Enterprise COBOL for z/OS and OS/390


Programming Guide
Version 3 Release 2

SC27-1412-01
Enterprise COBOL for z/OS and OS/390


Programming Guide
Version 3 Release 2

SC27-1412-01
 Note!
Before using this information and the product it supports, be sure to read the general information under “Notices” on
page 699.

Second Edition (September 2002)

This edition applies to Version 3 Release 2 of IBM Enterprise COBOL for z/OS and OS/390 (program number
5655-G53) and to all subsequent releases and modifications until otherwise indicated in new editions. Make sure
that you are using the correct edition for the level of the product.
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© Copyright International Business Machines Corporation 1991, 2002. All rights reserved.
US Government Users Restricted Rights – Use, duplication or disclosure restricted by GSA ADP Schedule Contract
with IBM Corp.
Contents
About this document . . . . . . . . xiii Using WITH NO ADVANCING . . . . . . 31
How this document will help you . . . . . . xiii Using intrinsic functions (built-in functions) . . . 32
Abbreviated terms . . . . . . . . . . . . xiii Types of intrinsic functions . . . . . . . . 32
Comparison of commonly used terms . . . . . xiv Nesting functions . . . . . . . . . . . 33
How to read syntax diagrams . . . . . . . . xiv Using tables (arrays) and pointers . . . . . . . 33
How examples are shown . . . . . . . . . xv Storage and its addressability . . . . . . . . 33
Summary of changes . . . . . . . . . . . xvi Settings for RMODE . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Version 3 Release 2 (September 2002) . . . . xvi Storage restrictions for passing data . . . . . 34
Version 3 Release 1 (November 2001) . . . . xvii Location of data areas . . . . . . . . . 35
How to send your comments . . . . . . . . xviii Storage for external data . . . . . . . . . 35
Storage for QSAM input-output buffers . . . . 35

Part 1. Coding your program . . . . 1

Chapter 3. Working with numbers and
arithmetic . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Chapter 1. Structuring your program . . 5
Defining numeric data. . . . . . . . . . . 37
Identifying a program . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Displaying numeric data . . . . . . . . . . 38
Identifying a program as recursive . . . . . . 6
Controlling how numeric data is stored . . . . . 39
Marking a program as callable by containing
Formats for numeric data. . . . . . . . . . 40
programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
External decimal (DISPLAY) items . . . . . . 40
Setting a program to an initial state. . . . . . 6
External floating-point (DISPLAY) items . . . . 40
Changing the header of a source listing . . . . 7
Binary (COMP) items . . . . . . . . . . 41
Describing the computing environment . . . . . 7
Native binary (COMP-5) items . . . . . . . 41
Example: FILE-CONTROL entries . . . . . . 8
Packed-decimal (COMP-3) items . . . . . . 42
Specifying the collating sequence . . . . . . 8
Floating-point (COMP-1 and COMP-2) items . . 42
Defining symbolic characters . . . . . . . . 9
Examples: numeric data and internal
Defining a user-defined class . . . . . . . 10
representation . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Defining files to the operating system . . . . 10
Data format conversions . . . . . . . . . . 43
Describing the data . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Conversions and precision . . . . . . . . 44
Using data in input and output operations . . . 12
Sign representation and processing . . . . . . 45
Comparison of WORKING-STORAGE and
NUMPROC(PFD) . . . . . . . . . . . 45
LOCAL-STORAGE . . . . . . . . . . . 14
NUMPROC(NOPFD) . . . . . . . . . . 45
Using data from another program . . . . . . 16
NUMPROC(MIG) . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Processing the data . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Checking for incompatible data (numeric class test) 46
How logic is divided in the PROCEDURE
Performing arithmetic . . . . . . . . . . . 47
DIVISION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
COMPUTE and other arithmetic statements . . 47
Declaratives . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Arithmetic expressions . . . . . . . . . 47
Numeric intrinsic functions . . . . . . . . 48
Chapter 2. Using data . . . . . . . . 23 Math and date Language Environment services 49
Using variables, structures, literals, and constants . 23 Examples: numeric intrinsic functions . . . . 51
Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Fixed-point versus floating-point arithmetic . . . 53
Data structure: data items and group items . . . 23 Floating-point evaluations . . . . . . . . 53
Literals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Fixed-point evaluations . . . . . . . . . 54
Constants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Arithmetic comparisons (relation conditions) . . 54
Figurative constants . . . . . . . . . . 24 Examples: fixed-point and floating-point
Assigning values to data items . . . . . . . . 25 evaluations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Examples: initializing variables . . . . . . . 25 Using currency signs . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Initializing a structure (INITIALIZE) . . . . . 27 Example: multiple currency signs . . . . . . 56
Assigning values to variables or structures
(MOVE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Chapter 4. Handling tables . . . . . . 59
Assigning arithmetic results (MOVE or
Defining a table (OCCURS) . . . . . . . . . 59
COMPUTE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Nesting tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Assigning input from a screen or file (ACCEPT) 29
Subscripting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Displaying values on a screen or in a file (DISPLAY) 30
Indexing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Displaying data on the system logical output
Referring to an item in a table . . . . . . . . 61
device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Subscripting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 iii

 Indexing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 National data items . . . . . . . . . . 105
Putting values into a table . . . . . . . . . 64 National literals . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Loading a table dynamically. . . . . . . . 64 National characters as figurative constants . . 106
Initializing a table (INITIALIZE) . . . . . . 64 Storage of national data . . . . . . . . . 106
Assigning values when you define a table Converting national data . . . . . . . . . 107
(VALUE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Converting alphanumeric and integer to
Example: PERFORM and subscripting . . . . 66 national data (MOVE) . . . . . . . . . 107
Example: PERFORM and indexing. . . . . . 67 Converting alphanumeric to national data
Creating variable-length tables (DEPENDING ON) 68 (NATIONAL-OF) . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Loading a variable-length table . . . . . . . 69 Converting national to alphanumeric data
Assigning values to a variable-length table . . . 70 (DISPLAY-OF) . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Searching a table . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Conversion exceptions . . . . . . . . . 108
Doing a serial search (SEARCH) . . . . . . 71 Example: converting national data . . . . . 108
Doing a binary search (SEARCH ALL) . . . . 72 Processing UTF-8 data . . . . . . . . . . 109
Processing table items using intrinsic functions . . 73 Processing Chinese GB 18030 data . . . . . . 110
Example: intrinsic functions . . . . . . . . 73 Comparing national data items . . . . . . . 110
Comparing national operands . . . . . . . 111
Chapter 5. Selecting and repeating Comparing national and numeric operands . . 111
program actions . . . . . . . . . . 75 Comparing national and alphabetic or
alphanumeric operands . . . . . . . . . 111
Selecting program actions . . . . . . . . . 75
Comparing national and group operands . . . 111
Coding a choice of actions . . . . . . . . 75
Processing alphanumeric data items that contain
Coding conditional expressions . . . . . . . 79
DBCS data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Repeating program actions . . . . . . . . . 82
Choosing inline or out-of-line PERFORM . . . 83
Coding a loop . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Chapter 8. Processing files . . . . . 113
Coding a loop through a table . . . . . . . 85 File organization and input-output devices . . . 113
Executing multiple paragraphs or sections . . . 85 Choosing file organization and access mode . . . 115
Format for coding input and output . . . . . 116
Chapter 6. Handling strings . . . . . . 87 Allocating files . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Checking for input or output errors . . . . . . 118
Joining data items (STRING) . . . . . . . . 87
Example: STRING statement. . . . . . . . 87
Splitting data items (UNSTRING) . . . . . . . 89 Chapter 9. Processing QSAM files . . 119
Example: UNSTRING statement . . . . . . 89 Defining QSAM files and records in COBOL . . . 119
Manipulating null-terminated strings . . . . . . 91 Establishing record formats. . . . . . . . 120
Example: null-terminated strings . . . . . . 92 Setting block sizes . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Referring to substrings of data items . . . . . . 92 Coding input and output statements for QSAM
Reference modifiers. . . . . . . . . . . 93 files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Example: arithmetic expressions as reference Opening QSAM files . . . . . . . . . . 130
modifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Dynamically creating QSAM files with
Example: intrinsic functions as reference CBLQDA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
modifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Adding records to QSAM files. . . . . . . 131
Tallying and replacing data items (INSPECT) . . . 95 Updating QSAM files . . . . . . . . . 131
Examples: INSPECT statement . . . . . . . 95 Writing QSAM files to a printer or spooled data
Converting data items (intrinsic functions) . . . . 96 set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Converting to uppercase or lowercase Closing QSAM files . . . . . . . . . . 132
(UPPER-CASE, LOWER-CASE) . . . . . . . 97 Handling errors in QSAM files . . . . . . . 133
Converting to reverse order (REVERSE) . . . . 97 Working with QSAM files . . . . . . . . . 133
Converting to numbers (NUMVAL, NUMVAL-C) 97 Defining and allocating QSAM files . . . . . 134
Converting from one code page to another . . . 98 Retrieving QSAM files . . . . . . . . . 136
Evaluating data items (intrinsic functions) . . . . 99 Ensuring file attributes match your program 137
Evaluating single characters for collating Using striped extended-format QSAM data sets 139
sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Accessing HFS files using QSAM . . . . . . . 140
Finding the largest or smallest data item . . . 99 Labels for QSAM files . . . . . . . . . . 141
Finding the length of data items . . . . . . 101 Using trailer and header labels . . . . . . 141
Finding the date of compilation . . . . . . 101 Format of standard labels . . . . . . . . 143
Processing QSAM ASCII files on tape . . . . . 143
Chapter 7. Coding for run-time use of Requesting the ASCII alphabet . . . . . . 144
Defining the record formats . . . . . . . 144
national languages . . . . . . . . . 103 Defining the ddname . . . . . . . . . . 144
Unicode and encoding of language characters . . 105 Processing ASCII file labels . . . . . . . . . 145
Using national data (Unicode) in COBOL . . . . 105

iv Programming Guide
Chapter 10. Processing VSAM files 147 Sorting variable-length records . . . . . . . 186
VSAM files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 Requesting the sort or merge . . . . . . . . 186
Defining VSAM file organization and records . . 149 Setting sort or merge criteria . . . . . . . 187
Specifying sequential organization for VSAM Example: sorting with input and output
files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Specifying indexed organization for VSAM files 150 Choosing alternate collating sequences . . . . 188
Specifying relative organization for VSAM files 151 Sorting on windowed date fields . . . . . . 189
Specifying access modes for VSAM files . . . 153 Preserving the original sequence of records with
Defining record lengths for VSAM files. . . . 154 equal keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Coding input and output statements for VSAM Determining whether the sort or merge was
files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 successful . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
File position indicator . . . . . . . . . 157 Stopping a sort or merge operation prematurely 190
Opening a file (ESDS, KSDS, or RRDS) . . . . 157 Improving sort performance with FASTSRT . . . 191
Reading records from a VSAM file . . . . . 159 FASTSRT requirements for JCL . . . . . . 191
Updating records in a VSAM file . . . . . . 160 FASTSRT requirements for sort input and
Adding records to a VSAM file . . . . . . 161 output files . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Replacing records in a VSAM file. . . . . . 162 Checking for sort errors with NOFASTSRT . . . 193
Deleting records from a VSAM file . . . . . 162 Controlling sort behavior . . . . . . . . . 193
Closing VSAM files . . . . . . . . . . 162 Sort special registers . . . . . . . . . . 194
Handling errors in VSAM files . . . . . . . 163 Changing DFSORT defaults with control
Protecting VSAM files with a password . . . . 164 statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Example: password protection for a VSAM Allocating storage for sort or merge operations 195
indexed file . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164 Allocating space for sort files . . . . . . . 196
Working with VSAM data sets under z/OS and Using checkpoint/restart with DFSORT . . . . 196
UNIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 Sorting under CICS . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Defining VSAM files . . . . . . . . . . 165 CICS SORT application restrictions . . . . . 197
Creating alternate indexes . . . . . . . . 166
Allocating VSAM files . . . . . . . . . 168 Chapter 13. Processing XML
Sharing VSAM files through RLS . . . . . . 170 documents . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Improving VSAM performance . . . . . . . 171 XML parser in COBOL . . . . . . . . . . 199
Accessing XML documents . . . . . . . . . 201
Chapter 11. Processing line-sequential Parsing XML documents . . . . . . . . . 201
files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 Processing XML events . . . . . . . . . 202
Defining line-sequential files and records in Writing procedures to process XML . . . . . 208
COBOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 Understanding XML document encoding . . . . 213
Allowable control characters . . . . . . . 174 Specifying the code page . . . . . . . . 214
Describing the structure of a line-sequential file 174 Parsing documents in other code pages. . . . 214
Defining and allocating line-sequential files . . . 175 Handling errors in XML documents . . . . . . 215
Coding input-output statements for line-sequential Unhandled exceptions . . . . . . . . . 216
files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 Handling exceptions . . . . . . . . . . 216
Opening line-sequential files . . . . . . . 176 Terminating the parse . . . . . . . . . 217
Reading records from line-sequential files . . . 176 CCSID conflict exception . . . . . . . . 217
Adding records to line-sequential files . . . . 177
Closing line-sequential files. . . . . . . . 177 Chapter 14. Handling errors . . . . . 221
Handling errors in line-sequential files . . . . . 178 Requesting dumps . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Creating a formatted dump. . . . . . . . 221
Chapter 12. Sorting and merging files 179 Creating a system dump . . . . . . . . 222
Sort and merge process . . . . . . . . . . 180 Handling errors in joining and splitting strings . . 222
Describing the sort or merge file . . . . . . . 180 Handling errors in arithmetic operations . . . . 223
Describing the input to sorting or merging . . . 181 Example: checking for division by zero . . . . 223
Example: describing sort and input files for Handling errors in input and output operations 223
SORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 Using the end-of-file condition (AT END) . . . 226
Coding the input procedure . . . . . . . . 182 Coding ERROR declaratives . . . . . . . 227
Describing the output from sorting or merging . . 183 Using file status keys . . . . . . . . . . 228
Coding the output procedure . . . . . . . . 183 Example: file status key . . . . . . . . . 229
Coding considerations when using DFSORT . . 184 Using VSAM return codes (VSAM files only) 229
Example: coding the output procedure when Example: checking VSAM status codes . . . . 230
using DFSORT . . . . . . . . . . . . 184 Coding INVALID KEY phrases . . . . . . 231
Restrictions on input and output procedures . . . 185 Example: FILE STATUS and INVALID KEY . . 232
Defining sort and merge data sets . . . . . . 185 Handling errors when calling programs . . . . 233

