/sys$common/syshlp/helplib.hlb BASIC, /DECIMAL_SIZE  *Conan The Librarian (sorry for the slow response - running on an old VAX)

   The /DECIMAL_SIZE qualifier lets you specify the default size  for  packed
   decimal  data.   You  specify the total number of digits in the number and
   the number of digits to the right of the decimal point.

   The format of the /DECIMAL_SIZE qualifier is as follows:

      /DECIMAL_SIZE=(d,s)

      where:

      d              Is the total number of digits in the number.

      s              Is the number of digits to  the  right  of  the  decimal
                     point.

   The default decimal size applies to all decimal variables  for  which  the
   total  number  of  digits and digits to the right of the decimal point are
   not explicitly declared.  See the Compaq BASIC for OpenVMS Alpha  and  VAX
   Systems  Reference  Manual  for  more  information  about  packed  decimal
   numbers.

   The default is /DECIMAL_SIZE = (15, 2).