PACK

Short Reference

Syntax

PACK source TO destination.

Effect:

This statement, which is forbidden in classes, converts the content of the data object source to the data type p of length 16 without decimal places. In contrast to the conversion rules for elementary data types, a decimal separator in source is ignored. This assigns the converted content to the data object destination.

The data type of source must be character-type, flat, and its content must be interpretable as a numeric value. The data type of destination must be flat. If destination has the data type p, the interim result is assigned to it from left to right. Surplus characters are cut off on the left, and the decimal places are determined by the data type of destination. If destination does not have the data type p, the interim result is converted to the data type of destination according to the rules in the conversion table for source field type p.

Notes:

• The function of the statement PACK is based on the second half-byte of the code corresponding to a character in most character representations of the BCD representation for the corresponding numeric value. This compilation is generally known as "packing".
  
• If the source field contains a number without a decimal separator, and the target field has dobj2 of data type p with sufficient length and without decimal places, the result of the PACK statement (which is forbidden in classes) corresponds to the result of the statement MOVE.
  
  
  

Exceptions

Catchable Exceptions

CX_SY_CONVERSION_NO_NUMBER

• Cause: Source field cannot be interpreted as a numeric value
  Runtime Error: CONVT_NO_NUMBER (catchable)
  

CX_SY_CONVERSION_OVERFLOW

• Cause: Overflow in conversion (type P)
  Runtime Error: BCD_OVERFLOW (catchable)
  
  
  

Non-Catchable Exceptions

• Cause: Source field (type P) does not contain a correct BCD format
  Runtime Error: BCD_BADDATA