ARITH Compiler Option in COBOL

ARITH affects the maximum number of digits that you can code for integers, and the number of digits used in fixed-point intermediate results. By specifying ARITH complier option we can control the maximum number of digits allowed for decimal numbers (packed decimal, zoned decimal and numeric-edited data items and numeric literals).

• ARITH(EXTEND) : Max. Number of digits 31.

• ARITH(COMPAT) : Max. Number of digits 18.

Default is: ARITH(COMPAT)

Abbreviations are: AR(C|E)

Arith-extend is performance hampering because of larger intermediate results.

When you specify ARITH(EXTEND):

• The maximum number of digit positions that you can specify in the PICTURE clause for packed-decimal, external-decimal, and numeric-edited data items is raised from 18 to 31.
• The maximum number of digits that you can specify in a fixed-point numeric literal is raised from 18 to 31. You can use numeric literals with large precision anywhere that numeric literals are currently allowed, including:
  • Operands of PROCEDURE DIVISION statements
  • VALUE clauses (for numeric data items with large precision PICTURE)
  • Condition-name values (on numeric data items with large-precision PICTURE)
• The maximum number of digits that you can specify in the arguments to NUMVAL and NUMVAL-C is raised from 18 to 31.
• The maximum value of the integer argument to the FACTORIAL function is 29.
• Intermediate results in arithmetic statements use extended mode.

When you specify ARITH(COMPAT):

• The maximum number of digit positions in the PICTURE clause for packed-decimal, external-decimal, and numeric-edited data items is 18.
• The maximum number of digits in a fixed-point numeric literal is 18.
• The maximum number of digits in the arguments to NUMVAL and NUMVAL-C is 18.
• The maximum value of the integer argument to the FACTORIAL function is 28.
• Intermediate results in arithmetic statements use compatibility mode.