Thursday, September 13, 2012

Arithmetic data types

Arithmetic data types are used for variables on which arithmetic calculations are to be performed. The arithmetic data types supported by PL/I are as follows:
  • Fixed point-for binary and decimal data with a fixed number of fractional digits
  • Floating point-for calculations on very large or very small numbers with the decimal point (number of fractional digits) allowed to float
  • Pictured-for fixed point decimal data that is stored internally in character form with special formatting characters