I am reading through a legacy 4GL script. In the report section I came across the following:

```
int_type_variable USING “<<<&”

```

I understand this is supposed to convert the integer into a String using the String formatter.
According to [IBM Informix page](https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/en/SSGU8G_14.1.0/com.ibm.dapip.doc/ids_dapip_0128.htm),

**<** : This character left-justifies the numbers in the display field. It changes leading zeros to a null string.

**&** : This character fills with zeros any positions in the display field that would otherwise be blank.

The int\_type\_variable is generally 4 digit. I'm confused what it is supposed to do. 

I would be grateful, if someone could explain with an example.