Contents v
Writing routines for handling errors . . . . . . 233 Chapter 17. Compiling, linking, and
running OO applications . . . . . . 277
Part 2. Compiling and debugging Compiling, linking, and running OO applications
your program . . . . . . . . . . 235 under UNIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Compiling OO applications under UNIX . . . 277
Preparing OO applications under UNIX . . . 278
Chapter 15. Compiling under z/OS 237 Example: compiling and linking a COBOL class
Compiling with JCL . . . . . . . . . . . 237 definition under UNIX . . . . . . . . . 279
Using a cataloged procedure . . . . . . . 238 Running OO applications under UNIX . . . . 279
Writing JCL to compile programs. . . . . . 248 Compiling, linking, and running OO applications
Compiling under TSO . . . . . . . . . . 249 using JCL or TSO/E . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Example: ALLOCATE and CALL for compiling Compiling OO applications using JCL or TSO/E 281
under TSO . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250 Preparing and running OO applications using
Example: CLIST for compiling under TSO . . . 250 JCL or TSO/E . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Starting the compiler from an assembler program 251 Example: compiling, linking, and running an
Defining compiler input and output . . . . . . 252 OO application using JCL . . . . . . . . 283
Data sets used by the compiler under z/OS . . 253
Defining the source code data set (SYSIN) . . . 255
Chapter 18. Compiler options . . . . 287
Specifying source libraries (SYSLIB) . . . . . 255
Option settings for COBOL 85 Standard
Defining the output data set (SYSPRINT) . . . 256
conformance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Directing compiler messages to your terminal
Conflicting compiler options . . . . . . . . 289
(SYSTERM) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
ADATA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Creating object code (SYSLIN or SYSPUNCH) 256
ADV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Creating an associated data file (SYSADATA) 257
ARITH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Defining the output Java data set (SYSJAVA) 257
AWO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Defining the debug data set (SYSDEBUG) . . . 257
BUFSIZE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Specifying compiler options under z/OS . . . . 258
CICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Specifying compiler options with the PROCESS
CODEPAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
(CBL) statement . . . . . . . . . . . 258
COMPILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Example: specifying compiler options using JCL 259
CURRENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Example: specifying compiler options under
DATA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
TSO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
DATEPROC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Compiler options and compiler output under
DBCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
z/OS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
DECK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Compiling multiple programs (batch compilation) 261
DIAGTRUNC . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Example: batch compilation . . . . . . . 261
DLL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Specifying compiler options in a batch
DUMP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
compilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
DYNAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Example: precedence of options in a batch
EXIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
compilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
EXPORTALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Example: LANGUAGE option in a batch
FASTSRT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
compilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
FLAG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Correcting errors in your source program . . . . 265
FLAGSTD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Generating a list of compiler error messages . . 265
INTDATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Messages and listings for compiler-detected
LANGUAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
LIB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Format of compiler error messages . . . . . 266
LINECOUNT . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Severity codes for compiler error messages . . 267
LIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Chapter 16. Compiling under UNIX 269 NAME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Setting environment variables under UNIX . . . 269 NSYMBOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Specifying compiler options under UNIX . . . . 270 NUMBER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Compiling and linking with the cob2 command 271 NUMPROC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Defining input and output . . . . . . . . 271 OBJECT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Creating a DLL . . . . . . . . . . . . 272 OFFSET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Example: using cob2 to compile under UNIX 272 OPTIMIZE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
cob2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273 Unused data items . . . . . . . . . . 312
cob2 input and output files . . . . . . . . 274 OUTDD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Compiling using scripts . . . . . . . . . . 275 PGMNAME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
PGMNAME(COMPAT) . . . . . . . . . 314

vi Programming Guide
 PGMNAME(LONGUPPER). . . . . . . . 314 Chapter 20. Developing COBOL
PGMNAME(LONGMIXED) . . . . . . . 315 programs for CICS . . . . . . . . . 375
QUOTE/APOST . . . . . . . . . . . . 316 Coding COBOL programs to run under CICS . . 375
RENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316 Coding file input and output . . . . . . . 376
RMODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317 Retrieving the system date and time. . . . . 376
SEQUENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318 Displaying the contents of data items . . . . 377
SIZE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318 Calling to or from COBOL programs . . . . 377
SOURCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319 Coding nested programs . . . . . . . . 377
SPACE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319 Coding a COBOL program to run above the
SQL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320 16-MB line . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
SSRANGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321 Determining the success of ECI calls. . . . . 378
TERMINAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321 Compiling with the CICS option . . . . . . . 378
TEST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322 Compiling a sequence of programs . . . . . 379
THREAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325 Separating CICS suboptions . . . . . . . 379
TRUNC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326 Integrated CICS translator . . . . . . . . 380
TRUNC example 1 . . . . . . . . . . 327 Using the separate CICS translator . . . . . . 381
TRUNC example 2 . . . . . . . . . . 328 CICS reserved-word table . . . . . . . . . 382
VBREF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329 Handling errors by using CICS HANDLE . . . . 383
WORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329 Example: handling errors by using CICS
XREF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330 HANDLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383
YEARWINDOW . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
ZWB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Compiler-directing statements . . . . . . . . 332
Chapter 21. Programming for a DB2
environment . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
Chapter 19. Debugging . . . . . . . 337 Coding SQL statements . . . . . . . . . . 385
Using SQL INCLUDE with the DB2 coprocessor 385
Debugging with source language . . . . . . . 338
Using character data . . . . . . . . . . 385
Tracing program logic . . . . . . . . . 338
Using binary items . . . . . . . . . . 386
Finding and handling input-output errors . . . 339
Determining the success of SQL statements . . 387
Validating data . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Compiling with the SQL option . . . . . . . 387
Finding uninitialized data . . . . . . . . 339
Compiling in batch . . . . . . . . . . 388
Generating information about procedures . . . 340
Separating DB2 suboptions . . . . . . . . 388
Debugging using compiler options . . . . . . 341
DB2 coprocessor . . . . . . . . . . . 388
Finding coding errors . . . . . . . . . 342
Finding line sequence problems . . . . . . 343
Checking for valid ranges . . . . . . . . 343 Chapter 22. Developing COBOL
Selecting the level of error to be diagnosed . . 344 programs for IMS. . . . . . . . . . 391
Finding program entity definitions and Compiling and linking COBOL programs for
references . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345 running under IMS . . . . . . . . . . . 391
Listing data items . . . . . . . . . . . 346 Using object-oriented COBOL and Java under IMS 392
Getting listings . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347 Calling a COBOL method from an IMS Java
Example: short listing . . . . . . . . . 348 application . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392
Example: SOURCE and NUMBER output . . . 351 Building a mixed COBOL and Java application
Example: embedded map summary . . . . . 353 that starts with COBOL . . . . . . . . . 393
Terms used in MAP output. . . . . . . . 354 Writing mixed-language applications . . . . 394
Symbols used in LIST and MAP output . . . 354
Example: nested program map . . . . . . 356 Chapter 23. Running COBOL
Reading LIST output . . . . . . . . . . 356 programs under UNIX . . . . . . . . 397
Example: XREF output - data-name
Running in UNIX environments . . . . . . . 397
cross-references. . . . . . . . . . . . 368
Setting and accessing environment variables . . . 398
Example: XREF output - program-name
Setting environment variables that affect
cross-references. . . . . . . . . . . . 369
execution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398
Example: embedded cross-reference . . . . . 369
Resetting environment variables . . . . . . 399
Example: OFFSET compiler output . . . . . 370
Accessing environment variables . . . . . . 399
Example: VBREF compiler output . . . . . 371
Example: accessing environment variables . . . 400
Preparing to use the debugger. . . . . . . . 371
Calling UNIX/POSIX APIs . . . . . . . . . 400
fork(), exec(), and spawn() . . . . . . . . 400
Part 3. Targeting COBOL programs Samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401
for certain environments . . . . . 373 Accessing main program parameters . . . . . 402
Example: accessing main program parameters 402

Contents vii
Part 4. Structuring complex Using DLLs in OO COBOL applications . . . . 446

applications . . . . . . . . . . . 405
Chapter 27. Preparing COBOL
programs for multithreading . . . . . 449
Chapter 24. Using subprograms . . . 407
Multithreading . . . . . . . . . . . . . 449
Main programs, subprograms, and calls . . . . 408
Choosing THREAD to support multithreading . . 451
Ending and reentering main programs or
Transferring control with multithreading . . . . 451
subprograms . . . . . . . . . . . . . 408
Using cancel with threaded programs . . . . 451
Transferring control to another program . . . . 410
Ending a program . . . . . . . . . . . 451
Making static calls. . . . . . . . . . . 410
Preinitializing the COBOL environment . . . 452
Making dynamic calls . . . . . . . . . 411
Processing files with multithreading . . . . . . 452
Performance considerations of static and
File definition storage . . . . . . . . . 452
dynamic calls . . . . . . . . . . . . 413
Recommended usage for file access . . . . . 453
Making both static and dynamic calls . . . . 414
Example: usage patterns of file input and
Examples: static and dynamic CALL statements 414
output with multithreading. . . . . . . . 453
Calling nested COBOL programs . . . . . . 416
Handling COBOL limitations with multithreading 454
Making recursive calls . . . . . . . . . . 419
Calling to and from object-oriented programs . . 419
Using procedure and function pointers . . . . . 420 Part 5. Developing object-oriented
Deciding which type of pointer to use . . . . 421 programs . . . . . . . . . . . . 457
Calling a C function pointer . . . . . . . 421
Calling to alternate entry points . . . . . . 421
Chapter 28. Writing object-oriented
Making programs reentrant . . . . . . . . 422
programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 459
Example: accounts. . . . . . . . . . . . 460
Chapter 25. Sharing data . . . . . . 423
Subclasses . . . . . . . . . . . . . 461
Passing data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 423
Defining a class . . . . . . . . . . . . 462
Describing arguments in the calling program 424
CLASS-ID paragraph for defining a class . . . 464
Describing parameters in the called program 425
REPOSITORY paragraph for defining a class 464
Testing for OMITTED arguments . . . . . . 425
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION for defining
Coding the LINKAGE SECTION . . . . . . . 425
class instance data . . . . . . . . . . . 466
Coding the PROCEDURE DIVISION for passing
Example: defining a class . . . . . . . . 467
arguments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 426
Defining a class instance method . . . . . . . 467
Grouping data to be passed . . . . . . . 426
METHOD-ID paragraph for defining a class
Handling null-terminated strings . . . . . . 426
instance method . . . . . . . . . . . 468
Using pointers to process a chained list . . . 427
INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION for defining a class
Passing return code information . . . . . . . 430
instance method . . . . . . . . . . . 469
Understanding the RETURN-CODE special
DATA DIVISION for defining a class instance
register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 430
method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 469
Using PROCEDURE DIVISION RETURNING . .
PROCEDURE DIVISION for defining a class
.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 431
instance method . . . . . . . . . . . 470
Specifying CALL . . . RETURNING . . . . . 431
Overriding an instance method . . . . . . 471
Sharing data by using the EXTERNAL clause. . . 431
Overloading an instance method . . . . . . 472
Sharing files between programs (external files) . . 432
Coding attribute (get and set) methods . . . . 473
Example: using external files . . . . . . . 432
Example: defining a method . . . . . . . 474
Defining a client . . . . . . . . . . . . 475
Chapter 26. Creating a DLL or a DLL REPOSITORY paragraph for defining a client 477
application . . . . . . . . . . . . 437 DATA DIVISION for defining a client . . . . 478
Dynamic link libraries (DLLs) . . . . . . . . 437 Comparing and setting object references . . . 479
Compiling programs to create DLLs . . . . . . 438 Invoking methods (INVOKE) . . . . . . . 480
Linking DLLs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 439 Creating and initializing instances of classes . . 482
Example: sample JCL for a procedural DLL Freeing instances of classes . . . . . . . . 483
application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440 Example: defining a client . . . . . . . . 484
Prelinking certain DLLs . . . . . . . . . . 441 Defining a subclass . . . . . . . . . . . 484
Using CALL identifier with DLLs . . . . . . 441 CLASS-ID paragraph for defining a subclass 485
Search order for DLLs in HFS . . . . . . . 442 REPOSITORY paragraph for defining a subclass 486
Using DLL linkage and dynamic calls together . . 442 WORKING-STORAGE SECTION for defining
Using procedure or function pointers with DLLs 443 subclass instance data . . . . . . . . . 486
Calling DLLs from non-DLLs . . . . . . . 444 Defining a subclass instance method . . . . 487
Example: calling DLLs from non-DLLs . . . . 444 Example: defining a subclass (with methods) 487
Using COBOL DLLs with C/C++ programs . . . 446 Defining a factory section . . . . . . . . . 488

viii Programming Guide

 WORKING-STORAGE SECTION for defining Manipulating literals as dates . . . . . . . . 537
factory data . . . . . . . . . . . . . 489 Assumed century window . . . . . . . . 538
Defining a factory method . . . . . . . . 489 Treatment of nondates . . . . . . . . . 539
Example: defining a factory (with methods) . . 492 Setting triggers and limits . . . . . . . . . 539
Wrapping procedure-oriented COBOL programs 497 Example: using limits . . . . . . . . . 540
Structuring OO applications . . . . . . . . 498 Using sign conditions . . . . . . . . . 541
Examples: COBOL applications that you can run Sorting and merging by date . . . . . . . . 541
using the java command . . . . . . . . 498 Example: sorting by date and time . . . . . 542
Performing arithmetic on date fields. . . . . . 543
Chapter 29. Communicating with Java Allowing for overflow from windowed date
methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . 501 fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 543
Specifying the order of evaluation . . . . . 544
Accessing JNI services . . . . . . . . . . 501
Controlling date processing explicitly . . . . . 545
Handling Java exceptions . . . . . . . . 502
Using DATEVAL . . . . . . . . . . . 545
Managing local and global references . . . . 504
Using UNDATE . . . . . . . . . . . 545
Java access controls . . . . . . . . . . 505
Example: DATEVAL . . . . . . . . . . 546
Sharing data with Java . . . . . . . . . . 505
Example: UNDATE . . . . . . . . . . 546
Coding interoperable data types in COBOL and
Analyzing and avoiding date-related diagnostic
Java . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 506
messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 546
Declaring arrays and strings for Java . . . . 506
Avoiding problems in processing dates . . . . . 548
Manipulating Java arrays . . . . . . . . 507
Avoiding problems with packed-decimal fields 548
Manipulating Java strings . . . . . . . . 510
Moving from expanded to windowed date fields 548
Example: J2EE client written in COBOL . . . . 512
COBOL client (ConverterClient.cbl) . . . . . 512
Java client (ConverterClient.java) . . . . . . 515 Part 7. Improving performance and
productivity . . . . . . . . . . . 551
Part 6. Specialized processing . . 517
Chapter 32. Tuning your program . . . 553
Chapter 30. Interrupts and Using an optimal programming style . . . . . 553
checkpoint/restart . . . . . . . . . 519 Using structured programming . . . . . . 554
Setting checkpoints . . . . . . . . . . . 519 Factoring expressions. . . . . . . . . . 554
Designing checkpoints . . . . . . . . . 520 Using symbolic constants . . . . . . . . 554
Testing for a successful checkpoint . . . . . 520 Grouping constant computations . . . . . . 554
DD statements for defining checkpoint data sets 521 Grouping duplicate computations . . . . . 555
Messages generated during checkpoint . . . . 522 Choosing efficient data types . . . . . . . . 555
Restarting programs . . . . . . . . . . . 522 Computational data items . . . . . . . . 555
Requesting automatic restart . . . . . . . 523 Consistent data types. . . . . . . . . . 556
Requesting deferred restart . . . . . . . . 523 Arithmetic expressions . . . . . . . . . 556
Formats for requesting deferred restart . . . . 524 Exponentiations . . . . . . . . . . . 556
Resubmitting jobs for restart . . . . . . . 525 Handling tables efficiently . . . . . . . . . 557
Example: restarting a job at a specific Optimization of table references . . . . . . 558
checkpoint step. . . . . . . . . . . . 525 Optimizing your code . . . . . . . . . . 560
Example: requesting a step restart . . . . . 525 Optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . 560
Example: resubmitting a job for a step restart 525 Example: PERFORM procedure integration . . 562
Example: resubmitting a job for a checkpoint Choosing compiler features to enhance
restart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 526 performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 562
Performance-related compiler options . . . . 563
Evaluating performance . . . . . . . . . 566
Chapter 31. Processing two-digit-year Running efficiently with CICS, IMS, or VSAM . . 566
dates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 527 CICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 566
Millennium language extensions (MLE) . . . . 528 IMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 567
Principles and objectives of these extensions . . 528 VSAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 567
Resolving date-related logic problems . . . . . 529
Using a century window . . . . . . . . 530 Chapter 33. Simplifying coding . . . . 569
Using internal bridging . . . . . . . . . 531
Eliminating repetitive coding . . . . . . . . 569
Moving to full field expansion. . . . . . . 532
Example: using the COPY statement. . . . . 570
Using year-first, year-only, and year-last date fields 534
Using Language Environment callable services . . 571
Compatible dates . . . . . . . . . . . 535
Sample list of Language Environment callable
Example: comparing year-first date fields . . . 536
services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 572
Using other date formats . . . . . . . . 536
Calling Language Environment services . . . 573
Example: isolating the year . . . . . . . . 536

