diff between 'move all' and 'move'

[jayachandran]

Hi!
What is the difference between 'MOVE ALL ZEROS TO VARIABLE' and 'MOVE ZEROS TO VARIABLE' ?
What happens if the VARIABLE is numeric and when non-numeric (PIC X) ?

 

[k5tm]

Ah, a fun set of questions!

The answer to your first question is: there is no difference. The reserved word ALL in this context is optional.

As to your second question: ZEROS, ZEROES, ALL ZEROES, ALL ZEROS, ZERO, ALL ZERO are equivalent figurative constants that represent the numeric value 0 when VARIABLE is numeric, and one or more zero character(s) when VARIABLE is alphanumeric or group.

There is a difference in the following, however (assume VARIABLE is alphanumeric, two or more characters):

MOVE 'X' TO VARIABLE
MOVE ALL 'X' TO VARIABLE

In the first instance, a single 'X' is left justified in VARIABLE, with space fill to the right. In the second instance, all character positions in VARIABLE will contain 'X'. Want a quick separation line in a report? Consider

WRITE REPORT-LINE FROM ALL '_' AFTER 1.

Tom Morrison