Zone (Z)

The Z entry indicates that the zone portion of the character is to be tested. The zone entry causes the four high-order bits of the character entry to be compared with the zone portion of the character in the record position specified in the position entry. The following three special cases are exceptions:

• The hexadecimal representation of an & (ampersand) is 50. However, when an ampersand is coded in the character entry, it is treated as if its hexadecimal representation were C®0, that is, as if it had the same zone as A through I. An ampersand in the input data satisfies two zone checks: one for a hexadecimal 5 zone, the other for a hexadecimal C zone.
• The hexadecimal representation of a - (minus sign) is 60. However, when a minus sign is coded in the character entry, it is treated as if its hexadecimal representation were D0, that is, as if it had the same zone as J through R. A minus sign in the input data satisfies two zone checks: one for a hexadecimal 6 zone, the other for a hexadecimal D zone.
• The hexadecimal representation of a blank is 40. However, when a blank is coded in the character entry, it is treated as if its hexadecimal representation were F0, that is, as if it had the same zone as 0 through 9. A blank in the input data satisfies two zone checks: one for a hexadecimal 4 zone, the other for a hexadecimal F zone.