Begin figure description
The image for this figure shows a large table that presents valid picture symbol sequences. This description gives that information in a format that you can navigate with your browser.
If you are familiar with this description and want to skip the introduction, click Skip the introduction (data item category).
Information in this description is organized by data category. You can click a data category to find details of related picture symbols. At the end of a category, you can return to select another category or you can return to the main picture symbol topic.
The following conventions are used in this description:
Picture symbol sequences are given for one symbol followed by one other symbol. To construct a valid sequence of symbols, choose a symbol to start with. Find the symbols that follow. Choose one of those symbols and find the symbols that follow, until you have the right sequence of symbols.
You can use your browser's back button at any time to return to the main picture symbol topic.
End of introduction.
Link to one of the following data categories:
Numeric picture symbols are 9, P, S, and V.
You can start a picture for a numeric item with any one of them. Then you can continue as follows:
Before you use P and V in the same picture, see the rules for symbol P (P symbol).
End of numeric category. You can return to select another data item category or return to the main picture symbol topic (P symbol).
Numeric date picture symbols are S and 9.
You can start a picture for a numeric date item with S or 9. Then you can continue as follows:
End of numeric date category. You can return to select another data item category or return to the main picture symbol topic (P symbol).
The Alphabetic picture symbol is A.
End of alphabetic category. You can return to select another data item category or return to the main picture symbol topic (P symbol).
Alphanumeric picture symbols are A, X, and 9.
You can start a picture for an alphanumeric item with any one of them. Alphanumeric picture symbols can be written in any combination, but the picture must contain at least one X.
End of alphanumeric category. You can return to select another data item category or return to the main picture symbol topic (P symbol).
Alphanumeric-edited picture symbols are A, X, 9, B, 0, and slash.
You can start a picture for an alphanumeric-edited item with any one of them. The symbols can be written in any combination, but the picture must contain at least one A or X and at least one B, 0, or slash.
End of alphanumeric-edited category. You can return to select another data item category or return to the main picture symbol topic (P symbol).
Numeric-edited picture symbols are B, P, V, Z, 9, 0, slash, comma, period, plus, minus, CR, DB, asterisk, and currency symbol.
You can start a numeric-edited picture with any one of them except CR or DB.
You must code at least one of the following symbols: B, Z, 0, slash, comma, period, plus, minus, CR, DB, asterisk, currency symbol.
You must also follow the rules for the type of editing that you choose. (For details, see PICTURE clause editing and Numeric-edited items.)
Numeric-edited picture symbols are grouped into the following sets:
A given symbol can be used in multiple sets and you can use symbols from different sets in one picture.
To determine valid sequences, choose a symbol to start with. Then click an appropriate set:
Nonfloating insertion symbols can be written as follows:
B, 0, slash, and comma can be followed by:
Period can be followed by:
Left plus or left minus can be followed by:
Currency symbol can be followed by:
To continue, choose one of the following options:
Floating insertion symbols can be written as follows:
Left Z or left asterisk can be followed by:
Right Z or right asterisk can be followed by:
Left plus or left minus can be followed by:
Right plus or right minus can be followed by:
Left currency symbol can be followed by:
Right currency symbol can be followed by:
To continue, choose one of the following options:
Other symbols can be written as follows:
9 can be followed by:
V can be followed by:
Left P can be followed by:
Right P can be followed by:
To continue, choose one of the following options:
End of numeric-edited category. Return to select another data item category or return to the main picture symbol topic (P symbol).
External floating point mantissa picture symbols are 9, period, and V.
You can start a mantissa picture with any one of them. Then you can continue as follows:
You must include a period or a V, but not both.
For other details of the external floating point format, see External floating point items (External floating-point items).
End of external floating point category. Return to select another data item category or return to the main picture symbol topic (P symbol).
DBCS picture symbols are G and B.
As an alternative, you can use symbol N when the NSYMBOL(DBCS) compiler option is in effect.
You can use one of the following three sequences:
End of DBCS category. Return to select another data item category or return to the main picture symbol topic (P symbol).
The national picture symbol is N.
You can use one or more occurrences of picture symbol N to describe a data item of category national when the NSYMBOL(NATIONAL) compiler option is in effect. If the NSYMBOL(DBCS) compiler option is in effect, picture symbol N describes a DBCS data item.
End of national category. Return to select another data item category or return to the main picture symbol topic (P symbol).
National-edited picture symbols are N, B, 0, and slash.
You can start a picture for a national-edited item with any one of them. The symbols can be written in any combination, but the picture must contain at least one N and at least one B, 0, or slash.
End of national-edited category. You can return to select another data item category or return to the main picture symbol topic (P symbol).
End figure description. Return to the main picture symbol topic (P symbol).