Internal representation of numeric items
Figure 1 shows the internal representation of numeric items as specified by the USAGE clause. Numeric DISPLAY items include external decimal and external floating point data items. The computational numeric items are also shown in this figure: binary, internal decimal, and internal floating point data items.
Figure 1. Internal Representation of Numeric Items

Note: The internal representation of native binary COMP-5
numeric items is the same as the internal representation of binary
COMP-4 numeric items.
| Item | Description | Value | Internal representation |
|---|---|---|---|
| National decimal | PIC 9999 NATIONAL | 1234 | 00 31 00 32 00 33 00 34 |
| PIC S9999 NATIONAL SIGN LEADING SEPARATE | +1234 | 00 2B 00 31 00 32 00 33 00 34 | |
| -1234 | 00 2D 00 31 00 32 00 33 00 34 | ||
| PIC S9999 NATIONAL SIGN TRAILING SEPARATE | +1234 | 00 31 00 32 00 33 00 34 00 2B | |
| -1234 | 00 31 00 32 00 33 00 34 00 2D |