Define COBOL data items that hold a Unicode string as USAGE NATIONAL. These must have a picture clause that consists of one or more N symbols. If the Usage clause is omitted then the usage is implied from the setting of the NSYMBOL directive.
When the NATIONAL"2" Compiler directive is in effect, numeric, edited, and external floating point items can also contain the USAGE NATIONAL clause. Any signed numeric data item must be described with the SIGN IS SEPARATE clause.
With NATIONAL"1" in effect:
01 N1 PIC n(20) USAGE NATIONAL.
With NATIONAL"2" in effect:
01 N1 PIC n(20) USAGE NATIONAL. 01 N2 PIC 9(4) USAGE NATIONAL. 01 N3 PIC +9.9 NATIONAL BLANK WHEN ZERO. 01 N4 PIC N/N NATIONAL. 01 N5 PIC +9.99E+99 NATIONAL. 01 N6 PIC s9(4) SIGN IS TRAILING SEPARATE USAGE NATIONAL.