--- title: "COBOL: Assumed Decimal Vs Dot" description: "COBOL assumed decimal and dot difference given in this post. A useful answer to your project and interviews as well." url: https://srinimf.com/2018/07/27/cobol-real-answer-on-assumed-decimal-vs-dot/ date: 2018-07-27 modified: 2026-10-10 author: "Srini" image: https://i0.wp.com/srinimf.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/assumed-decimal-vs-dot.jpg?fit=1200%2C700&ssl=1 categories: ["COBOL"] tags: ["Assumed decimal in COBOL", "COBOL Tips and Tricks"] type: post lang: en --- # COBOL: Assumed Decimal Vs Dot In COBOL you are familiar with assumed decimal.  When you expect a decimal in the input, then you need to declare the receiving field with the assumed decimal. So that decimal is displayed. The assumed decimal is also called the implied decimal. Related[Editing Vs Decimal Data types: Top COBOL Move Statements](https://srinimf.com/2015/12/29/one-check-list-for-cobol-tricky-move-statements/) Advertisements ## Dot Vs Assumed Decimal ### Assumed Decimal Let us see an example: ``` 01 DECIMAL_VALUE PIC 9(11) V 99 ``` The above variable can handle data of 12345678933.99. The ‘V’ basically is not part of the data. COBOL assumes that period or dot may come here. In sequential files, the data look like without a period. In this case, when you DISPLAY the DECIMAL_VALUE, it shows as 1234567893399. The period is not visible in the DISPLAY output. ![COBOL: Assumed Decimal Vs Dot](https://i0.wp.com/srinimf.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/differences.png?resize=560%2C382&ssl=1)*COBOL: Assumed Decimal Vs Dot* ### Dot In the second case, hard coding of the dot in the data type declaration is the only purpose to Display the value. ``` 01 DECIMAL_VALUE PIC 9(11).99 ``` The above declaration can handle the value 12345678933.99. When you give display for DECIMAL_VALUE, it shows as 12345678933.99. There is no change in DISPLAY. #### The Bottom Line In copybooks or programs, you need to use implied decimals. For display or reporting purposes, you need to use a dot or period in the declaration. - [COBOL Moving Decimal to Numeric Best Example](https://srinimf.com/2016/02/09/cobol-solution-decimal-move-to-numeric/)DateFebruary 9, 2016 - [Editing Vs Decimal Data types: Top COBOL Move Statements](https://srinimf.com/2015/12/29/one-check-list-for-cobol-tricky-move-statements/)DateDecember 29, 2015 - [COBOL: Alphanumeric, Numeric, Decimal Move Statements](https://srinimf.com/2015/07/10/cobol-move-alphanumeric-move-numeric-move-decimal-move/)DateJuly 10, 2015 ### Share this: - - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) - [![](https://i0.wp.com/assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_gray_20.png)](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsrinimf.com%2F2018%2F07%2F27%2Fcobol-real-answer-on-assumed-decimal-vs-dot%2F&media=https%3A%2F%2Fi0.wp.com%2Fsrinimf.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F07%2Fassumed-decimal-vs-dot.jpg%3Ffit%3D1200%252C700%26ssl%3D1&description=COBOL%3A%20Assumed%20Decimal%20Vs%20Dot) - - [Share on Tumblr](https://www.tumblr.com/share) - [Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp](https://srinimf.com/2018/07/27/cobol-real-answer-on-assumed-decimal-vs-dot/?share=jetpack-whatsapp) - [More](#) - - [Print (Opens in new window) Print](https://srinimf.com/2018/07/27/cobol-real-answer-on-assumed-decimal-vs-dot/?share=print) - [Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit](https://srinimf.com/2018/07/27/cobol-real-answer-on-assumed-decimal-vs-dot/?share=reddit) - [Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram](https://srinimf.com/2018/07/27/cobol-real-answer-on-assumed-decimal-vs-dot/?share=telegram) - [Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email](mailto:?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20COBOL%3A%20Assumed%20Decimal%20Vs%20Dot&body=https%3A%2F%2Fsrinimf.com%2F2018%2F07%2F27%2Fcobol-real-answer-on-assumed-decimal-vs-dot%2F&share=email) - ### Like this: Like Loading…