S9(7) COMP-3:

   • The S9(7) indicates a signed numeric variable with a maximum of 7 digits.
   • The COMP-3 format represents packed decimal, which stores each digit using half a byte (nibble).
   • For a packed decimal variable, each digit requires 4 bits (half a byte) of storage.
   • The number of digits in the variable (7) multiplied by the storage required per digit (4 bits) gives us the total storage required.
   • Therefore, the total storage required for this variable is 7 * 4 bits = 28 bits, which is equivalent to 4 bytes.

2. PIC S9(10) COMP:

   • The S9(10) indicates a signed numeric variable with a maximum of 10 digits.
   • The COMP format represents binary storage, which uses full bytes to store the data.
   • For a binary variable, each byte can store 8 bits.
   • The number of digits in the variable (10) multiplied by the storage required per digit (1 byte) gives us the total storage required.
   • Therefore, the total storage required for this variable is 10 * 1 byte = 10 bytes.

Based on the above explanations, the correct answer is D) none of the above, as the given options do not match the correct number of bytes occupied for the variables.

• Thanks
• Wrong explanation