Sign representation affects the processing and interaction of zoned decimal and internal decimal data.
Given X'sd', where s is the sign representation and d represents the digit, the valid sign representations for zoned decimal (USAGE DISPLAY) data without the SIGN IS SEPARATE clause are:
When the CHAR(NATIVE) compiler option is in effect, signs generated internally are 3 for positive and unsigned, and 7 for negative.
When the CHAR(EBCDIC) compiler option is in effect, signs generated internally are C for positive, F for unsigned, and D for negative.
Given X'ds', where d represents the digit and s is the sign representation, the valid sign representations for internal decimal (USAGE PACKED-DECIMAL) data are:
Signs generated internally are C for positive and unsigned, and D for negative.
The sign representation of unsigned internal decimal numbers is different between COBOL for Windows and host COBOL. Host COBOL generates F internally as the sign of unsigned internal decimal numbers.
related references
ZWB
Data representation