Rational Developer for System z
COBOL for Windows, Version 7.5, Language Reference


Intrinsic functions

Data processing problems often require the use of values that are not directly accessible in the data storage associated with the object program, but instead must be derived through performing operations on other data. An intrinsic function is a function that performs a mathematical, character, or logical operation, and thereby allows you to make reference to a data item whose value is derived automatically during execution.

The functions can be grouped into six categories, based on the type of service performed:

You can reference a function by specifying its name, along with any required arguments, in a procedure division statement.

Functions are elementary data items, and return alphanumeric character, national character, numeric, or integer values. Functions cannot serve as receiving operands.


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