HLASM Language Reference

DC Instruction—Graphic Constant
(X'40'). The assembler then maps each EBCDIC character into its 2-byte Unicode
UTF-16 equivalent.
For example:
UA DC CU'UTF-16' object code X' 5554462D3136'
UB DC CUL4'L' object code X' 4C2'
UC DC CUL2'XYZ' object code X' 58'
Double-byte data in character constants: When the DBCS assembler option is
specified, double-byte data may be used in a character constant. The start of
double-byte data is delimited by SO, and the end by SI. All characters between SO
and SI must be valid double-byte characters. No single-byte meaning is drawn
from the double-byte data. Hence, special characters such as the single quotation
mark and ampersand are not recognized between SO and SI. The SO and SI are
included in the assembled representation of a character constant containing
double-byte data.
If a duplication factor is used, SI/SO pairs at the duplication points are not
removed. For example, the statement:
DBCS DC 3C''
results in the assembled character string value of:
Null double-byte data (SO followed immediately by SI) is acceptable and is
assembled into the constant value.
The following examples of character constants contain double-byte data:
DBCS DC C''
DBCS1 DC C''
DBCS2 DC C'abc'
DBCS3 DC C'abcdef'
The length attribute includes the SO and SI. For example, the length attribute of
DBCS is 2, and the length attribute of DBCS2 is 11. No truncation of double-byte
character strings within C-type constants is allowed, since incorrect double-byte
data would be created.
| It is possible to generate invalid DBCS data in these situations:
| You specify a bit-length modifier that causes truncation of the DBCS data or
| the shift-out and shift-in characters.
| You specify the TRANSLATE option.
Graphic Constant—G
When the DBCS assembler option is specified, the graphic (G-type) constant is
supported. This constant type allows the assembly of pure double-byte data. The
graphic constant differs from a character constant containing only double-byte data
in that the SO and SI delimiting the start and end of double-byte data are not
present in the assembled value of the graphic constant. Because SO and SI are
not assembled, if a duplication factor is used, no redundant SI/SO characters are
created. For example, the statement:
DBCS DC 3G''
Chapter 5. Assembler Instruction Statements 145