Contents ix
 Example: Language Environment callable Calling from exit modules . . . . . . . . . 613
services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 573 Processing of INEXIT. . . . . . . . . . . 613
Parameter list for INEXIT . . . . . . . . 613
Processing of LIBEXIT . . . . . . . . . . 614
Part 8. Appendixes . . . . . . . . 575
Processing of LIBEXIT with nested COPY
statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . 615
Appendix A. Intermediate results and Parameter list for LIBEXIT . . . . . . . . 616
arithmetic precision . . . . . . . . 577 Processing of PRTEXIT . . . . . . . . . . 617
Terminology used for intermediate results . . . . 578 Parameter list for PRTEXIT . . . . . . . . 617
Example: calculation of intermediate results . . . 579 Processing of ADEXIT . . . . . . . . . . 618
Fixed-point data and intermediate results . . . . 579 Parameter list for ADEXIT . . . . . . . . 619
Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and Error handling for exit modules . . . . . . . 619
division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 579 Using the EXIT compiler option with CICS and
Exponentiation . . . . . . . . . . . . 580 SQL statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . 620
Example: exponentiation in fixed-point INEXIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 620
arithmetic . . . . . . . . . . . . . 581 LIBEXIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 620
Truncated intermediate results. . . . . . . 582 PRTEXIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 620
Binary data and intermediate results . . . . 582 ADEXIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 621
Intrinsic functions evaluated in fixed-point Example: INEXIT user exit . . . . . . . . . 621
arithmetic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 583
Integer functions . . . . . . . . . . . 583 Appendix F. JNI.cpy . . . . . . . . 625
Mixed functions . . . . . . . . . . . 583
Floating-point data and intermediate results . . . 584
Appendix G. COBOL SYSADATA file
Exponentiations evaluated in floating-point
arithmetic . . . . . . . . . . . . . 585 contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . 631
Intrinsic functions evaluated in floating-point Existing compiler options affecting the SYSADATA
arithmetic . . . . . . . . . . . . . 585 file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 631
Arithmetic expressions in nonarithmetic statements 586 Record types . . . . . . . . . . . . . 632
Example: SYSADATA . . . . . . . . . . 633
SYSADATA record descriptions . . . . . . . 634
Appendix B. Complex OCCURS
Common header section . . . . . . . . . . 635
DEPENDING ON . . . . . . . . . . 587 Job identification record - X’0000’. . . . . . . 636
Example: complex ODO . . . . . . . . . . 587 ADATA identification record - X’0001’ . . . . . 637
How length is calculated . . . . . . . . 588 Compilation unit start/end record - X’0002’ . . . 637
Setting values of ODO objects . . . . . . . 588 Options record - X’0010’ . . . . . . . . . . 638
Effects of change in ODO object value . . . . . 588 External symbol record - X’0020’ . . . . . . . 647
Preventing index errors when changing ODO Parse tree record - X’0024’ . . . . . . . . . 648
object value . . . . . . . . . . . . . 589 Token record - X’0030’ . . . . . . . . . . 661
Preventing overlay when adding elements to a Source error record - X’0032’ . . . . . . . . 662
variable table . . . . . . . . . . . . 589 Source record - X’0038’ . . . . . . . . . . 662
COPY REPLACING record - X’0039’. . . . . . 663
Appendix C. Converting double-byte Symbol record - X’0042’ . . . . . . . . . . 664
character set (DBCS) data . . . . . . 593 Symbol cross-reference record - X’0044’ . . . . . 675
DBCS notation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 593 Nested program record - X’0046’ . . . . . . . 676
Alphanumeric to DBCS data conversion Library record - X’0060’ . . . . . . . . . . 677
(IGZCA2D) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 593 Statistics record - X’0090’ . . . . . . . . . 678
IGZCA2D syntax . . . . . . . . . . . 593 EVENTS record - X’0120’ . . . . . . . . . 678
IGZCA2D return codes . . . . . . . . . 594
Example: IGZCA2D . . . . . . . . . . 595 Appendix H. Sample programs . . . . 679
DBCS to alphanumeric data conversion (IGZCD2A) 595 IGYTCARA: batch application . . . . . . . . 679
IGZCD2A syntax . . . . . . . . . . . 595 Input data for IGYTCARA . . . . . . . . 680
IGZCD2A return codes . . . . . . . . . 596 Report produced by IGYTCARA . . . . . . 681
Example: IGZCD2A . . . . . . . . . . 597 Preparing to run IGYTCARA . . . . . . . 682
IGYTCARB: interactive program . . . . . . . 683
Appendix D. XML reference material 599 Preparing to run IGYTCARB . . . . . . . 684
XML exceptions that allow continuation . . . . 599 IGYTSALE: nested program application . . . . 686
XML exceptions that do not allow continuation . . 603 Input data for IGYTSALE . . . . . . . . 687
XML conformance . . . . . . . . . . . . 606 Reports produced by IGYTSALE . . . . . . 689
Preparing to run IGYTSALE . . . . . . . 693
Appendix E. EXIT compiler option . . 611 Language elements and concepts that are
illustrated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 694
Using the user-exit work area . . . . . . . . 612

x Programming Guide
Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 699 Enterprise COBOL for z/OS and OS/390 . . . . 725
Trademarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 700 Related publications . . . . . . . . . . . 725

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . 701 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 727

List of resources . . . . . . . . . . 725

Contents xi
xii Programming Guide
About this document
Welcome to IBM Enterprise COBOL for z/OS and OS/390, IBM’s latest host
COBOL compiler!

This version of IBM COBOL adds new COBOL function to help integrate COBOL
business processes and Web-oriented business processes by:
v Simplifying the componentization of COBOL programs and enabling
interoperability with Java components
v Promoting the exchange and usage of data in standardized formats, including
XML and Unicode

How this document will help you

This document will help you write and compile Enterprise COBOL programs. It
will also help you define object-oriented classes and methods, invoke methods, and
refer to objects in your programs.

This document assumes experience in developing application programs and some

knowledge of COBOL. It focuses on using Enterprise COBOL to meet your
programming objectives and not on the definition of the COBOL language. For
complete information on COBOL syntax, see IBM Enterprise COBOL Language
Reference.

For information on migrating programs to Enterprise COBOL, see IBM Enterprise

COBOL Compiler and Run-Time Migration Guide.

IBM z/OS Language Environment provides the run-time environment and

run-time services that are required to run your Enterprise COBOL programs. You
will find information on link-editing and running programs in the IBM z/OS
Language Environment Programming Guide and IBM z/OS Language Environment
Programming Reference.

For a comparison of commonly used Enterprise COBOL and IBM z/OS Language
Environment terms, see “Comparison of commonly used terms” on page xiv.

Abbreviated terms
Certain terms are used in a shortened form in this document. Abbreviations for the
product names used most frequently are listed alphabetically in the following
table:

Term used Long form

CICS CICS Transaction Server
Enterprise COBOL IBM Enterprise COBOL for z/OS and OS/390
Language Environment IBM z/OS Language Environment
MVS MVS/ESA
UNIX z/OS UNIX System Services

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 xiii

 OS/390 Version 2 Release 10 and z/OS Version 1 Release 1 and later are referred to
collectively as “z/OS” throughout this document. The e-server zSeries 900 and the
S/390 hardware are referred to collectively as “z/900.”

In addition to these abbreviated terms, the term “COBOL 85 Standard” is used to

refer to the combination of the following standards:
v ISO 1989:1985, Programming languages - COBOL
v ISO/IEC 1989/AMD1:1992, Programming languages - COBOL - Intrinsic
function module
v ISO/IEC 1989/AMD2:1994, Programming languages - COBOL - Correction and
clarification amendment for COBOL
v ANSI INCITS 23-1985, Programming Languages - COBOL
v ANSI INCITS 23a-1989, Programming Languages - Intrinsic Function Module for
COBOL
v ANSI INCITS 23b-1993, Programming Language - Correction Amendment for
COBOL

The ISO standards are identical to the American National standards.

Other terms, if not commonly understood, are shown in italics the first time that
they appear, and are listed in the glossary at the back of this document.

Comparison of commonly used terms

To better understand the terms used throughout the IBM z/OS Language
Environment and IBM Enterprise COBOL for z/OS and OS/390 publications and
what terms are meant to be equivalent, see the following table:

Language Environment term Enterprise COBOL equivalent

Aggregate Group item
Array A table created using the OCCURS clause
Array element Table element
Enclave Run unit
External data WORKING-STORAGE data defined with EXTERNAL clause
Local data Any non-EXTERNAL data item
Pass parameters directly, by value BY VALUE
Pass parameters indirectly, by BY REFERENCE
reference
Pass parameters indirectly, by value BY CONTENT
Routine Program
Scalar Elementary item

How to read syntax diagrams

The following rules apply to syntax diagrams:
v Read the syntax diagrams from left to right, from top to bottom, following the
path of the line.
The symbol indicates the beginning of a statement.

xiv Programming Guide

 The symbol indicates that the statement syntax is continued on the next
line.
The symbol indicates that a statement is continued from the previous line.
The symbol indicates the end of a statement.
Diagrams of syntactical units other than complete statements start with the
symbol and end with the symbol.
v Required items appear on the horizontal line (the main path):

v Optional items appear below the main path:

v If you can choose from two or more items, they appear vertically, in a stack. If
you must choose one of the items, one item of the stack appears on the main
path:

If choosing one of the items is optional, the entire stack appears below the main
path:

If one of the items is the default, it appears above the main path and the
remaining choices are shown below:

v An arrow returning to the left, above the main line, indicates an item that can be
repeated:

If the repeat arrow contains a comma, you must separate repeated items with a
comma:

v Keywords appear in uppercase (for example, FROM). They must be spelled exactly
as shown. Variables appear in lowercase italics (for example, column-name). They
represent user-supplied names or values.
v If punctuation marks, parentheses, arithmetic operators, or other such symbols
are shown, you must enter them as part of the syntax.

How examples are shown

This document shows numerous examples of sample COBOL statements, program
fragments, and small programs to illustrate the coding techniques being discussed.
The examples of program code are written in lowercase, uppercase, or mixed case
to demonstrate that you can write your programs in any of these ways.

To more clearly separate some examples from the explanatory text, they are
presented in a monospace font.

About this document xv

 COBOL keywords and compiler options that appear in text are generally shown in
SMALL UPPERCASE. Other terms such as program variable names are sometimes
shown in an italic font for clarity.

Summary of changes
This section lists the key changes that have been made to Enterprise COBOL for
z/OS and OS/390. The changes that are discussed in this document have an
associated page reference for your convenience. The latest technical changes are
marked by a revision bar in the left margin.

Version 3 Release 2 (September 2002)

| v The compiler has been enhanced to support new features of Debug Tool, and
| features of Debug Tool Utilities and Advanced Functions:
| – Playback support lets you record and replay application execution paths and
| data values.
| – Automonitor support displays the values of variables that are referenced in
| the current statement during debugging.
| – Programs that have been compiled with the OPTIMIZE and
| TEST(NONE,SYM,. . .) options are supported for debugging (“TEST” on
| page 322).
| – The Debug Tool GOTO command is enabled for programs that have been
| compiled with the NOOPTIMIZE option and the TEST option with any of its
| suboptions (“TEST” on page 322). (In earlier releases, the GOTO command was
| not supported for programs compiled with TEST(NONE,. . .).)

| For further details about these enhancements to debugging support, see Debug
| Tool User’s Guide.
| v Extending Java interoperability to IMS: Object-oriented COBOL programs can
| run in an IMS Java dependent region. The object-oriented COBOL and Java
| languages can be mixed in a single application (“Using object-oriented COBOL
| and Java under IMS” on page 392).
| v Enhanced support for Java interoperability:
| – The OPTIMIZE compiler option is fully supported for programs that contain
| OO syntax for Java interoperability.
| – Object references of type jobjectArray are supported for interoperation
| between COBOL and Java (“Declaring arrays and strings for Java” on
| page 506).
| – OO applications that begin with a COBOL main factory method can be
| invoked with the java command (“Structuring OO applications” on page 498).
| – A new environment variable, COBJVMINITOPTIONS, is provided, enabling
| the user to specify options that will be used when COBOL initializes a Java
| virtual machine (JVM) (“Running OO applications under UNIX” on page 279).
| – OO applications that begin with a COBOL program can, with some
| limitations, be bound as modules in a PDSE and run using batch JCL
| (“Preparing and running OO applications using JCL or TSO/E” on page 282).
| v Unicode enhancement for working with DB2: The code pages for host variables
| are handled implicitly when you use the DB2 integrated coprocessor. SQL
| DECLARE statements are necessary only for variables described with USAGE
| DISPLAY or USAGE DISPLAY-1 when COBOL and DB2 code pages do not match
| (“Coding SQL statements” on page 385).

xvi Programming Guide

Version 3 Release 1 (November 2001)
v Interoperation of COBOL and Java by means of object-oriented syntax,
permitting COBOL programs to instantiate Java classes, invoke methods on Java
objects, and define Java classes that can be instantiated in Java or COBOL and
whose methods can be invoked in Java or COBOL (Chapter 28, “Writing
object-oriented programs” on page 459)
v Ability to call services provided by the Java Native Interface (JNI) to obtain
additional Java capabilities, with a copybook JNI.cpy and special register
JNIEnvPtr to facilitate access (“Accessing JNI services” on page 501)
v XML support, including a high-speed XML parser that allows programs to
consume inbound XML messages, verify that they are well formed, and
transform their contents into COBOL data structures; with support for XML
documents encoded in Unicode UTF-16 or several single-byte EBCDIC or ASCII
code pages (Chapter 13, “Processing XML documents” on page 199)
v Support for compilation of programs that contain CICS statements, without the
need for a separate translation step (“Integrated CICS translator” on page 380)
– Compiler option CICS, enabling integrated CICS translation and specification
of CICS options (“CICS” on page 293)
v Support for Unicode provided by NATIONAL data type and national (N, NX) literals,
intrinsic functions DISPLAY-OF and NATIONAL-OF for character conversions, and
compiler options NSYMBOL and CODEPAGE (Chapter 7, “Coding for run-time use of
national languages” on page 103)
– Compiler option CODEPAGE to specify the code page used for encoding national
literals, and alphanumeric and DBCS data items and literals (“CODEPAGE”
on page 294)
– Compiler option NSYMBOL to control whether national or DBCS processing
should be in effect for literals and data items that use the N symbol
(“NSYMBOL” on page 309)
v Multithreading support: support of POSIX threads and asynchronous signals,
permitting applications with COBOL programs to run on multiple threads
within a process (Chapter 27, “Preparing COBOL programs for multithreading”
on page 449)
– Compiler option THREAD, enabling programs to run in Language Environment
enclaves with multiple POSIX threads or PL/I subtasks (“THREAD” on
page 325)
v VALUE clauses for BINARY data items that permit numeric literals to have a value
of magnitude up to the capacity of the native binary representation, rather than
being limited to the value implied by the number of 9s in the PICTURE clause
(“Formats for numeric data” on page 40)
v A 4-byte FUNCTION-POINTER data item that can contain the address of a COBOL
or non-COBOL entry point, providing easier interoperability with C function
pointers (“Using procedure and function pointers” on page 420)
v The following support is no longer provided (as documented in Enterprise
COBOL Compiler and Run-Time Migration Guide):
– SOM-based object-oriented syntax and services
– Compiler options CMPR2, ANALYZE, FLAGMIG, TYPECHK, and IDLGEN
v Changed default values for the following compiler options: DBCS (“DBCS” on
page 298), FLAG(I,I) (“FLAG” on page 302), RENT (“RENT” on page 316), and
XREF(FULL) (“XREF” on page 330)

For a history of changes to previous COBOL compilers, see Enterprise COBOL

Compiler and Run-Time Migration Guide.

