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Status Delivered
Workspace COBOL Compilers
Created by Guest
Created on Nov 2, 2017

RELATED IDEAS

Enterprise Cobol V4/V5/V6 - Scope of ZONECHECK / NUMCHECK limited to incoming data

Hi,

The ZONECHECK and NUMCHECK options tells the compiler to generate extra code to validate numeric data items when they are used as sending data items.

We believe that these controls should only apply to data items that are "incoming" for the program:
- data item in records descriptions of files open for "read"
- data item in structures referenced in a CALL statement
- data item in Linkage Section (referenced by PROCEDURE DIVSION USING or by SET ADDRESS OF)
- data item declared EXTERN

Except in the event of a programming error (for example with a mismanaged redefine), there is no reason why a numerical data is corrupted by the program's treatments. So there is no need to control the data that is not an "input" of the program.

We believe that the ZONECHECK / NUMCHECK options are not intended to detect programming errors, but above all to detect invalid data provided to the program.
A new suboption could be added to limit the scope of the ZONECHECK / NUMCHECK options to incoming data items in the program, or as currently to all data items.

Idea priority Low
  • Guest
    Reply
    |     Sep 9, 2020

    The latest NUMCHECK in COBOL V6.2 (or later) has been improved for this RFE.

  • Guest
    Reply
    |     Mar 5, 2018

    This RFE has been accepted and will be updated if any further changes.

  • Guest
    Reply
    |     Nov 30, 2017

    This RFE is currently being evaluated.

  • Guest
    Reply
    |     Nov 6, 2017

    Hello Denis,

    i am sure you are right.
    This could eliminate many unnecessary cpu-intensive checks, because all internal variables are preinitialized like VALUE...
    Only a Redefines, where you move a String to it and try to calculate with the numbers could fail,
    01 ITEM.
    05 STRING1 PIC X(80).
    05 MANY-NUMBERS REDEFINES STRING1.
    10 NUMBER1 PIC 9(8) PACKED-DECIMAL.
    10 NUMBER2 PIC 9(8)...
    This could go wrong, if the STRING1 was an input from extern (DB2-Call, File-input, LinkageParameter). So it depends.

    Guenter

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