Tracy Pierce <[log in to unmask]> writes:

> There's no such thing as a DATE field to Image.  You need eight decimal
> digits to really do dates right, storing via ccyymmdd format.  If you have
> the space, Z8 (pic 9(8)) works nicely - you can then select a particular
> month or year quite nicely without any data conversion.   If space is at a
> premium, I2 (pic s9(9) comp) will work, but your software will pay a data
> conversion price.

Having been there, done that; I would recommend against using Z8 for a date
field.  Z8 is not equivalent to COBOL PIC 9(8), but COBOL PIC S9(8), a
subtle distinction to be sure, but one that can bite you when using
IMAGE/SQL and/or ODBC access.  My recommendation is to use the X8 IMAGE
definition for dates.  These can be readily redefined as COBOL 9(8) with no
repercussions.


Jim Phillips                            Manager of Information Systems
E-Mail: [log in to unmask]     Therm-O-Link, Inc.
Phone: (330) 527-2124                   P. O. Box 285
  Fax: (330) 527-2123                   Garrettsville, Ohio  44231