About this document xvii

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xviii Programming Guide

Part 1. Coding your program
Chapter 1. Structuring your program . . . . . 5 Types of intrinsic functions . . . . . . . . 32
Identifying a program . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Nesting functions . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Identifying a program as recursive . . . . . . 6 Using tables (arrays) and pointers . . . . . . . 33
Marking a program as callable by containing Storage and its addressability . . . . . . . . 33
programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Settings for RMODE . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Setting a program to an initial state. . . . . . 6 Storage restrictions for passing data . . . . . 34
Changing the header of a source listing . . . . 7 Location of data areas . . . . . . . . . 35
Describing the computing environment . . . . . 7 Storage for external data . . . . . . . . . 35
Example: FILE-CONTROL entries . . . . . . 8 Storage for QSAM input-output buffers . . . . 35
Specifying the collating sequence . . . . . . 8
Example: specifying the collating sequence . . 9 Chapter 3. Working with numbers and arithmetic 37
Defining symbolic characters . . . . . . . . 9 Defining numeric data. . . . . . . . . . . 37
Defining a user-defined class . . . . . . . 10 Displaying numeric data . . . . . . . . . . 38
Defining files to the operating system . . . . 10 Controlling how numeric data is stored . . . . . 39
Varying the input or output file at run time . 11 Formats for numeric data. . . . . . . . . . 40
Optimizing buffer and device space . . . . 12 External decimal (DISPLAY) items . . . . . . 40
Describing the data . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 External floating-point (DISPLAY) items . . . . 40
Using data in input and output operations . . . 12 Binary (COMP) items . . . . . . . . . . 41
FILE SECTION entries. . . . . . . . . 13 Native binary (COMP-5) items . . . . . . . 41
Comparison of WORKING-STORAGE and Packed-decimal (COMP-3) items . . . . . . 42
LOCAL-STORAGE . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Floating-point (COMP-1 and COMP-2) items . . 42
Example: storage sections. . . . . . . . 15 Examples: numeric data and internal
Using data from another program . . . . . . 16 representation . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Sharing data in separately compiled programs 16 Data format conversions . . . . . . . . . . 43
Sharing data in nested programs . . . . . 16 Conversions and precision . . . . . . . . 44
Sharing data in recursive or multithreaded Conversions that preserve precision . . . . 44
programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Conversions that result in rounding . . . . 44
Processing the data . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Sign representation and processing . . . . . . 45
How logic is divided in the PROCEDURE NUMPROC(PFD) . . . . . . . . . . . 45
DIVISION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 NUMPROC(NOPFD) . . . . . . . . . . 45
Imperative statements . . . . . . . . . 19 NUMPROC(MIG) . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Conditional statements . . . . . . . . 19 Checking for incompatible data (numeric class test) 46
Compiler-directing statements . . . . . . 20 Performing arithmetic . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Scope terminators . . . . . . . . . . 20 COMPUTE and other arithmetic statements . . 47
Declaratives . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Arithmetic expressions . . . . . . . . . 47
Numeric intrinsic functions . . . . . . . . 48
Chapter 2. Using data . . . . . . . . . . 23 Nesting functions and arithmetic expressions 49
Using variables, structures, literals, and constants . 23 ALL subscripting and special registers . . . 49
Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Math and date Language Environment services 49
Data structure: data items and group items . . . 23 Math-oriented callable services . . . . . . 49
Literals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Date callable services . . . . . . . . . 50
Constants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Examples: numeric intrinsic functions . . . . 51
Figurative constants . . . . . . . . . . 24 General number handling . . . . . . . 51
Assigning values to data items . . . . . . . . 25 Date and time . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Examples: initializing variables . . . . . . . 25 Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Initializing a structure (INITIALIZE) . . . . . 27 Mathematics . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Assigning values to variables or structures Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
(MOVE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Fixed-point versus floating-point arithmetic . . . 53
Assigning arithmetic results (MOVE or Floating-point evaluations . . . . . . . . 53
COMPUTE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Fixed-point evaluations . . . . . . . . . 54
Assigning input from a screen or file (ACCEPT) 29 Arithmetic comparisons (relation conditions) . . 54
Displaying values on a screen or in a file (DISPLAY) 30 Examples: fixed-point and floating-point
Displaying data on the system logical output evaluations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Using currency signs . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Using WITH NO ADVANCING . . . . . . 31 Example: multiple currency signs . . . . . . 56
Using intrinsic functions (built-in functions) . . . 32

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 1

Chapter 4. Handling tables. . . . . . . . . 59 Example: arithmetic expressions as reference
Defining a table (OCCURS) . . . . . . . . . 59 modifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Nesting tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Example: intrinsic functions as reference
Subscripting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 modifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Indexing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Tallying and replacing data items (INSPECT) . . . 95
Referring to an item in a table . . . . . . . . 61 Examples: INSPECT statement . . . . . . . 95
Subscripting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Converting data items (intrinsic functions) . . . . 96
Indexing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Converting to uppercase or lowercase
Putting values into a table . . . . . . . . . 64 (UPPER-CASE, LOWER-CASE) . . . . . . . 97
Loading a table dynamically. . . . . . . . 64 Converting to reverse order (REVERSE) . . . . 97
Initializing a table (INITIALIZE) . . . . . . 64 Converting to numbers (NUMVAL, NUMVAL-C) 97
Assigning values when you define a table Converting from one code page to another . . . 98
(VALUE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Evaluating data items (intrinsic functions) . . . . 99
Initializing each table item individually . . . 65 Evaluating single characters for collating
Initializing a table at the 01 level . . . . . 65 sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Initializing all occurrences of a table element 65 Finding the largest or smallest data item . . . 99
Example: PERFORM and subscripting . . . . 66 MAX and MIN . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Example: PERFORM and indexing. . . . . . 67 ORD-MAX and ORD-MIN . . . . . . . 100
Creating variable-length tables (DEPENDING ON) 68 Returning variable-length results with
Loading a variable-length table . . . . . . . 69 alphanumeric functions . . . . . . . . 100
Assigning values to a variable-length table . . . 70 Finding the length of data items . . . . . . 101
Searching a table . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Finding the date of compilation . . . . . . 101
Doing a serial search (SEARCH) . . . . . . 71
Example: serial search . . . . . . . . . 71 Chapter 7. Coding for run-time use of national
Doing a binary search (SEARCH ALL) . . . . 72 languages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Example: binary search . . . . . . . . 72 Unicode and encoding of language characters . . 105
Processing table items using intrinsic functions . . 73 Using national data (Unicode) in COBOL . . . . 105
Example: intrinsic functions . . . . . . . . 73 National data items . . . . . . . . . . 105
National literals . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Chapter 5. Selecting and repeating program National characters as figurative constants . . 106
actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Storage of national data . . . . . . . . . 106
Selecting program actions . . . . . . . . . 75 Converting national data . . . . . . . . . 107
Coding a choice of actions . . . . . . . . 75 Converting alphanumeric and integer to
Using nested IF statements . . . . . . . 76 national data (MOVE) . . . . . . . . . 107
Using the EVALUATE statement . . . . . 77 Converting alphanumeric to national data
Coding conditional expressions . . . . . . . 79 (NATIONAL-OF) . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Switches and flags . . . . . . . . . . 80 Converting national to alphanumeric data
Defining switches and flags . . . . . . . 80 (DISPLAY-OF) . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Example: switches . . . . . . . . . . 80 Overriding the default code page. . . . . 108
Example: flags . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Conversion exceptions . . . . . . . . . 108
Resetting switches and flags . . . . . . . 81 Example: converting national data . . . . . 108
Example: set switch on . . . . . . . . 81 Processing UTF-8 data . . . . . . . . . . 109
Example: set switch off . . . . . . . . 82 Processing Chinese GB 18030 data . . . . . . 110
Repeating program actions . . . . . . . . . 82 Comparing national data items . . . . . . . 110
Choosing inline or out-of-line PERFORM . . . 83 Comparing national operands . . . . . . . 111
Example: inline PERFORM statement . . . . 83 Comparing national and numeric operands . . 111
Coding a loop . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Comparing national and alphabetic or
Coding a loop through a table . . . . . . . 85 alphanumeric operands . . . . . . . . . 111
Executing multiple paragraphs or sections . . . 85 Comparing national and group operands . . . 111
Processing alphanumeric data items that contain
Chapter 6. Handling strings . . . . . . . . 87 DBCS data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Joining data items (STRING) . . . . . . . . 87
Example: STRING statement. . . . . . . . 87 Chapter 8. Processing files . . . . . . . . 113
STRING program results . . . . . . . . 88 File organization and input-output devices . . . 113
Splitting data items (UNSTRING) . . . . . . . 89 Choosing file organization and access mode . . . 115
Example: UNSTRING statement . . . . . . 89 Format for coding input and output . . . . . 116
UNSTRING program results . . . . . . . 90 Allocating files . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Manipulating null-terminated strings . . . . . . 91 Checking for input or output errors . . . . . . 118
Example: null-terminated strings . . . . . . 92
Referring to substrings of data items . . . . . . 92 Chapter 9. Processing QSAM files . . . . . 119
Reference modifiers. . . . . . . . . . . 93 Defining QSAM files and records in COBOL . . . 119

2 Programming Guide
 Establishing record formats. . . . . . . . 120 Specifying relative organization for VSAM files 151
Logical records . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Fixed-length and variable-length RRDS . . . 152
Requesting fixed-length format . . . . . 121 Simulating variable-length RRDS . . . . . 152
Requesting variable-length format . . . . 122 Specifying access modes for VSAM files . . . 153
Requesting spanned format. . . . . . . 124 Example: using dynamic access with VSAM
Requesting undefined format . . . . . . 126 files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Setting block sizes . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Defining record lengths for VSAM files. . . . 154
Letting z/OS determine block size . . . . 127 Defining fixed-length records . . . . . . 154
Setting block size explicitly . . . . . . . 127 Defining variable-length records . . . . . 154
Taking advantage of LBI. . . . . . . . 128 Coding input and output statements for VSAM
Block size and the DCB RECFM files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
subparameter . . . . . . . . . . . 129 File position indicator . . . . . . . . . 157
Coding input and output statements for QSAM Opening a file (ESDS, KSDS, or RRDS) . . . . 157
files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Opening an empty file . . . . . . . . 158
Opening QSAM files . . . . . . . . . . 130 Statements to load records into a VSAM file 159
Dynamically creating QSAM files with Opening a loaded file (a file with records) 159
CBLQDA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 Reading records from a VSAM file . . . . . 159
Adding records to QSAM files. . . . . . . 131 Updating records in a VSAM file . . . . . . 160
Updating QSAM files . . . . . . . . . 131 Adding records to a VSAM file . . . . . . 161
Writing QSAM files to a printer or spooled data Adding records sequentially . . . . . . 161
set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 Adding records randomly or dynamically 162
Controlling the page size . . . . . . . 132 Replacing records in a VSAM file. . . . . . 162
Controlling the vertical positioning of records 132 Deleting records from a VSAM file . . . . . 162
Closing QSAM files . . . . . . . . . . 132 Closing VSAM files . . . . . . . . . . 162
Handling errors in QSAM files . . . . . . . 133 Handling errors in VSAM files . . . . . . . 163
Working with QSAM files . . . . . . . . . 133 Protecting VSAM files with a password . . . . 164
Defining and allocating QSAM files . . . . . 134 Example: password protection for a VSAM
Parameters for creating QSAM files . . . . 135 indexed file . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Retrieving QSAM files . . . . . . . . . 136 Working with VSAM data sets under z/OS and
Parameters for retrieving QSAM files . . . 136 UNIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Ensuring file attributes match your program 137 Defining VSAM files . . . . . . . . . . 165
Processing existing files . . . . . . . . 137 Creating alternate indexes . . . . . . . . 166
Defining variable-length (format-V) records 137 Example: entries for alternate indexes . . . 168
Defining format-U records . . . . . . . 138 Allocating VSAM files . . . . . . . . . 168
Defining fixed-length records . . . . . . 138 Sharing VSAM files through RLS . . . . . . 170
Processing new files . . . . . . . . . 138 Preventing update problems with VSAM files
Processing files dynamically created by in RLS mode . . . . . . . . . . . 170
COBOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 Restrictions when using RLS . . . . . . 170
Using striped extended-format QSAM data sets 139 Handling errors in VSAM files in RLS mode 171
Allocation of buffers for QSAM files. . . . 140 Improving VSAM performance . . . . . . . 171
Accessing HFS files using QSAM . . . . . . . 140
Labels for QSAM files . . . . . . . . . . 141 Chapter 11. Processing line-sequential files . . 173
Using trailer and header labels . . . . . . 141 Defining line-sequential files and records in
Getting a user-label track . . . . . . . 142 COBOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Handling user labels . . . . . . . . . 142 Allowable control characters . . . . . . . 174
Format of standard labels . . . . . . . . 143 Describing the structure of a line-sequential file 174
Standard user labels . . . . . . . . . 143 Defining and allocating line-sequential files . . . 175
Processing QSAM ASCII files on tape . . . . . 143 Coding input-output statements for line-sequential
Requesting the ASCII alphabet . . . . . . 144 files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Defining the record formats . . . . . . . 144 Opening line-sequential files . . . . . . . 176
Defining the ddname . . . . . . . . . . 144 Reading records from line-sequential files . . . 176
Processing ASCII file labels . . . . . . . . . 145 Adding records to line-sequential files . . . . 177
Closing line-sequential files. . . . . . . . 177
Chapter 10. Processing VSAM files . . . . . 147 Handling errors in line-sequential files . . . . . 178
VSAM files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Defining VSAM file organization and records . . 149 Chapter 12. Sorting and merging files . . . . 179
Specifying sequential organization for VSAM Sort and merge process . . . . . . . . . . 180
files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 Describing the sort or merge file . . . . . . . 180
Specifying indexed organization for VSAM files 150 Describing the input to sorting or merging . . . 181
Alternate keys . . . . . . . . . . . 151 Example: describing sort and input files for
Alternate index . . . . . . . . . . . 151 SORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181

Part 1. Coding your program 3

Coding the input procedure . . . . . . . . 182 Requesting dumps . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Describing the output from sorting or merging . . 183 Creating a formatted dump. . . . . . . . 221
Coding the output procedure . . . . . . . . 183 Creating a system dump . . . . . . . . 222
Coding considerations when using DFSORT . . 184 Handling errors in joining and splitting strings . . 222
Example: coding the output procedure when Handling errors in arithmetic operations . . . . 223
using DFSORT . . . . . . . . . . . . 184 Example: checking for division by zero . . . . 223
Restrictions on input and output procedures . . . 185 Handling errors in input and output operations 223
Defining sort and merge data sets . . . . . . 185 Using the end-of-file condition (AT END) . . . 226
Sorting variable-length records . . . . . . . 186 Coding ERROR declaratives . . . . . . . 227
Requesting the sort or merge . . . . . . . . 186 Using file status keys . . . . . . . . . . 228
Setting sort or merge criteria . . . . . . . 187 Example: file status key . . . . . . . . . 229
Example: sorting with input and output Using VSAM return codes (VSAM files only) 229
procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 Example: checking VSAM status codes . . . . 230
Choosing alternate collating sequences . . . . 188 Coding INVALID KEY phrases . . . . . . 231
Sorting on windowed date fields . . . . . . 189 INVALID KEY and ERROR declaratives . . 232
Preserving the original sequence of records with NOT INVALID KEY . . . . . . . . . 232
equal keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 Example: FILE STATUS and INVALID KEY . . 232
Determining whether the sort or merge was Handling errors when calling programs . . . . 233
successful . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 Writing routines for handling errors . . . . . . 233
Stopping a sort or merge operation prematurely 190
Improving sort performance with FASTSRT . . . 191
FASTSRT requirements for JCL . . . . . . 191
FASTSRT requirements for sort input and
output files . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
QSAM requirements . . . . . . . . . 192
VSAM requirements . . . . . . . . . 193
Checking for sort errors with NOFASTSRT . . . 193
Controlling sort behavior . . . . . . . . . 193
Sort special registers . . . . . . . . . . 194
Changing DFSORT defaults with control
statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Default characteristics of the IGZSRTCD data
set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Allocating storage for sort or merge operations 195
Allocating space for sort files . . . . . . . 196
Using checkpoint/restart with DFSORT . . . . 196
Sorting under CICS . . . . . . . . . . . 197
CICS SORT application restrictions . . . . . 197

Chapter 13. Processing XML documents . . . 199

XML parser in COBOL . . . . . . . . . . 199
Accessing XML documents . . . . . . . . . 201
Parsing XML documents . . . . . . . . . 201
Processing XML events . . . . . . . . . 202
Writing procedures to process XML . . . . . 208
Understanding the contents of XML-CODE 208
Using XML-TEXT and XML-NTEXT . . . . 209
Transforming XML text to COBOL data items 210
Restriction on your processing procedure . . 210
Ending your processing procedure . . . . 210
Example: parsing XML . . . . . . . . 211
Understanding XML document encoding . . . . 213
Specifying the code page . . . . . . . . 214
Parsing documents in other code pages. . . . 214
Handling errors in XML documents . . . . . . 215
Unhandled exceptions . . . . . . . . . 216
Handling exceptions . . . . . . . . . . 216
Terminating the parse . . . . . . . . . 217
CCSID conflict exception . . . . . . . . 217

Chapter 14. Handling errors . . . . . . . . 221

4 Programming Guide
Chapter 1. Structuring your program
A COBOL program consists of four divisions, each with a specific logical function:
v IDENTIFICATION DIVISION
v ENVIRONMENT DIVISION
v DATA DIVISION
v PROCEDURE DIVISION

Only the IDENTIFICATION DIVISION is required.

To define a COBOL class or method, you need to define some divisions differently
than you would for a program.

RELATED TASKS
“Identifying a program”
“Describing the computing environment” on page 7
“Describing the data” on page 12
“Processing the data” on page 17
“Defining a class” on page 462
“Defining a class instance method” on page 467
“Structuring OO applications” on page 498

Identifying a program
Use the IDENTIFICATION DIVISION to name your program and, if you want, give
other identifying information.

