Binary or COMP Format
Description and Discussion

When technology complements business

Table of Contents

Version 12.11.21

	Introduction
	The Idiosyncrasies of Binary or COMP Fields
	Numeric Fields, Definitions and Lengths
	Summary
	Software Agreement and Disclaimer
	Downloads and Links to Similar Pages
	Downloads and Links, Internet Access Required
	Glossary of Terms
	Comments, Suggestions or Feedback
	Company Overview

The SimoTime Home Page

Introduction

This document provides an overview (description and discussion of content and size) of binary (or COMP) fields as they are implemented on an IBM Mainframe System or a Micro Focus environment implemented on a Linux, UNIX or Windows System.

Note: The items in this document are appropriate for applications that are written in COBOL, Mainframe Assembler (HLASM) or PL/I. The IBM Mainframe architecture drove many of the numeric formats that existed in the early ANSI specifications for COBOL and have been carried forward to the current COBOL ANSI specifications.

The following table shows the structure of a three digit numeric field using the Binary format that is used on an IBM Mainframe System (i.e. the COBOL syntax would be USAGE IS COMP). The field contains a value of one-hundred-twenty-three (or 123). Since the binary format stores the number as an actual binary value the field will only be two (2) bytes in length.

00000

if unsigned
Bit OFF, Do not add 32,768
Refer to Notes 1 and 2

00000

Bit OFF, Do not add 16,384

0000

Bit OFF, Do not add 8,192

0000

Bit OFF, Do not add 4,096

0000

Bit OFF, Do not add 2,048

0000

Bit OFF, Do not add 1,024

000

Bit OFF, Do not add 512

000

Bit OFF, Do not add 256

000

Bit OFF, Do not add 128

Bit OFF, Do not add 4

123

Decimal Total

x'007B'

Hexadecimal Total

Note: 1 A binary field that is defined as "Unsigned" (i.e. PIC 999) is an implied positive value. A two (2) byte unsigned, binary field may contain a range of implied positive values from 0 to 65,535.

Note: 2 A binary field that is defined as "Signed" (i.e. PIC S999) will use the high-order, leftmost bit as the sign. A zero (0) is a positive sign and a one (1) is a negative sign. A two (2) byte signed, binary field may contain a range of values from -32,767 to +32,767.

The BINARY Format for a Numeric Field

The Idiosyncrasies of Binary or COMP Fields

The creation and processing of COMP or BINARY data on a Windows or UNIX platform must be done in the same manner as the mainframe. On the mainframe COMP or BINARY fields must be 2, 4, or 8 bytes in length (the mainframe was originally a half-word, full-word and double-word centric system). On Linux, UNIX or Windows (using Micro Focus COBOL with Net Express or Server Express) the COMP or BINARY fields may be 1 through 8 bytes in length.

Note: The syntax for COBOL is "USAGE IS COMPUTATIONAL". However, this is usually abbreviated to COMP or may be coded as BINARY.

Notice the following, the record layout for the Item Master File contains two (2) COMP or BINARY fields. These fields are defined as PIC 9(7) and may contain values from zero (0) through 9,999,999 or the binary values of x'000000' through x'98967F' which may be contained in a three (3) byte binary field.

Herein is the problem, on the EBCDIC-encoded, half-word, full-word, double-word, mainframe environment the fields would be allocated with an actual length of four (4) bytes for a binary field. For the Micro Focus, ASCII-encoded, byte-oriented environment the fields would be allocated with an actual length of three (3) bytes for a binary field.

       01  ITEM-RECORD.
           05  ITEM-NUMBER              PIC X(12).
           05  ITEM-DATA.
               10  ITEM-DESCRIPTION     PIC X(48).
               10  ITEM-QTY-ONHAND      PIC 9(7)            COMP.
               10  ITEM-QTY-ALLOCATED   PIC 9(7)            COMP.
               10  ITEM-UNIT-OF-MEASURE PIC X(16).
               10  ITEM-COST            PIC S9(7)V9(2)      COMP-3.
               10  ITEM-PRICE           PIC S9(7)V9(2)      COMP-3.
               10  ITEM-LADATE          PIC X(8).
               10  ITEM-LATIME          PIC X(8).
               10  ITEM-TOKEN           PIC X(3).
               10  ITEM-D-CODE-1        PIC X.
               10  ITEM-D-PERCENT-1     PIC S9(3)V9(4).
               10  ITEM-D-CODE-2        PIC X.
               10  ITEM-D-PERCENT-2     PIC S9(3)V9(4).
               10  ITEM-D-CODE-3        PIC X.
               10  ITEM-D-PERCENT-3     PIC S9(3)V9(4).
               10  FILLER               PIC X(375).

The solution to this problem for the Micro Focus environment is to use the IBMCOMP and NOTRUNC directives when compiling the programs. This will enforce the mainframe rules for COMP or BINARY fields and the field lengths will be the same as the mainframe.

An alternative solution is to modify the copy file and change the PIC 9(7) to PIC 9(9). However, this solution requires a source code change and is not recommended during the first phase of a data migration.

Numeric Fields, Definitions and Lengths

The following table shows the COBOL picture clause, the number of digits, the length of a packed field, the length of a binary (COMP) field for an IBM Mainframe and the length of a binary field for the Linux, UNIX and Windows (LUW) environments running Micro Focus COBOL.

The differences in field (or data string) length are high-lighted in RED .

