CODE-SET clause

Function

The CODE-SET clause specifies the character code set used to represent data on the external media.

Format

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CODE-SET IS alphabet-name

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Syntax rules

1. When the CODE-SET clause is specified for a file, all data in that file must be described as USAGE IS DISPLAY, and any signed numeric data must be described with the SIGN IS SEPARATE clause.

2. The alphabet-name clause referenced by the CODE-SET clause must not specify the literal phrase (see "SPECIAL-NAMES paragraph").

General rules

1. If the CODE-SET clause is specified, alphabet-name specifies the character code convention used to represent data on the external media. It also specifies the algorithm for converting the character codes on the external media from/to the native character codes. This code conversion occurs during the execution of an input or output operation (see "SPECIAL-NAMES paragraph").

2. If the CODE-SET clause is not specified, the native character code set (EBCDIC) is assumed for data on the external media.

3. If the CODE-SET clause refers to an external file, an identical CODE-SET clause must be specified in all programs that describe this external file.