You can use the optional AUTHOR, INSTALLATION, DATE-WRITTEN, and DATE-COMPILED
paragraphs for descriptive information about your program. The data you enter on
the DATE-COMPILED paragraph is replaced with the latest compilation date.
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
Program-ID. Helloprog.
Author. A. Programmer.
Installation. Computing Laboratories.
Date-Written. 08/21/2002.
Date-Compiled. 08/21/2002.

Use the PROGRAM-ID paragraph to name your program. The program name that you
assign is used in these ways:
v Other programs use the name to call your program.
v The name appears in the header on each page, except the first page, of the
program listing generated when the program is compiled.
v If you use the NAME compiler option, the name is placed on the NAME
linkage-editor or binder control statement to identify the object module created
by the compilation.
Tip: Do not use program names that start with prefixes used by IBM products. If
you try to use programs whose names start with any of the following, your CALL
statements might resolve to IBM library or compiler routines rather than to your
intended program:

AFB AFH CBC CEE EDC

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 5

 IBM IFY IGY IGZ ILB

Tip: When the program name is case sensitive, avoid mismatches with the name
the compiler is looking for. Verify that the appropriate setting of the PGMNAME
compiler option is used.

RELATED TASKS
“Changing the header of a source listing” on page 7
“Identifying a program as recursive”
“Marking a program as callable by containing programs”
“Setting a program to an initial state”

RELATED REFERENCES
Compiler limits (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
Conventions for program names (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Identifying a program as recursive

Code the RECURSIVE attribute on the PROGRAM-ID clause to specify that your
program can be recursively reentered while a previous invocation is still active.

You can code RECURSIVE only on the outermost program of a compilation unit.
Neither nested subprograms nor programs containing nested subprograms can be
recursive. You must code RECURSIVE for programs that you compile with the THREAD
option.

RELATED TASKS
“Sharing data in recursive or multithreaded programs” on page 17
“Making recursive calls” on page 419

Marking a program as callable by containing programs

Use the COMMON attribute on the PROGRAM-ID clause to specify that your program can
be called by the containing program or by any program in the containing program.
The COMMON program cannot be called by any program contained in itself.

Only contained programs can have the COMMON attribute.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Nested programs” on page 416

Setting a program to an initial state

Use the INITIAL attribute to specify that whenever a program is called, it is placed
in its initial state. If the program contains programs, these are also placed in their
initial states.

A program is in its initial state when the following has occurred:

v Data items having VALUE clauses are set to the specified value.
v Changed GO TO statements and PERFORM statements are set to their initial states.
v Non-EXTERNAL files are closed.

6 Programming Guide
 Changing the header of a source listing
The header on the first page of your source statement listing contains the
identification of the compiler and the current release level, plus the date and time
of compilation and the page number. For example:

PP 5655-G53 IBM Enterprise COBOL for z/OS and OS/390 3.2.0 Date 08/21/2002 Time 15:05:19 Page 1

You can customize the header on succeeding pages of the listing with the
compiler-directing TITLE statement.

RELATED REFERENCES
TITLE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Describing the computing environment

In the ENVIRONMENT DIVISION you describe the aspects of your program that
depend on the computing environment.

Use the CONFIGURATION SECTION to specify the following items:

v Computer for compiling your program (in the SOURCE-COMPUTER paragraph)
v Computer for running your program (in the OBJECT-COMPUTER paragraph)
v Special items such as the currency sign and symbolic characters (in the
SPECIAL-NAMES paragraph)
v User-defined classes (in the REPOSITORY paragraph)

Use the FILE-CONTROL and I-O-CONTROL paragraphs of the INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION to

do the following:
v Identify and describe the characteristics of your program files.
v Associate your files with the external QSAM, VSAM, or HFS (hierarchical file
system) data sets where they physically reside.
The terms file, in COBOL terminology, and data set or HFS file, in operating
system terminology, have essentially the same meaning and are used
interchangeably in this documentation.
For Customer Information Control System (CICS) and online Information
Management System (IMS) message processing programs (MPP), code only the
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION header and, optionally, the CONFIGURATION SECTION. CICS
does not allow COBOL definition of files. IMS allows COBOL definition of files
only for batch programs.
v Provide information to control efficient transmission of the data records between
your program and the external medium.

“Example: FILE-CONTROL entries” on page 8

RELATED TASKS
“Specifying the collating sequence” on page 8
“Defining symbolic characters” on page 9
“Defining a user-defined class” on page 10
“Defining files to the operating system” on page 10

RELATED REFERENCES
Sections and paragraphs (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Chapter 1. Structuring your program 7

 Example: FILE-CONTROL entries
The following table shows FILE-CONTROL entries for a QSAM sequential file, a
VSAM indexed file, and a line-sequential file.

QSAM file VSAM file Line-sequential file

SELECT PRINTFILE 1
SELECT COMMUTER-FILE 1
SELECT PRINTFILE1
ASSIGN TO UPDPRINT2 ASSIGN TO COMMUTER2 ASSIGN TO UPDPRINT2
ORGANIZATION IS SEQUENTIAL3 ORGANIZATION IS INDEXED3 ORGANIZATION IS LINE SEQUENTIAL3
ACCESS IS SEQUENTIAL.4 ACCESS IS RANDOM4 ACCESS IS SEQUENTIAL.4
RECORD KEY IS COMMUTER-KEY5
FILE STATUS IS5
COMMUTER-FILE-STATUS
COMMUTER-VSAM-STATUS.

1. The SELECT clause chooses a file in the COBOL program to be associated with an external data set.
2. The ASSIGN clause associates the program’s name for the file with the external name for the actual data file. You
can define the external name with a DD statement or an environment variable.
3. The ORGANIZATION clause describes the file’s organization. For QSAM files, the ORGANIZATION clause is optional.
4. The ACCESS MODE clause defines the manner in which the records are made available for processing: sequential,
random, or dynamic. For QSAM and line-sequential files, the ACCESS MODE clause is optional. These files always
have sequential organization.
5. For VSAM files, you might have additional statements in the FILE-CONTROL paragraph depending on the type of
VSAM file you use.

RELATED TASKS
Chapter 9, “Processing QSAM files” on page 119
Chapter 10, “Processing VSAM files” on page 147
Chapter 11, “Processing line-sequential files” on page 173
“Describing the computing environment” on page 7

Specifying the collating sequence

Use the PROGRAM COLLATING SEQUENCE clause and the ALPHABET clause of the
SPECIAL-NAMES paragraph to establish the collating sequence used in the following
operations:
v Nonnumeric comparisons explicitly specified in relation conditions and
condition-name conditions
v HIGH-VALUE and LOW-VALUE settings
v SEARCH ALL
v SORT and MERGE unless overridden by a COLLATING SEQUENCE phrase on the SORT
or MERGE statement

“Example: specifying the collating sequence” on page 9

The sequence that you use can be based on one of these alphabets:
v EBCDIC (use NATIVE if the native character set is EBCDIC), the default if you
omit the ALPHABET clause
v ASCII (use STANDARD-1)
v ISO 7-bit code, International Reference Version (use STANDARD-2)
v An alteration of the EBCDIC sequence that you define in the SPECIAL-NAMES
paragraph

The PROGRAM COLLATING SEQUENCE clause does not affect comparisons that involve
national operands.

8 Programming Guide
 RELATED TASKS
“Choosing alternate collating sequences” on page 188
“Comparing national data items” on page 110

Example: specifying the collating sequence

The following example shows the ENVIRONMENT DIVISION coding used to specify a
collating sequence where uppercase and lowercase letters are similarly handled for
comparisons and for sorting or merging. When you change the EBCDIC sequence
in the SPECIAL-NAMES paragraph, the overall collating sequence is affected, not just
the collating sequence of the characters included in the SPECIAL-NAMES paragraph.
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
. . .
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION.
CONFIGURATION SECTION.

Source-Computer. IBM-390.
Object-Computer. IBM-390.

Program Collating Sequence Special-Sequence.

Special-Names.
Alphabet Special-Sequence Is
“A” Also “a”
“B” Also “b”
“C” Also “c”
“D” Also “d”
“E” Also “e”
“F” Also “f”
“G” Also “g”
“H” Also “h”
“I” Also “i”
“J” Also “j”
“K” Also “k”
“L” Also “l”
“M” Also “m”
“N” Also “n”
“O” Also “o”
“P” Also “p”
“Q” Also “q”
“R” Also “r”
“S” Also “s”
“T” Also “t”
“U” Also “u”
“V” Also “v”
“W” Also “w”
“X” Also “x”
“Y” Also “y”
“Z” Also “z”.

RELATED TASKS
“Specifying the collating sequence” on page 8

Defining symbolic characters

Use the SYMBOLIC CHARACTER clause to give symbolic names to any character of the
specified alphabet. Use ordinal position to identify the character. Position 1
corresponds to character X’00’. Example: To give a name to the backspace character
(X’16’ in the EBCDIC alphabet), code:
SYMBOLIC CHARACTERS BACKSPACE IS 23

Chapter 1. Structuring your program 9

 Defining a user-defined class
Use the CLASS clause to give a name to a set of characters listed in the clause. For
example, name the set of digits by using this code:
CLASS DIGIT IS “0” THROUGH “9”

The class-name can be referenced only in a class condition. This user-defined class
is not the same as an object-oriented class.

Defining files to the operating system

For all files that you process in your COBOL program, you need to define the files
to the operating system with an appropriate system data definition:
v DD statement for z/OS JCL.
v ALLOCATE command under TSO.
v Environment variable for z/OS or UNIX. The contents can define either an MVS
data set or a file in the HFS (hierarchical file system).

The following shows the relationship of a FILE-CONTROL entry to the system data
definition and to the FD entry in the FILE SECTION.
v JCL DD statement:
(1)
//OUTFILE DD DSNAME=MY.OUT171,UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(TRK,(50,5)),
// DCB=(BLKSIZE=400)
/*
. . .
v Environment variable (export command):
(1)
export OUTFILE=DSNAME(MY.OUT171),UNIT(SYSDA),SPACE(TRK,(50,5))
. . .
v COBOL code:
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION.
INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION.
FILE-CONTROL.
SELECT CARPOOL
ASSIGN TO OUTFILE (1)
ORGANIZATION IS SEQUENTIAL.
. . .
DATA DIVISION.
FILE SECTION.
FD CARPOOL (2)
LABEL RECORD STANDARD
BLOCK CONTAINS 0 CHARACTERS
RECORD CONTAINS 80 CHARACTERS
(1) The ddname in the DD statement or the environment variable name in the
export command, corresponds to the assignment-name in the ASSIGN clause:
v //OUTFILE DD DSNAME=OUT171 . . ., or
v export OUTFILE= . . .

This assignment-name points to the ddname OUTFILE in the DD statement or

the environment variable name OUTFILE in the export command:
ASSIGN TO OUTFILE
(2) When you specify a file in a COBOL FILE-CONTROL entry, you must
describe the file in an FD entry for file-name.

10 Programming Guide
 SELECT CARPOOL
. . .
FD CARPOOL

RELATED TASKS
“Optimizing buffer and device space” on page 12

Varying the input or output file at run time

The file-name you code in your SELECT clause is used as a constant throughout your
COBOL program, but you can associate the name of the file on the DD statement or
export command with a different file at run time.

Changing a file-name in your COBOL program requires changing the input

statements and output statements and recompiling the program. Alternatively, you
can change the dsname in the DD statement or the dsname path-name in your export
command.

Rules for using different files: The name you use in the assignment-name of the
ASSIGN clause must be the same as the ddname in the DD statement or the
environment variable in the export command. You can change the actual file by
using the DSNAME in the DD statement or the DSNAME or path name in the
environment variable.

The file-name that you use with the SELECT clause (such as SELECT MASTER) must be
the same as in the FD file-name entry.

Two files should not use the same ddname or environment variable name in their
SELECT clauses; otherwise, results could be unpredictable. For example, if DISPLAY
is directed to SYSOUT, do not use SYSOUT as the ddname or environment variable
name on the SELECT clause for a file.

“Example: using different input files”

Example: using different input files: Consider a COBOL program that is used in
exactly the same way for several different master files. It contains this SELECT
clause:
SELECT MASTER
ASSIGN TO DA-3330-S-MASTERA

Assume the three possible input files are MASTER1, MASTER2, and MASTER3. You must
code one of the following DD statements in the job step that calls for program
execution, or issue one of the following export commands from the same shell
from which you run the program, prior to running the program:
//MASTERA DD DSNAME=MY.MASTER1,. . .
export MASTERA=DSN(MY.MASTER1),. . .

//MASTERA DD DSNAME=MY.MASTER2,. . .
export MASTERA=DSN(MY.MASTER2),. . .

//MASTERA DD DSNAME=MY.MASTER3,. . .
export MASTERA=DSN(MY.MASTER3),. . .

Any reference in the program to MASTERA will therefore be a reference to the file
currently assigned to ddname or environment variable name MASTERA.

Notice that in this example, you cannot use the PATH(path) form of the export
command to reference a line-sequential file in the HFS, because you cannot specify
an organization field (S- or AS-) with a line-sequential file.

Chapter 1. Structuring your program 11

 Optimizing buffer and device space
Use the APPLY WRITE-ONLY clause to make optimum use of buffer and device space
when creating a sequential file with blocked variable-length records. With APPLY
WRITE-ONLY specified, a buffer is truncated only when the next record does not fit
in the unused portion of the buffer. Without APPLY WRITE-ONLY specified, a buffer is
truncated when it does not have enough space for a maximum-size record.

The APPLY WRITE-ONLY clause has meaning only for sequential files that have
variable-length records and are blocked.

The AWO compiler option applies an implicit APPLY WRITE-ONLY clause to all eligible
files. The NOAWO compiler option has no effect on files that have the APPLY
WRITE-ONLY clause specified. The APPLY WRITE-ONLY clause takes precedence over
the NOAWO compiler option.

The APPLY-WRITE ONLY clause can cause input files to use a record area rather than
process the data in the buffer. This use might affect the processing of both input
files and output files.

RELATED REFERENCES
“AWO” on page 292

Describing the data

Define the characteristics of your data and group your data definitions into one of
the sections in the DATA DIVISION:
v Define data used in input-output operations (FILE SECTION).
v Define data developed for internal processing:
– To have storage be statically allocated and exist for the life of the run unit
(WORKING-STORAGE SECTION).
– To have storage be allocated each time a program is called and deallocated
when the program ends (LOCAL-STORAGE SECTION).
v Describe data from another program (LINKAGE SECTION).

The Enterprise COBOL compiler limits the maximum size of DATA DIVISION
elements.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Comparison of WORKING-STORAGE and LOCAL-STORAGE” on page 14

RELATED TASKS
“Using data in input and output operations”
“Using data from another program” on page 16

RELATED REFERENCES
Compiler limits (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Using data in input and output operations

Define the data you use in input and output operations in the FILE SECTION:
v Name the input and output files your program will use. Use the FD entry to give
names to your files that the input-output statements in the PROCEDURE DIVISION
can refer to.
Data items defined in the FILE SECTION are not available to PROCEDURE DIVISION
statements until the file has been successfully opened.

12 Programming Guide
v In the record description following the FD entry, describe the fields of the records
in the file:
– You can code a level-01 description of the entire record, and then in the
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION code a working copy that describes the fields of the
record in more detail. Use the READ INTO statement to bring the records into
WORKING-STORAGE. Processing occurs on the copy of data in WORKING-STORAGE.
A WRITE FROM statement then writes processed data into the record area
defined in the FILE SECTION.
– The record-name established is the object of WRITE and REWRITE statements.
– For QSAM files only, you can set the record format in the RECORDING MODE
clause. If you omit the RECORDING MODE clause, the compiler determines the
record format based on the RECORD clause and on the level-01 record
descriptions.
– For QSAM files, you can set a blocking factor for the file in the BLOCK
CONTAINS clause. If you omit the BLOCK CONTAINS clause, the file defaults to
unblocked. However, you can override this with z/OS data management
facilities (including a DD file job control statement).
– For line-sequential files, you can set a blocking factor for the file in the BLOCK
CONTAINS clause. When you code BLOCK CONTAINS 1 RECORDS, or BLOCK
CONTAINS n CHARACTERS, where n is the length of one logical record, WRITE
statements result in the record being transferred immediately to the file,
rather than being buffered. This technique is useful when you want each
record written immediately, such as to an error log.

