DSXchange

We are currently working on an extract program wherein part of the input
are fields where the picture clause contains a negative or positive sign
[ex: PIC -9(7)V99]. In traditional COBOL, this is a valid picture clause
for numeric literals.

During the copybook import process in DataStage though, this was not
accepted. We received this error message.
'PIC' picture clause contains unsupported editing character

(This isn't really a Parallel Extender question!) Hopefully the site admin will move it to the correct forum, perhaps DataStage.

Surely PIC 9(7)V99 allows for positive or negative numbers. The workaround is simply to edit the copybook so that the - does not appear. And, perhaps, increase the magnitude to PIC 9(8)V99 just in case.

You should report this apparent deficiency to Ascential so that they can correct the import process.