How to replace spaces at the right into zeros at the left in COBOL?

Question

I have an alphanumeric variable with a length of 10. It contains a number at the beginning, the rest of the digits are filled with spaces. Then I need to move the string to the

Answer 1

The easiest way is to use the WITH CONVERSION clause on the move statement, and if you aren't sure of the input, add the ON EXCEPTION clause.

IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
PROGRAM-ID. ONCONVERSION.
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION.
DATA DIVISION.
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION. 

    01 VARIN  PIC X(10).
    01 VAROUT PIC 9(10).

PROCEDURE DIVISION.
    MOVE '123456    ' TO VARIN

    MOVE VARIN TO VAROUT WITH CONVERSION
    ON EXCEPTION
        MOVE ZERO TO VAROUT
    END-MOVE

    DISPLAY VARIN

    STOP RUN.