Internal handling of numeric data in Cobol

        I have recently been told that    "COBOL programs run more
efficiently when numeric fields are defined as odd length.  The COBOL
compiler generates more machine instructions to manipulate an even length
numeric field than an odd length numeric field.  COBOL uses packed decimal
internally for handling data.  Before a COBOL program can manipulate or use
an even length numeric field, it has to run a series of machine instructions
to add an extra byte to the field.  This is a waste of CPU time, causes the
program to run slower, and creates a larger program in size."
        Can anyone confirm or dispute this for me?  We are creating a
reference file and the answer to this question will determine how we define
our numeric fields.

Thanks,

Greg Spohr
Business Systems Development Manager
Dot Foods, Inc.
Route 99 South, Mt. Sterling, IL   62353
(217) 773-4411 ext. 2651
Fax: (217) 773-2249
gspohr@dotfoods.com
www.dotfoods.com