Numeric Pictures

Numeric pictures allow you to decode and reformat integer and decimal numeric values. A value is interpreted as a numeric value only if its picture string contains numeric picture-control characters.

The input data is first scanned for the number of digits to the left and right of the decimal point (if any), and for a negative sign that can either precede or follow the data. The picture string is then used to reformat the value. The numeric picture-control characters are 9, S, V, and Z.

The following table describes the behavior of the numeric picture-control characters.

Character

Definition

9

Replaces the control character with a numeric character

S

Replaces the control character with a minus sign if the input value is negative

V

Inserts a decimal point

Z

Replaces the control character with a numeric character or a leading zero

The following table lists some examples of numeric pictures.