# OPEN: SIGN Specifier

The SIGN specifier controls the optional plus characters in formatted numeric output created during the connection. It takes the following form:

SIGN = sn

sn | Is a scalar default character expression that evaluates to one of the following values:
'PLUS' | Indicates that the processor should produce a plus sign in any subsequent position where it would be otherwise optional. This has the same effect as the SP edit descriptor.
'SUPPRESS' | Indicates that the processor should suppress a plus sign in any subsequent position where it would be otherwise optional. This has the same effect as the SS edit descriptor.
'PROCESSOR_DEFINED' | Indicates that the processor determines whether a plus sign is added in any subsequent position where it would be otherwise optional. This has the same effect as the S edit descriptor.

The default is 'PROCESSOR_DEFINED'.

The setting can be overwritten by a SIGN= specifier in a WRITE statement.

This specifier is not allowed on unformatted input or output.

Parent topic: OPEN Statement Specifiers