HLASM: V1R6 Language Ref

Data attributesv If the first operand of the EQU instruction is a symbol whose value and lengthattribute are defined, the length attribute value is that of the symbol in the firstoperand.v If the first operand of the EQU instruction is a defined symbol and the EQUinstruction specifies a length value in the second operand, the length attributevalue is that of the second operand.At assembly time, the symbol has the same length attribute value as the first termof the expression in the first operand of the EQU instruction. However, the secondoperand of an EQU instruction can be used to assign a length attribute value to thesymbol in the name field. This second operand can not be a forward reference toanother EQU instruction.Notes:1. The length attribute reference, when used in conditional assembly processing,can be specified only in arithmetic expressions.2. When used in conditional assembly processing, a length attribute reference to asymbol with the type attribute value of M, N, O, T, U, or $ is flagged. Thelength attribute for the symbol has the default value of 1.Scale attribute (S')The scale attribute can be used only when referring to fixed-point, floating-point,or decimal constants. The following table shows the numeric value assigned to thescale attribute:ConstantTypesAllowedType of DC or DSAllowedValue of ScaleAttribute AssignedFixed-Point H and F Equal to the value of the scale modifier(−187 through +346)Floating Point D, E, and L Equal to the value of the scale modifier(0 through 14 — D, E)(0 through 28 — L)Decimal P and Z Equal to the number of decimal digitsspecified to the right of the decimalpoint(0 through 31 — P)(0 through 16 — Z)The scale attribute can also be specified outside conditional assembly instructions.Then, the scale attribute value is not used for conditional assembly processing, butis used as a value at assembly time.Notes:1. The scale attribute reference can be used only in arithmetic expressions.2. When no scale attribute value can be determined, the reference is flagged andthe scale attribute is 1.3. If the value of the SETC symbol is equal to the name of an instruction that canvalidly define the scale attribute, the assembler lets you use the scale attributewith a SETC symbol.4. Binary floating-point constants return an attribute of 0.5. Decimal floating-point constants return an attribute of 0.330 HLASM: V1R6 Language Ref