Format >>-+- + -+--mantissa E--+- + -+--exponent---------------------->< '- - -' '- - -'
9 . V
An actual decimal point is represented with a period (.) while an assumed decimal point is represented by a V. Either an actual or an assumed decimal point must be present in the mantissa; the decimal point can be leading, embedded, or trailing. The mantissa can contain from 1 to 16 numeric characters. The . and V are not included in the count of numeric characters.