Processing of an Externally Described Binary Input Field

The number of digits of a binary field is exactly the same as the length in the DDS description. For example, if you define a binary field in your DDS specification as having 7 digits and 0 decimal positions, the RPG IVcompiler handles the data like this:

1. The field is defined as a 4-byte binary field in the input specification
2. A Packed(7,0) field is generated for the field in the RPG IV program.

If you want to retain the complete binary field information, redefine the field as a binary subfield in a data structure or as a binary stand-alone field.

Note that an externally described binary field may have a value outside of the range allowed by RPG IV binary fields. If the externally described binary field has zero (0) decimal positions then you can avoid this problem. To do so, you define the externally described binary field on a definition specification and specify the EXTBININT keyword on the control specification. This will change the external format of the externally described field to that of a signed integer.