Programs in the same run unit can share, or have access to, common files. The
method for doing this depends on whether the programs are part of a nested
(contained) structure or are separately compiled (including programs compiled as
part of a batch sequence).

You can use the EXTERNAL clause for separately compiled programs. A file that is
defined as EXTERNAL can be referenced by any program in the run unit that
describes the file.

You can use the GLOBAL clause for programs in a nested, or contained, structure. If
a program contains another program (directly or indirectly), both programs can
access a common file by referencing a GLOBAL file name.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Nested programs” on page 416

RELATED TASKS
“Sharing files between programs (external files)” on page 432

RELATED REFERENCES
“FILE SECTION entries”

FILE SECTION entries

Clause To define Notes
FD The file-name to be referred to Must match file-name in the SELECT
in PROCEDURE DIVISION clause. file-name is associated with a
input-output statements (OPEN, ddname through the assignment-name.
CLOSE, READ, also START and
DELETE for VSAM)

Chapter 1. Structuring your program 13

 Clause To define Notes
BLOCK CONTAINS Size of physical record QSAM: If provided, must match
information on JCL or data set label. If
not provided, the system determines
the optimal block size for you.

Line sequential: Can be specified to

control buffering for WRITE statements.

VSAM: Handled as comments.

RECORD CONTAINS Size of logical records (fixed If provided, must match information on
n length) JCL or data set label. If n is equal to 0,
LRECL must be coded on JCL or data set
label.
RECORD IS Size of logical records If provided, must match information on
VARYING (variable length) JCL or data set label; compiler checks
match with record descriptions.
RECORD CONTAINS Size of logical records If provided, must match information on
n TO m (variable length) JCL or data set label; compiler checks
match with record descriptions.
LABEL RECORDS Labels for QSAM files VSAM: Handled as comments
STANDARD Labels exist QSAM: Handled as comments
OMITTED Labels do not exist QSAM: Handled as comments
data-name Labels defined by the user QSAM: Allowed for (optional) tape or
disk
VALUE OF An item in the label records Comments only
associated with file
DATA RECORDS Names of records associated Comments only
with file
LINAGE Depth of logical page QSAM only
CODE-SET ASCII or EBCDIC files QSAM only.

When an ASCII file is identified with

the CODE-SET clause, the corresponding
DD statement might need to have
DCB=(OPTCD=Q. . .) or
DCB=(RECFM=D. . .) coded if the file
was not created using VS COBOL II,
COBOL for OS/390 & VM, or IBM
Enterprise COBOL for z/OS and
OS/390.
RECORDING MODE Physical record description QSAM only

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Labels for QSAM files” on page 141

Comparison of WORKING-STORAGE and LOCAL-STORAGE

| WORKING-STORAGE for programs is allocated at the start of the run unit. Any data
items with VALUE clauses are initialized to the appropriate value at that time. For
the duration of the run unit, WORKING-STORAGE items persist in their last-used state.
Exceptions are:
v A program with INITIAL specified in the PROGRAM-ID paragraph

14 Programming Guide
 In this case, WORKING-STORAGE data items are reinitialized each time that the
program is entered.
v A subprogram that is dynamically called and then canceled
In this case, WORKING-STORAGE data items are reinitialized on the first reentry into
the program following the CANCEL.

WORKING-STORAGE is deallocated at the termination of the run unit.

| See the related tasks for information about WORKING-STORAGE in COBOL class
| definitions.

| A separate copy of LOCAL-STORAGE data is allocated for each call of a program or

| invocation of a method, and is freed on return from the program or method. If you
| specify a VALUE clause on a LOCAL-STORAGE item, the item is initialized to that value
| on each call or invocation. If a VALUE clause is not specified, the initial value of the
| item is undefined.

Threading: Each invocation of a program that runs simultaneously on multiple

threads shares access to a single copy of WORKING-STORAGE data. Each invocation
has a separate copy of LOCAL-STORAGE data.

“Example: storage sections”

RELATED TASKS
“WORKING-STORAGE SECTION for defining class instance data” on page 466
Chapter 27, “Preparing COBOL programs for multithreading” on page 449
“Ending and reentering main programs or subprograms” on page 408

RELATED REFERENCES
Working-Storage section (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
Local-Storage section (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Example: storage sections

The following is an example of a recursive program that uses both
WORKING-STORAGE and LOCAL-STORAGE.
CBL pgmn(lu)
*********************************
* Recursive Program - Factorials
*********************************
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
Program-Id. factorial recursive.
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION.
DATA DIVISION.
Working-Storage Section.
01 numb pic 9(4) value 5.
01 fact pic 9(8) value 0.
Local-Storage Section.
01 num pic 9(4).
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
move numb to num.

if numb = 0
move 1 to fact
else
subtract 1 from numb
call ’factorial’
multiply num by fact
end-if.

Chapter 1. Structuring your program 15

 display num ’! = ’ fact.
goback.
End Program factorial.

The following tables show the changing values of the data items in LOCAL-STORAGE
(L-S) and WORKING-STORAGE (W-S) in the successive recursive calls of the program,
and in the ensuing gobacks. During the gobacks, fact progressively accumulates
the value of 5! (five factorial).
Recursive
CALLs: Main 1 2 3 4 5
___________________________________
L-S num 5 4 3 2 1 0
___________________________________
W-S numb 5 4 3 2 1 0
fact 0 0 0 0 0 0
___________________________________
Recursive
GOBACKs: 5 4 3 2 1 Main
____________________________________
L-S num 0 1 2 3 4 5
____________________________________
W-S numb 0 0 0 0 0 0
fact 1 1 2 6 24 120
____________________________________

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Comparison of WORKING-STORAGE and LOCAL-STORAGE” on page 14

Using data from another program

How you share data depends on the type of program. You share data differently in
programs that are separately compiled than you do for programs that are nested or
for programs that are recursive or multithreaded.

RELATED TASKS
“Sharing data in separately compiled programs”
“Sharing data in nested programs”

Sharing data in separately compiled programs

Many applications consist of separately compiled programs that call and pass data
to one another. Use the LINKAGE SECTION in the called program to describe the data
passed from another program. In the calling program, use a CALL . . . USING or
INVOKE . . . USING statement to pass the data.

RELATED TASKS
“Passing data” on page 423

Sharing data in nested programs

Some applications consist of nested programs—programs that are contained in
other programs. Level-01 LINKAGE SECTION data items can include the GLOBAL
attribute. This attribute allows any nested program that includes the declarations
to access these LINKAGE SECTION data items.

A nested program can also access data items in a sibling program (one at the same
nesting level in the same containing program) that is declared with the COMMON
attribute.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Nested programs” on page 416

16 Programming Guide
 Sharing data in recursive or multithreaded programs
If you compile your program as RECURSIVE or with the THREAD compiler option,
data that is defined in the LINKAGE SECTION is not accessible on subsequent
invocations of the program.

To address a record in the LINKAGE SECTION, use either of these techniques:

v Pass an argument to the program and specify the record in an appropriate
position in the USING phrase in the program.
v Use the format-5 SET statement.

If you compile your program as RECURSIVE or with the THREAD compiler option, the
address of the record is valid for a particular instance of the program invocation.
The address of the record in another execution instance of the same program must
be reestablished for that execution instance. Unpredictable results will occur if you
refer to a data item for which the address has not been established.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Multithreading” on page 449

RELATED TASKS
“Making recursive calls” on page 419
“Processing files with multithreading” on page 452

RELATED REFERENCES
SET statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
“THREAD” on page 325

Processing the data

In the PROCEDURE DIVISION of a program, you code the executable statements that
process the data you have defined in the other divisions. The PROCEDURE DIVISION
contains one or two headers and the logic of your program.

The PROCEDURE DIVISION begins with the division header and a procedure-name
header. The division header for a program can simply be:
PROCEDURE DIVISION.

You can code your division header to receive parameters with the USING phrase or
to return a value with the RETURNING phrase.

To receive an argument that was passed by reference (the default) or by content,

code the division header for a program in either of these ways:
PROCEDURE DIVISION USING dataname
PROCEDURE DIVISION USING BY REFERENCE dataname

Be sure to define dataname in the LINKAGE SECTION of the DATA DIVISION.

To receive a parameter that was passed by value, code the division header for a
program as follows:
PROCEDURE DIVISION USING BY VALUE dataname

To return a value as a result, code the division header as follows:

PROCEDURE DIVISION RETURNING dataname2

You can also combine USING and RETURNING in a PROCEDURE DIVISION header:

Chapter 1. Structuring your program 17

 PROCEDURE DIVISION USING dataname RETURNING dataname2

Be sure to define dataname and dataname2 in the LINKAGE SECTION of the DATA
DIVISION.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“How logic is divided in the PROCEDURE DIVISION”

RELATED TASKS
“Eliminating repetitive coding” on page 569

How logic is divided in the PROCEDURE DIVISION

The PROCEDURE DIVISION of a program is divided into sections and paragraphs,
which contain sentences and statements:
Section
Logical subdivision of your processing logic.
A section has a section header and is optionally followed by one or more
paragraphs.
A section can be the subject of a PERFORM statement. One type of section is
for declaratives.
Paragraph
Subdivision of a section, procedure, or program.
A paragraph has a name followed by a period and zero or more sentences.
A paragraph can be the subject of a statement.
Sentence
Series of one or more COBOL statements ending with a period.
Many structured programs do not have separate sentences. Each paragraph
can contain one sentence.
Statement
Performs a defined step of COBOL processing, such as adding two
numbers.
A statement is a valid combination of words, beginning with a COBOL
verb. Statements are imperative (indicating unconditional action),
conditional, or compiler-directing. Using explicit scope terminators instead
of periods to show the logical end of a statement is preferred.
Phrase
A subdivision of a statement.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Compiler-directing statements” on page 20
“Scope terminators” on page 20
“Imperative statements” on page 19
“Conditional statements” on page 19
“Declaratives” on page 21

RELATED REFERENCES
PROCEDURE DIVISION structure (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

18 Programming Guide
Imperative statements
An imperative statement indicates an unconditional action to be taken (such as
ADD, MOVE, INVOKE, or CLOSE).

An imperative statement can be ended with an implicit or explicit scope

terminator.

A conditional statement that ends with an explicit scope terminator becomes an

imperative statement called a delimited scope statement. Only imperative statements
(or delimited scope statements) can be nested.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Conditional statements”
“Scope terminators” on page 20

Conditional statements
A conditional statement is either a simple conditional statement (IF, EVALUATE,
SEARCH) or a conditional statement made up of an imperative statement that
includes a conditional phrase or option.

You can end a conditional statement with an implicit or explicit scope terminator.
If you end a conditional statement explicitly, it becomes a delimited scope
statement (which is an imperative statement).

You can use a delimited scope statement in these ways:

v To delimit the range of operation for a COBOL conditional statement and to
explicitly show the levels of nesting
For example, use an END-IF statement instead of a period to end the scope of an
IF statement within a nested IF.
v To code a conditional statement where the COBOL syntax calls for an imperative
statement
For example, code a conditional statement as the object of an inline PERFORM:
PERFORM UNTIL TRANSACTION-EOF
PERFORM 200-EDIT-UPDATE-TRANSACTION
IF NO-ERRORS
PERFORM 300-UPDATE-COMMUTER-RECORD
ELSE
PERFORM 400-PRINT-TRANSACTION-ERRORS
END-IF
READ UPDATE-TRANSACTION-FILE INTO WS-TRANSACTION-RECORD
AT END
SET TRANSACTION-EOF TO TRUE
END-READ
END-PERFORM

An explicit scope terminator is required for the inline PERFORM statement, but it is
not valid for the out-of-line PERFORM statement.

For additional program control, you can use the NOT phrase with conditional
statements. For example, you can provide instructions to be performed when a
particular exception does not occur, such as NOT ON SIZE ERROR. The NOT phrase
cannot be used with the ON OVERFLOW phrase of the CALL statement, but it can be
used with the ON EXCEPTION phrase.

Do not nest conditional statements. Nested statements must be imperative

statements (or delimited scope statements) and must follow the rules for
imperative statements.

Chapter 1. Structuring your program 19

 The following statements are examples of conditional statements if they are coded
without scope terminators:
v Arithmetic statement with ON SIZE ERROR
v Data-manipulation statements with ON OVERFLOW
v CALL statements with ON OVERFLOW
v I/O statements with INVALID KEY, AT END, or AT END-OF-PAGE
v RETURN with AT END

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Imperative statements” on page 19
“Scope terminators”

RELATED TASKS
“Selecting program actions” on page 75

RELATED REFERENCES
Conditional statements (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Compiler-directing statements
A compiler-directing statement is not part of the program logic. A
compiler-directing statement causes the compiler to take specific action about the
program structure, COPY processing, listing control, or control flow.

RELATED REFERENCES
“Compiler-directing statements” on page 332
Compiler-directing statements (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Scope terminators
Scope terminators can be explicit or implicit. Explicit scope terminators end a verb
without ending a sentence. They consist of END followed by a hyphen and the
name of the verb being terminated, such as END-IF. An implicit scope terminator is
a period (.) that ends the scope of all previous statements not yet ended.

Each of the two periods in the following program fragment ends an IF statement,
making the code equivalent to the code after it that instead uses explicit scope
terminators:
IF ITEM = “A”
DISPLAY “THE VALUE OF ITEM IS ” ITEM
ADD 1 TO TOTAL
MOVE “C” TO ITEM
DISPLAY “THE VALUE OF ITEM IS NOW ” ITEM.
IF ITEM = “B”
ADD 2 TO TOTAL.
IF ITEM = “A”
DISPLAY “THE VALUE OF ITEM IS ” ITEM
ADD 1 TO TOTAL
MOVE “C” TO ITEM
DISPLAY “THE VALUE OF ITEM IS NOW ” ITEM
END-IF
IF ITEM = “B”
ADD 2 TO TOTAL
END-IF

If you use implicit terminators, the end of statements can be unclear. As a result,
you might end statements unintentionally, changing your program’s logic. Explicit
scope terminators make a program easier to understand and prevent unintentional

20 Programming Guide
 ending of statements. For example, in the program fragment below, changing the
location of the first period in the first implicit scope example changes the meaning
of the code:
IF ITEM = “A”
DISPLAY “VALUE OF ITEM IS ” ITEM
ADD 1 TO TOTAL.
MOVE “C” TO ITEM
DISPLAY “ VALUE OF ITEM IS NOW ” ITEM
IF ITEM = “B”
ADD 2 TO TOTAL.

The MOVE statement and the DISPLAY statement after it are performed regardless of
the value of ITEM, despite what the indentation indicates, because the first period
terminates the IF statement.

For improved program clarity and to avoid unintentional ending of statements, use
explicit scope terminators, especially within paragraphs. Use implicit scope
terminators only at the end of a paragraph or the end of a program.

Be careful when coding an explicit scope terminator for an imperative statement

that is nested within a conditional statement. Ensure that the scope terminator is
paired with the statement for which it was intended. In the following example, the
scope terminator will be paired with the second READ statement, though the
programmer intended it to be paired with the first.
READ FILE1
AT END
MOVE A TO B
READ FILE2
END-READ

To ensure that the explicit scope terminator is paired with the intended statement,
the preceding example can be recoded in this way:
READ FILE1
AT END
MOVE A TO B
READ FILE2
END-READ
END-READ

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Conditional statements” on page 19
“Imperative statements” on page 19

Declaratives
Declaratives provide one or more special-purpose sections that are executed when
an exception condition occurs.

Start each declarative section with a USE statement that identifies the function of
the section; in the procedures, specify the actions to be taken when the condition
occurs.

RELATED TASKS
“Finding and handling input-output errors” on page 339

RELATED REFERENCES
Declaratives (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Chapter 1. Structuring your program 21

22 Programming Guide
Chapter 2. Using data
This section is intended to help the non-COBOL programmer relate terms used in
other programming languages to COBOL terms for data. It introduces COBOL
fundamentals for:
v Variables, structures, literals, and constants
v Assigning and displaying values
v Intrinsic (built-in) functions
v Tables (arrays) and pointers

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Storage and its addressability” on page 33

RELATED TASKS
“Using variables, structures, literals, and constants”
“Assigning values to data items” on page 25
“Displaying values on a screen or in a file (DISPLAY)” on page 30
“Using intrinsic functions (built-in functions)” on page 32
“Using tables (arrays) and pointers” on page 33
Chapter 7, “Coding for run-time use of national languages” on page 103

Using variables, structures, literals, and constants

Most high-level programming languages share the concept of data being
represented as variables, structures, literals, and constants. You place all data
definitions in the DATA DIVISION of your program. The data in a COBOL program
can be alphabetic, alphanumeric, or numeric.

