Data Types: Character, Numeric, Date, Time, and Indicator

The data type chosen in a declaration fixes a field's storage size, arithmetic behavior, and compatibility with the database and with other programs. This lesson works through the type families available to DCL-S: CHAR and VARCHAR; PACKED, ZONED, INT, and UNS; DATE, TIME, and TIMESTAMP; and IND.

What you'll be able to do

1. 1Declare character fields using CHAR and VARCHAR, and explain the practical difference between them.
2. 2Declare numeric fields using PACKED, ZONED, and INT, and select the correct type and precision for a given business value.
3. 3Declare DATE, TIME, and TIMESTAMP fields, and identify their default formats.
4. 4Declare and use the IND data type for status flags and condition testing.
5. 5Read a DCL-S declaration and correctly identify the storage size, precision, and intended use of the field it defines.