isCOBOL Evolve : Appendices : Intrinsic Functions : SIGN
SIGN
The SIGN function returns +1, 0, or -1 depending on the sign of the argument.
Syntax 1
function sign (arg-1)
Syntax 2
$sign (arg-1)
Arguments
• arg-1 must be a numeric data item or literal.
Result
The function returns returns +1, 0, or -1 depending on the sign of arg-1.
Examples
Example - Check if a value is positive or negative.
working-storage section.
77 var pic s9(9).
...
procedure division.
...
evaluate function sign(var)
when -1
   display "var contains a negative value"
when 0
   display "var contains zero"
when 1
   display "var contains a positive value"
end-evaluate.