Multiple choice technology mainframe

How many bytes will be taken if you store your data +12345 in S9(05) comp-3

  1. 3 BYTES

  2. 4 BYTES

  3. 5 BYTES

  4. 2 BYTES
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

COBOL's COMP-3 format stores packed decimal data, placing two digits per byte with one half-byte reserved for the sign. For a signed picture clause of S9(05), five digits plus the sign require six nibbles (half-bytes) in total. Six nibbles fit exactly into three bytes, making three bytes the correct storage size.

Keep practicing — related questions