Problem:

Which compiler directive initializes all the variables in a source?

Resolution:

DEFAULTBYTE

Initializes each otherwise undefined byte of the Data Division to the character given.

Syntax:

>>-.----.--DEFAULTBYTE--"integer"-----------><

       -/-

Parameters:

integer ASCII code of the character, in decimal.

Properties:

Default: DEFAULTBYTE"00" ( Dialect )

Phase: Syntax check

$SET: Initial

Dependencies:

Set to DEFAULTBYTE"32" immediately by CHARSET"ASCII".

Set to DEFAULTBYTE"00" immediately by CHARSET"EBCDIC", MS, IBM-MS or PC1.

Comments:

integer is a decimal value. For example, if you want to specify an EBCDIC space use DEFAULTBYTE"64"; to specify an ASCII space use DEFAULTBYTE"32".