Variables
A variable is a data item; its value can change during a program. The values are
restricted, however, to the data type that you define when you give the variable a
name and a length. For example, if a customer name is a variable in your program,
you could code:
Data Division.
. . .
01 Customer-Name Pic X(20).
01 Original-Customer-Name Pic X(20).
. . .
Procedure Division.
. . .
Move Customer-Name to Original-Customer-Name
. . .

Data structure: data items and group items

Related data items can be parts of a hierarchical data structure. A data item that
does not have any subordinate items is called an elementary data item. A data item
that is composed of subordinated data items is called a group item. A record can be
either an elementary data item or a group of data items.

In this example, Customer-Record is a group item composed of two group items

(Customer-Name and Part-Order), each of which contains elementary data items.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 23

 You can refer to the entire group item or to parts of the group item as shown in
the MOVE statements in the PROCEDURE DIVISION.
Data Division.
File Section.
FD Customer-File
Record Contains 45 Characters.
01 Customer-Record.
05 Customer-Name.
10 Last-Name Pic x(17).
10 Filler Pic x.
10 Initials Pic xx.
05 Part-Order.
10 Part-Name Pic x(15).
10 Part-Color Pic x(10).
Working-Storage Section.
01 Orig-Customer-Name.
05 Surname Pic x(17).
05 Initials Pic x(3).
01 Inventory-Part-Name Pic x(15).
. . .
Procedure Division.
. . .
Move Customer-Name to Orig-Customer-Name
Move Part-Name to Inventory-Part-Name
. . .

Literals
A literal is a character string whose value is given by the characters themselves.
When you know the value you want to use for a data item, use a literal
representation of the data value in the PROCEDURE DIVISION. You do not need to
define it or refer to a data-name. For example, you can prepare an error message
for an output file this way:
Move “Name is not valid” To Customer-Name

You can compare a data item to a certain number this way:

01 Part-number Pic 9(5).
. . .
If Part-number = 03519 then display “Part number was found”

In these examples, “Name is not valid” is an alphanumeric literal, and 03519 is a

numeric literal.

Constants
A constant is a data item that has only one value. COBOL does not define a
construct specifically for constants. However, most COBOL programmers define a
data item with an initial VALUE (as opposed to initializing a variable using the
INITIALIZE statement). For example:
Data Division.
. . .
01 Report-Header pic x(50) value “Company Sales Report”.
. . .
01 Interest pic 9v9999 value 1.0265.

Figurative constants
Certain commonly used constants and literals are provided as reserved words
called figurative constants: ZERO, SPACE, HIGH-VALUE, LOW-VALUE, QUOTE, NULL, and ALL.
Because they represent fixed values, figurative constants do not require a data
definition. For example:

24 Programming Guide
 Move Spaces To Report-Header

RELATED REFERENCES
PICTURE clause (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
Literals (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
Figurative constants (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Assigning values to data items

After you have defined a data item, you can assign a value to it at any time.
Assignment takes many forms in COBOL, depending on what you want to do.

What you want to do How to do it

To assign values to a data item or large Use one of these ways:
data area v INITIALIZE statement
v MOVE statement
v STRING or UNSTRING statement
v VALUE clause (to set data items to the values
you want them to have when the program is
in its initial state)
To assign the results of arithmetic Use the COMPUTE statement.
To replace characters or groups of Use the INSPECT statement.
characters in a data item
To receive values from a file Use the READ (or READ INTO) statement.
To receive values from a screen or a file Use the ACCEPT statement.
To display values on a screen or in a file Use the DISPLAY statement.
To establish a constant1 Use the VALUE clause in the definition of the data
item.2

1. A constant is not a feature of COBOL.

2. For optimized code only: the optimizer recognizes an invariant VALUE item and treats it
as a constant.

“Examples: initializing variables”

RELATED TASKS
“Initializing a structure (INITIALIZE)” on page 27
“Assigning values to variables or structures (MOVE)” on page 27
“Joining data items (STRING)” on page 87
“Splitting data items (UNSTRING)” on page 89
“Assigning arithmetic results (MOVE or COMPUTE)” on page 28
“Tallying and replacing data items (INSPECT)” on page 95
“Assigning input from a screen or file (ACCEPT)” on page 29
“Displaying values on a screen or in a file (DISPLAY)” on page 30
Chapter 7, “Coding for run-time use of national languages” on page 103

Examples: initializing variables

Initializing a variable to blanks or zeros:
INITIALIZE identifier-1

IDENTIFIER-1 PICTURE IDENTIFIER-1 before IDENTIFIER-1 after

9(5) 12345 00000

Chapter 2. Using data 25

 IDENTIFIER-1 PICTURE IDENTIFIER-1 before IDENTIFIER-1 after
X(5) AB123 bbbbb1
99XX9 12AB3 bbbbb1
XXBX/XX ABbC/DE bbbb/bb1
**99.9CR 1234.5CR **00.0bb1
A(5) ABCDE bbbbb1
+99.99E+99 +12.34E+02 +00.00E+00

1. The symbol b represents a blank space.

Initializing a right-justified field:

01 ANJUST PIC X(8) JUSTIFIED RIGHT.
01 ALPHABETIC-1 PIC A(4) VALUE “ABCD”.
. . .
INITIALIZE ANJUST
REPLACING ALPHANUMERIC DATA BY ALPHABETIC-1

ALPHABETIC-1 ANJUST before ANJUST after

ABCD bbbbbbbb1 bbbbABCD1

1. The symbol b represents a blank space.

Initializing an alphanumeric variable:

01 ALPHANUMERIC-1 PIC X.
01 ALPHANUMERIC-3 PIC X(1) VALUE “A”.
. . .
INITIALIZE ALPHANUMERIC-1
REPLACING ALPHANUMERIC DATA BY ALPHANUMERIC-3

ALPHANUMERIC-3 ALPHANUMERIC-1 before ALPHANUMERIC-1 after

A y A

Initializing a numeric variable:

01 NUMERIC-1 PIC 9(8).
01 NUM-INT-CMPT-3 PIC 9(7) COMP VALUE 1234567.
. . .
INITIALIZE NUMERIC-1
REPLACING NUMERIC DATA BY NUM-INT-CMPT-3

NUM-INT-CMPT-3 NUMERIC-1 before NUMERIC-1 after

1234567 98765432 01234567

Initializing an edited alphanumeric variable:

01 ALPHANUM-EDIT-1 PIC XXBX/XXX.
01 ALPHANUM-EDIT-3 PIC X/BB VALUE “M/bbb”.
. . .
INITIALIZE ALPHANUM-EDIT-1
REPLACING ALPHANUMERIC-EDITED DATA BY ALPHANUM-EDIT-3

ALPHANUM-EDIT-3 ALPHANUM-EDIT-1 before ALPHANUM-EDIT-1 after

M/bb1 ABbC/DEF1 M/bb/bbb1

1. The symbol b represents a blank space.

26 Programming Guide
 RELATED TASKS
“Initializing a structure (INITIALIZE)”

Initializing a structure (INITIALIZE)

You can reset the values of all subordinate items in a group by applying the
INITIALIZE statement to the group item. However, it is inefficient to initialize an
entire group unless you really need all the items in the group initialized.

The following example shows how you can reset fields in a transaction record
produced by a program to spaces and zeros. The fields are not identical in each
record produced.
01 TRANSACTION-OUT.
05 TRANSACTION-CODE PIC X.
05 PART-NUMBER PIC 9(6).
05 TRANSACTION-QUANTITY PIC 9(5).
05 PRICE-FIELDS.
10 UNIT-PRICE PIC 9(5)V9(2).
10 DISCOUNT PIC V9(2).
10 SALES-PRICE PIC 9(5)V9(2).
. . .
INITIALIZE TRANSACTION-OUT

Record TRANSACTION-OUT before TRANSACTION-OUT after

1 R001383000240000000000000000 b0000000000000000000000000001
2 R001390000480000000000000000 b0000000000000000000000000001
3 S001410000120000000000000000 b0000000000000000000000000001
4 C001383000000000425000000000 b0000000000000000000000000001
5 C002010000000000000100000000 b0000000000000000000000000001

1. The symbol b represents a blank space.

Assigning values to variables or structures (MOVE)

Use the MOVE statement to assign values to variables or structures.

For example, the following statement assigns the contents of the variable
Customer-Name to the variable Orig-Customer-Name:
Move Customer-Name to Orig-Customer-Name

If Customer-Name were longer than Orig-Customer-Name, truncation would occur on

the right. If it were shorter, the extra character positions on the right would be
filled with spaces.

When you move a group item to another group item, be sure the subordinate data
descriptions are compatible. The compiler performs all MOVE statements regardless
of whether the items fit, even if a destructive overlap could occur at run time.

For variables that contain numbers, moves can be more complicated because there
are several ways numbers are represented. In general, the algebraic values of
numbers are moved if possible (as opposed to the digit-by-digit move performed
with character data):

Chapter 2. Using data 27

 01 Item-x Pic 999v9.
. . .
Move 3.06 to Item-x

This move would result in Item-x containing the value 3.0, represented by 0030.

You can move an alphanumeric item or an integer item to a national variable; the
item is converted. You can move a national item only to another national variable.
In either case padding or truncation might occur, and you must ensure that
truncation does not occur within a character.

The following example shows a data item in the Greek language that moves into a
national data item:
CBL CODEPAGE(00875)
. . .
01 Data-in-Unicode Pic N(100) usage national.
01 Data-in-Greek Pic X(100).
. . .
Read Greek-file into Data-in-Greek
Move Data-in-Greek to Data-in-Unicode

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Unicode and encoding of language characters” on page 105

RELATED REFERENCES
MOVE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
“CODEPAGE” on page 294
“Converting national data” on page 107

Assigning arithmetic results (MOVE or COMPUTE)

When assigning a number to a variable, consider using the COMPUTE statement
instead of the MOVE statement. For example, the following two statements
accomplish the same thing in most cases:
Move w to z
Compute z = w

The MOVE statement carries out the assignment with truncation. You can, however,
specify the DIAGTRUNC compiler option to request that the compiler issue a warning
diagnostic for MOVE statements that might truncate numeric receivers.

When significant left-order digits would be lost in execution, the COMPUTE statement
can detect the condition and allow you to handle it.

When you use the ON SIZE ERROR phrase of the COMPUTE statement, the compiler
generates code to detect a size-overflow condition. If the condition occurs, the code
in the ON SIZE ERROR phrase is performed, and the content of z remains
unchanged. If the ON SIZE ERROR phrase is not specified, the assignment is carried
out with truncation. There is no ON SIZE ERROR support for the MOVE statement.

You can also use the COMPUTE statement to assign the result of an arithmetic
expression (or intrinsic function) to a variable. For example:
Compute z = y + (x ** 3)
Compute x = Function Max(x y z)

Results of date, time, and mathematical calculations, as well as other operations,

can be assigned to data items using Language Environment callable services. These
Language Environment services are available via a standard COBOL CALL

28 Programming Guide
 statement, and the values they return are passed in the parameters in the CALL
statement. For example, you can call the Language Environment service CEESIABS
to find the absolute value of a variable with the statement:
Call ’CEESIABS’ Using Arg, Feedback-code, Result.

As a result of this call, the variable Result is assigned to be the absolute value of
the value that is in the variable Arg; the variable Feedback-code contains the return
code indicating whether the service completed successfully. You have to define all
the variables in the Data Division using the correct descriptions, according to the
requirements of the particular callable service you are using. For the example
above, the variables could be defined like this:
77 Arg Pic s9(9) Binary.
77 Feedback-code Pic x(12) Display.
77 Result Pic s9(9) Binary.

RELATED REFERENCES
“DIAGTRUNC” on page 298
Intrinsic functions (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
Callable services (Language Environment Programming Reference)

Assigning input from a screen or file (ACCEPT)

One way to assign a value to a variable is to read the value from a screen or a file.
To enter data from the screen, first associate the monitor with a mnemonic-name in
the SPECIAL-NAMES paragraph. Then use ACCEPT to assign the line of input entered
at the screen to a variable.

For example:
Environment Division.
Configuration Section.
Special-Names.
Console is Names-Input.
. . .
Accept Customer-Name From Names-Input

To read from a file instead of the screen, make the following change:
v Change Console to device, where device is any valid system device (for example,
SYSIN). For example:
SYSIN is Names-Input

Note that device can be a ddname that references a hierarchical file system (HFS)
path. If this DD is not defined and your program is running in a UNIX
environment, stdin is the input source. If this DD is not defined and your
program is not running in a UNIX environment, the ACCEPT statement fails.

When you assign a value to a national data item, input data from the console is
converted from EBCDIC to Unicode representation (UTF-16), based on the value of
the CODEPAGE option. This is the only situation where conversion of national data is
done when you use the ACCEPT statement, because the input is known to be
coming from a screen.

If you want conversion done when the input data is from any other device, use the
NATIONAL-OF intrinsic function.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Unicode and encoding of language characters” on page 105

Chapter 2. Using data 29

 RELATED REFERENCES
“CODEPAGE” on page 294
SPECIAL-NAMES paragraph (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Displaying values on a screen or in a file (DISPLAY)

You can display the value of a variable on a screen or write it to a file by using the
DISPLAY statement. For example:
Display “No entry for surname ’” Customer-Name
“’ found in the file.”.

If the content of the variable Customer-Name is JOHNSON, then the statement

above displays the following message on the system logical output device:
No entry for surname ’JOHNSON’ found in the file.

To write data to a destination other than the system logical output device, use the
UPON clause with a destination other than SYSOUT. For example, the following
statement writes to the file specified in the SYSPUNCH DD statement:
Display “Hello” upon syspunch.

You can specify a file in the hierarchical file system (HFS) with this ddname. For
example, with the following definition, your DISPLAY output is written to the HFS
file /u/userid/cobol/demo.lst:
//SYSPUNCH DD PATH=’/u/userid/cobol/demo.lst’,
// PATHOPTS=(OWRONLY,OCREAT,OTRUNC),PATHMODE=SIRWXU,
// FILEDATA=TEXT

The following statement writes to the job log or console and to the TSO screen if
you are running under TSO:
Display “Hello” upon console.

When you display the value of a national data item to the console, it is converted
from Unicode representation (UTF-16) to EBCDIC, based on the value of the
CODEPAGE option. This is the only situation where conversion of national data is
done when you use the DISPLAY statement, because the output is known to be
directed to a screen.

If you want a national data item to be converted when you direct output to a
different device, use the DISPLAY-OF intrinsic function, such as in this example:
01 Data-in-Unicode pic N(10) usage national.
. . .
Display function Display-of(Data-in-Unicode, 00037)

Displaying data on the system logical output device

To write data to the system logical output device, either omit the UPON clause or
use the UPON clause with destination SYSOUT. For example:
Display “Hello” upon sysout.

The output is directed to the ddname that you specify in the OUTDD compiler
option. You can specify a file in the hierarchical file system (HFS) with this
ddname.

If the OUTDD ddname is not allocated and you are not running in a UNIX
environment, a default DD of SYSOUT=* is allocated.

30 Programming Guide
 If the OUTDD ddname is not allocated and you are running in a UNIX environment,
the _IGZ_SYSOUT environment variable is used as follows:
Undefined or set to stdout
Output is routed to stdout (file descriptor 1).
Set to stderr
Output is routed to stderr (file descriptor 2).
Otherwise (set to something other than stdout or stderr)
The DISPLAY statement fails; a severity-3 Language Environment condition
is raised.

When DISPLAY output is routed to stdout or stderr, the output is not subdivided
into records; rather the output is written as a single stream of characters without
line breaks.

If OUTDD and the Language Environment run-time option MSGFILE both specify the
same ddname, DISPLAY output and Language Environment run-time diagnostics
are both routed to the Language Environment message file.

Using WITH NO ADVANCING

If you specify the WITH NO ADVANCING phrase and the output is going to a ddname,
the printer control character + (plus) is placed into the first output position from
the next DISPLAY statement. + is the ANSI-defined printer control character that
suppresses line spacing before a record is printed.

If you specify the WITH NO ADVANCING phrase and the output is going to stdout or
stderr, a new-line character is not appended to the end of the stream. A subsequent
DISPLAY statement might add additional characters to the end of the stream.

