cobol

How do you make spaces and dashes in COBOL

I am having a bit of trouble with my COBOL homework. I have to make a program that writes out the names of people and their social security numbers. Basically I have toy make a number like 123456789 show up like 123-45-6789 and a name like JSDOE show up like J S DOE. Can someone help me out?

Solution

  • You should do something like.

    01 toyNumber pic 9(9).

01 yourNumber.
   03 a pic x(3).
   03 b pic x(2).
   03 c pic x(4).

01 outNumber.
   03 a1     pic x(3).
   03 filler pic x    value "-".
   03 b1     pic x(2).
   03 filler pic x    value "-".
   03 c1     pic x(4).

    and in the procedure:

       move 123456789 to toyNumber.
   ....
   move toyNumber to yourNumber.
   move a to a1.
   move b to b1.
   move c to c1.

   display outNumber.

    Or you may use "move corresponding" if you are allowed in your homework.

    Hope this help!

    PS: The trick for the name is the same ...