Computational Items

A computational item is a value used in arithmetic operations. Computational items must be numeric. These include binary, packed-decimal, and internal floating point data items.

If the USAGE of a group item is described with any of these items, the elementary items within the group have this usage. The group itself is considered nonnumeric and cannot be used in numeric operations, except for those using the CORRESPONDING phrase (see CORRESPONDING Phrase).

The maximum length of a computational item is 18 decimal digits.

IBM Extension

The maximum length of a packed-decimal computational item is 31 decimal digits.

End of IBM Extension
The PICTURE of a computational item may contain only:
9
One or more numeric character positions
S
One operational sign
V
One implied decimal point
P
One or more decimal scaling positions.
IBM Extension

Unlike other computational items, COMPUTATIONAL-1 and COMPUTATIONAL-2 items (internal floating-point) cannot have PICTURE strings.

End of IBM Extension