The formatting characters Specification of a format is accomplished by a set of formatting char- acters which, when joined, define the rules of formatting data for the primer format interpreter. The formatting characters may be grouped into three classes: Numeric 9.Z,$,S,.,- Alpha A Skip (Blank) Fields are specified by combining these formatting characters. Up to 79 characters are accepted in a format string. Excess (overflow) charac- ters are primed onto the next print line. Table 4-2 contains formatting examples. Numeric 9 - Specifies a digit position in a numeric field, for either number places to the left or right of a decimal point.
Leaves blank spaces for empty positions according to the format. The result is a numeric digit with the leading zeros suppressed. Z - Also specifies a digit position in a numeric field, and prints leading zeroes (only to the left of a decimal point) instead of blank spaces in a numeric field. If one is specified, then the field is treated as a dollar amount with a fixed-sign position as follows: $123 $1234.00 If all digit positions to the left of the decimal point are then the number is primed as a floating dollar sign right justified before the most significant digit. S - When preceding a numeric field, the sign of the number ( + or - ) is to be primed in the fixed column position . .
- Defines the position of the decimal point and is printed literally in this position. - - Specifies a trailing sign. If the number is positive, a blank is primed. 48