COBOL Picture Clause	Number of Digits	Length Packed	Length Binary (IBM)	Length Binary (Micro Focus)
PIC 9	1	1	2	1
PIC 99	2	2	2	1
PIC 999	3	2	2	2
PIC 9(4)	4	3	2	2
PIC 9(5)	5	3	4	3
PIC 9(6)	6	4	4	3
PIC 9(7)	7	4	4	3
PIC 9(8)	8	5	4	4
PIC 9(9)	9	5	4	4
PIC 9(10)	10	6	8	5
PIC 9(11)	11	6	8	5
PIC 9(12)	12	7	8	5
PIC 9(13)	13	7	8	6
PIC 9(14)	14	8	8	6
PIC 9(15)	15	8	8	7
PIC 9(16)	16	9	8	7
PIC 9(17)	17	9	8	8
PIC 9(18)	18	10	8	8

It is important to note that Micro Focus Mainframe Express supports the mainframe format for binary (or COMP) fields. This is accomplished by pre-setting the compiler directives to force this behavior. The compiler directives are IBMCOMP and NOTRUNC. These directives may also be used with Net Express and must be configured manually since the default for Net Express is to allow binary fields to be any length.

Summary

The purpose of this document is to provide an overview of binary formats for numeric data strings or fields. This document may be used as a tutorial for new programmers or as a quick reference for experienced programmers. In the world of programming there are many ways to solve a problem. This document and the links to other documents are intended to provide a choice of alternatives.

Software Agreement and Disclaimer

Permission to use, copy, modify and distribute this software, documentation or training material for any purpose requires a fee to be paid to SimoTime Enterprises. Once the fee is received by SimoTime the latest version of the software, documentation or training material will be delivered and a license will be granted for use within an enterprise, provided the SimoTime copyright notice appear on all copies of the software. The SimoTime name or Logo may not be used in any advertising or publicity pertaining to the use of the software without the written permission of SimoTime Enterprises.

SimoTime Enterprises makes no warranty or representations about the suitability of the software, documentation or learning material for any purpose. It is provided "AS IS" without any expressed or implied warranty, including the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. SimoTime Enterprises shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, special or consequential damages resulting from the loss of use, data or projects, whether in an action of contract or tort, arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of this software, documentation or training material.

Downloads and Links to Similar Pages

This section includes links to documents with additional information that are beyond the scope and purpose of this document. The first sub-section requires an internet connection, the second sub-section references locally available documents.

Note: A SimoTime License is required for the items to be made available on a local server.

Note: The latest versions of the SimoTime Documents and Program Suites are available on the Internet and may be accessed using the icon. If a user has a SimoTime Enterprise License the Documents and Program Suites may be available on a local server and accessed using the icon.

Explore The Binary or COMP format for numeric data strings. This numeric structure is supported by COBOL and may be explicitly defined with the "USAGE IS COMP" or "USAGE IS BINARY" clause.

Explore The Edited for Display format for numeric data strings. This numeric structure is supported by COBOL and may be used with an edit-mask to prepare the presentation for readability by human beings.

Explore The Packed-Decimal or COMP-3 format for numeric data strings. This numeric structure is supported by COBOL and may be explicitly defined with the "USAGE IS COMP-3" clause.

Explore The Zoned-Decimal format for numeric data strings. This numeric structure is the default numeric for COBOL and may be explicitly defined with the "USAGE IS DISPLAY" clause.

Explore commonly used formats and processing techniques for managing various numeric formats available on the mainframe.

Explore the Numbers Connection for additional information about the structure and processing of numeric data items (or numeric fields).

Explore How to Generate a Data File Convert Program using simple specification statements in a Process Control File. This link to the User Guide includes the information necessary to create a Process Control File and generate the COBOL programs that will do the actual data file conversion.

Explore The ASCII and EBCDIC Translation Tables. These tables are provided for individuals that need to better understand the bit structures and differences of the encoding formats.

Explore The File Status Return Codes to interpret the results of accessing VSAM data sets and/or QSAM files.

Downloads and Links, Internet Access Required

The following links will require an internet connect.

A good place to start is The SimoTime Home Page via Internet Connect for access to white papers, program examples and product information.

Explore The Micro Focus Web Site via Internet Connect for more information about products and services available from Micro Focus.

Glossary of Terms

Explore the Glossary of Terms for a list of terms and definitions used in this suite of documents and white papers.

Comments, Suggestions or Feedback

This document was created and is copyrighted and maintained by SimoTime Enterprises.

If you have any questions, suggestions, comments or feedback please call or send an e-mail to: helpdesk@simotime.com

We appreciate hearing from you.

Company Overview

Founded in 1987, SimoTime Enterprises is a privately owned company. We specialize in the creation and deployment of business applications using new or existing technologies and services. We have a team of individuals that understand the broad range of technologies being used in today's environments. This includes the smallest thin client using the Internet and the very large mainframe systems. There is more to making the Internet work for your company's business than just having a nice looking WEB site. It is about combining the latest technologies and existing technologies with practical business experience. It's about the business of doing business and looking good in the process. Quite often, to reach larger markets or provide a higher level of service to existing customers it requires the newer Internet technologies to work in a complementary manner with existing corporate mainframe systems.

Whether you want to use the Internet to expand into new market segments or as a delivery vehicle for existing business functions simply give us a call or check the web site at http://www.simotime.com

Return-to-Top

Binary or COMP Format, a Description and Discussion

When technology complements business

http://www.simotime.com