• SIGN condition tests the sign (positive, negative, or zero) of the data in numeric variables.
• It is mainly useful when we need to check the nature of the value (positive, negative, or zero) and then perform specific operations based on outcome.

Syntax -

variable IS [NOT] {POSITIVE | NEGATIVE | ZERO}

Parameters -

• variable - Specifies numeric variable we want to test.
• POSITIVE - Checks if the variable holds a positive value. Zero is not considered as positive.
• NEGATIVE - Checks if the variable holds a negative value.
• ZERO - Checks if the value is zero.
• NOT - Checks if the variable holds the value other than coded. For example - not positive, not negative, or not zero.

Examples -

Scenario1 - Testing for Positive Value.

WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
01 WS-SALARY       PIC S9(5)V99 VALUE 10000.   
...
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
    IF WS-SALARY IS POSITIVE
       DISPLAY 'The salary is positive'
    ELSE
       DISPLAY 'The salary is not positive'
	END-IF.

Output -

The salary is positive

Scenario2 - Testing for Negative Value.

WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
01 WS-BALANCE       PIC S9(5)V99 VALUE -1000.   
...
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
    IF WS-BALANCE IS NEGATIVE
       DISPLAY 'The balance is negative'
    ELSE
       DISPLAY 'The balance is not negative'
	END-IF.

Output -

The balance is not negative

Scenario3 - Testing for Zero Value.

WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
01 WS-COUNT       PIC 9(3) VALUE 0.   
...
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
    IF WS-COUNT IS ZERO
       DISPLAY 'No items to process'
    ELSE
       DISPLAY 'Processing ', COUNT, ' items'
	END-IF.

Output -

The balance is not negative

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