If you do not specify WITH NO ADVANCING and the output is going to a ddname, the
printer control character ’ ’ (space) is placed into the first output position from the
next DISPLAY statement, indicating single-spaced output.

For example:
DISPLAY “ABC”
DISPLAY “CDEF” WITH NO ADVANCING
DISPLAY “GHIJK” WITH NO ADVANCING
DISPLAY “LMNOPQ”
DISPLAY “RSTUVWX”

If you use the statements above, the result sent to the output device is:
ABC
CDEF
+GHIJK
+LMNOPQ
RSTUVMX

The output printed depends on how the output device interprets printer control
characters.

If you do not specify the WITH NO ADVANCING phrase and the output is going to
stdout or stderr, a new-line character is appended to the end of the stream.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Unicode and encoding of language characters” on page 105

Chapter 2. Using data 31

 RELATED TASKS
“Setting and accessing environment variables” on page 398
“Coding COBOL programs to run under CICS” on page 375
“Converting national data” on page 107

RELATED REFERENCES
DISPLAY statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
“OUTDD” on page 313
“CODEPAGE” on page 294

Using intrinsic functions (built-in functions)

Some high-level programming languages have built-in functions that you can
reference in your program as if they were variables having defined attributes and a
predetermined value. In COBOL, these are called intrinsic functions. They provide
capabilities for manipulating strings and numbers.

Because the value of an intrinsic function is derived automatically at the time of

reference, you do not need to define functions in the DATA DIVISION. Define only
the nonliteral data items that you use as arguments. Figurative constants are not
allowed as arguments.

A function-identifier is the combination of the COBOL reserved word FUNCTION

followed by a function name (such as Max), followed by any arguments to be used
in the evaluation of the function (such as x, y, z).

The groups of highlighted words in the following examples are referred to as

function-identifiers.
Unstring Function Upper-case(Name) Delimited By Space Into Fname Lname
Compute A = 1 + Function Log10(x)
Compute M = Function Max(x y z)

A function-identifier represents both the invocation of the function and the data
value returned by the function. Because it actually represents a data item, you can
use a function-identifier in most places in the PROCEDURE DIVISION where a data
item having the attributes of the returned value can be used.

The COBOL word function is a reserved word, but the function-names are not
reserved. You can use them in other contexts, such as for the name of a variable.
For example, you could use Sqrt to invoke an intrinsic function and to name a
variable in your program:
Working-Storage Section.
01 x Pic 99 value 2.
01 y Pic 99 value 4.
01 z Pic 99 value 0.
01 Sqrt Pic 99 value 0.
. . .
Compute Sqrt = 16 ** .5
Compute z = x + Function Sqrt(y)
. . .

Types of intrinsic functions

A function-identifier represents a value that is either a character string
(alphanumeric data class) or a number (numeric data class) depending on the type
of function. You can include a substring specification (reference modifier) in a
function-identifier for alphanumeric functions. Numeric intrinsic functions are
further classified according to the type of numbers they return.

32 Programming Guide
 The functions MAX, MIN, DATEVAL, and UNDATE can return either type of value
depending on the type of arguments you supply.

The functions DATEVAL, UNDATE, and YEARWINDOW are provided with the millennium
language extensions to assist with manipulating and converting windowed date
fields.

Nesting functions
Functions can reference other functions as arguments as long as the results of the
nested functions meet the requirements for the arguments of the outer function.
For example:
Compute x = Function Max((Function Sqrt(5)) 2.5 3.5)

In this case, Function Sqrt(5) returns a numeric value. Thus, the three arguments
to the MAX function are all numeric, which is an allowable argument type for this
function.

RELATED TASKS
“Processing table items using intrinsic functions” on page 73
“Converting data items (intrinsic functions)” on page 96
“Evaluating data items (intrinsic functions)” on page 99

Using tables (arrays) and pointers

In COBOL, arrays are called tables. A table is a set of logically consecutive data
items that you define in the DATA DIVISION by using the OCCURS clause.

Pointers are data items that contain virtual storage addresses. You define them
explicitly with the USAGE IS POINTER clause in the DATA DIVISION or implicitly as
ADDRESS OF special registers.

You can perform the following operations on pointer data items:

v Pass them between programs by using the CALL . . . BY REFERENCE statement
v Move them to other pointers by using the SET statement
v Compare them to other pointers for equality by using a relation condition
v Initialize them to contain an address that is not valid by using VALUE IS NULL

Use pointer data items to:

v Accomplish limited base addressing, particularly if you want to pass and receive
addresses of a record area that is defined with OCCURS DEPENDING ON and is
therefore variably located.
v Handle a chained list.

RELATED TASKS
“Defining a table (OCCURS)” on page 59
“Using procedure and function pointers” on page 420

Storage and its addressability

When you run your COBOL programs, the programs and the data that they use
reside in virtual storage. Storage that you use with COBOL can be either below the
16-MB line or above the 16-MB line but below the 2-GB bar. Two modes of
addressing are available to address this storage: 24-bit and 31-bit.

Chapter 2. Using data 33

 You can address storage below (but not above) the 16-MB line with 24-bit
addressing. You can address storage either above or below the 16-MB line with
31-bit addressing. Unrestricted storage is addressable by 31-bit addressing and
therefore encompasses all the storage available to your program, both above and
below the 16-MB line.

Enterprise COBOL does not directly exploit the 64-bit virtual addressing capability
of z/OS, however COBOL applications running in 31-bit or 24-bit addressing mode
are fully supported on 64-bit z/OS systems.

Addressing mode (AMODE) is the attribute that tells which hardware addressing mode
is supported by your program: 24-bit addressing, 31-bit addressing, or either 24-bit
or 31-bit addressing. This attribute is AMODE 24, AMODE 31, or AMODE ANY,
respectively. The object program, the load module, and the executing program each
has an AMODE attribute. All Enterprise COBOL object programs are AMODE ANY.

Residency mode (RMODE) is the attribute of a program load module that identifies
where in virtual storage the program will reside: below the 16-MB line, or either
below or above. This attribute is RMODE 24 or RMODE ANY.

Enterprise COBOL uses Language Environment services to control the storage used
at run time. Thus COBOL compiler options and Language Environment run-time
options influence the AMODE and RMODE attributes of your program and data, alone
and in combination:
DATA Compiler option that influences the location of storage for working-storage
data, I-O buffers, and parameter lists.
RMODE Compiler option that influences the residency mode.
RENT Compiler option to generate a reentrant program and that influences the
location of storage and the residency mode of your program.
HEAP Run-time option that controls storage for the run-time heap. For example,
COBOL working storage is allocated from heap storage.
STACK Run-time option that controls storage for the run-time stack. For example,
COBOL local storage is allocated from stack storage.
ALL31 Run-time option that specifies whether an application can run entirely in
AMODE 31.

Settings for RMODE

The RMODE and RENT options determine the RMODE attribute of your program:

RMODE compiler option RENT compiler option RMODE attribute

RMODE(AUTO) NORENT RMODE 24
RMODE(AUTO) RENT RMODE ANY
RMODE(24) RENT or NORENT RMODE 24
RMODE(ANY) RENT or NORENT RMODE ANY

Storage restrictions for passing data

Do not pass parameters that are allocated in storage above the 16-MB line to AMODE
24 subprograms. Force the WORKING-STORAGE data and parameter lists below the line
for programs that run in 31-bit addressing mode and pass data to programs that
run in AMODE 24:

34 Programming Guide
 v Compile reentrant programs (RENT) with DATA(24).
| v Compile nonreentrant programs (NORENT) with RMODE(24) or RMODE(AUTO).
v Nonreentrant programs (NORENT) compiled with RMODE(ANY) must be link-edited
with RMODE 24. The data areas for NORENT programs are above the 16-MB line or
| below the 16-MB line depending on where the program is loaded, even if the
| program was compiled with DATA(24). The DATA option does not affect programs
compiled with NORENT.

Location of data areas

For reentrant programs, the DATA compiler option and the HEAP run-time option
control whether storage for data areas such as WORKING-STORAGE SECTION and FD
record areas is obtained from below the 16-MB line or from unrestricted storage.
Compile programs with RENT or RMODE(ANY) if they will be run with 31-bit
addressing in virtual storage addresses above the 16-MB line. The DATA option does
not affect programs compiled with NORENT.

When you specify the run-time option HEAP(,,BELOW), the DATA compiler option has
no effect; the storage for LOCAL-STORAGE SECTION data areas is allocated from below
the 16-MB line. However, with HEAP(,,ANYWHERE) as the run-time option, storage
for data areas is allocated from below the 16-MB line if you compiled the program
with the DATA(24) compiler option, or from unrestricted storage if you compiled
with the DATA(31) compiler option.

The location of LOCAL-STORAGE data items is controlled by the STACK run-time

option and the AMODE of the program. LOCAL-STORAGE data items are acquired in
unrestricted storage when the STACK(,,ANYWHERE) run-time option is in effect and
the program is running in AMODE 31. Otherwise LOCAL-STORAGE is acquired below
the 16-MB line. The DATA compiler option does not influence the location of
LOCAL-STORAGE data.

Storage for external data

In addition to affecting how storage is obtained for dynamic data areas
(WORKING-STORAGE, FD record areas, and parameter lists), the DATA compiler option
can also influence where storage for EXTERNAL data is obtained. Storage required for
EXTERNAL data will be obtained from unrestricted storage if the following
conditions are met:
v The program is compiled with the DATA(31) and RENT or the RMODE(ANY) and
NORENT compiler options.
v The HEAP(,,ANYWHERE) run-time option is in effect.
v The ALL31(ON) run-time option is in effect.

In all other cases, the storage for EXTERNAL data will be obtained from below the
16-MB line. When you specify the ALL31(ON) run-time option, all the programs in
the run unit must be capable of running in 31-bit addressing mode.

Storage for QSAM input-output buffers

The DATA compiler option can also influence where input-output buffers for QSAM
files are obtained. See the related references below for information about allocation
of buffers for QSAM files and the DATA compiler option.

RELATED CONCEPTS
AMODE considerations for heap storage (Language Environment Programming Guide)

Chapter 2. Using data 35

 RELATED TASKS
Chapter 24, “Using subprograms” on page 407
Chapter 25, “Sharing data” on page 423

RELATED REFERENCES
“Allocation of buffers for QSAM files” on page 140
“DATA” on page 296
“RENT” on page 316
“RMODE” on page 317
“Performance-related compiler options” on page 563
HEAP (Language Environment Programming Reference)
STACK (Language Environment Programming Reference)
ALL31 (Language Environment Programming Reference)
z/OS DFSMS: Program Management

36 Programming Guide
Chapter 3. Working with numbers and arithmetic
In general, you can view COBOL numeric data as a series of decimal digit
positions. However, numeric items can also have special properties such as an
arithmetic sign or a currency sign.

This section describes how to define, display, and store numeric data so that you
can perform arithmetic operations efficiently:
v Use the PICTURE clause and the characters 9, +, -, P, S, and V to define numeric
data.
v Use the PICTURE clause and editing characters (such as Z, comma, and period)
along with MOVE and DISPLAY statements to display numeric data.
v Use the USAGE clause with various formats to control how numeric data is stored.
v Use the numeric class test to validate that data values are appropriate.
v Use ADD, SUBTRACT, MULTIPLY, DIVIDE, and COMPUTE statements to perform
arithmetic.
v Use the CURRENCY SIGN clause and appropriate PICTURE characters to designate
the currency you want.

RELATED TASKS
“Defining numeric data”
“Displaying numeric data” on page 38
“Controlling how numeric data is stored” on page 39
“Checking for incompatible data (numeric class test)” on page 46
“Performing arithmetic” on page 47
“Using currency signs” on page 55

Defining numeric data

Define numeric items by using the PICTURE clause with the character 9 in the data
description to represent the decimal digits of the number. Do not use an X, which
is for alphanumeric items:
05 Count-y Pic 9(4) Value 25.
05 Customer-name Pic X(20) Value “Johnson”.

You can code up to 18 digits in the PICTURE clause when you compile using the
default compiler option ARITH(COMPAT) (referred to as compatibility mode). When
you compile using ARITH(EXTEND) (referred to as extended mode), you can code up
to 31 digits in the PICTURE clause.

Other characters of special significance that you can code are:

P Indicates leading or trailing zeroes
S Indicates a sign, positive or negative
V Implies a decimal point

The s in the following example means that the value is signed:

05 Price Pic s99v99.

The field can therefore hold a positive or a negative value. The v indicates the
position of an implied decimal point, but does not contribute to the size of the

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 37

 item because it does not require a storage position. An s usually does not
contribute to the size of a numeric item, because by default it does not require a
storage position.

However, if you plan to port your program or data to a different machine, you
might want to code the sign as a separate position in storage. In this case, the sign
takes 1 byte:
05 Price Pic s99V99 Sign Is Leading, Separate.

This coding ensures that the convention your machine uses for storing a
nonseparate sign will not cause unexpected results on a machine that uses a
different convention.

Separate signs are also preferable for data items that will be printed or displayed.

You cannot use the PICTURE clause with internal floating-point data (COMP-1 or
COMP-2). However, you can use the VALUE clause to provide an initial value for a
floating-point literal:
05 Compute-result Usage Comp-2 Value 06.23E-24.

“Examples: numeric data and internal representation” on page 42

RELATED CONCEPTS
Appendix A, “Intermediate results and arithmetic precision” on page 577

RELATED TASKS
“Displaying numeric data”
“Controlling how numeric data is stored” on page 39
“Performing arithmetic” on page 47

RELATED REFERENCES
“Sign representation and processing” on page 45
“ARITH” on page 291
“NUMPROC” on page 310

Displaying numeric data

You can define numeric items with certain editing symbols (such as decimal points,
commas, dollar signs, and debit or credit signs) to make the data easier to read
and understand when you display it or print it. For example, in the code below,
Edited-price is a numeric-edited item:
05 Price Pic 9(5)v99.
05 Edited-price Pic $zz,zz9.99.
. . .
Move Price To Edited-price
Display Edited-price

If the contents of Price are 0150099 (representing the value 1,500.99), then
$ 1,500.99 is displayed when you run the code. The z in the PICTURE clause of
Edited-price indicates the suppression of leading zeros.

You cannot use numeric-edited items as operands in arithmetic expressions or in

ADD, SUBTRACT, MULTIPLY, DIVIDE, or COMPUTE statements. You use numeric-edited
items primarily for displaying or printing numeric data. (You can specify the
clause USAGE IS DISPLAY for numeric-edited items; however, it is implied. It means
that the items are stored in character format.)

38 Programming Guide
 You can move numeric-edited items to numeric or numeric-edited items. In the
following example, the value of the numeric-edited item is moved to the numeric
item:
Move Edited-price to Price
Display Price

If these two statements immediately followed the statements in the previous

example, then Price would be displayed as 0150099, representing the value
1,500.99.

“Examples: numeric data and internal representation” on page 42

RELATED TASKS
“Controlling how numeric data is stored”
“Defining numeric data” on page 37
“Performing arithmetic” on page 47

RELATED REFERENCES
MOVE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Controlling how numeric data is stored

You can control how the computer stores numeric data items by coding the USAGE
clause in your data description entries. You might want to control the format for
any of several reasons such as these:
v Arithmetic on computational data types is more efficient than on USAGE DISPLAY
data types.
v Packed-decimal format requires less storage per digit than USAGE DISPLAY data
types.
v Packed-decimal format converts to and from DISPLAY format more efficiently
than binary format does.
v Floating-point format is well suited for arithmetic operands and results with
widely varying scale, while maintaining the maximal number of significant
digits.
v You might need to preserve data formats when you move data from one
machine to another.

The numeric data you use in your program will have one of the following formats
available with COBOL:
v External decimal (USAGE DISPLAY)
v External floating point (USAGE DISPLAY)
v Internal decimal (USAGE PACKED-DECIMAL)
v Binary (USAGE BINARY)
v Native binary (USAGE COMP-5)
v Internal floating point (USAGE COMP-1, USAGE COMP-2)

COMP and COMP-4 are synonymous with BINARY, and COMP-3 is synonymous with
PACKED-DECIMAL.

The compiler converts displayable numbers to the internal representation of their

numeric values before using them in arithmetic operations. Therefore it is often
more efficient if you define data items as BINARY or PACKED-DECIMAL rather than as
DISPLAY. For example:

Chapter 3. Working with numbers and arithmetic 39

 05 Initial-count Pic S9(4) Usage Binary Value 1000.

Regardless of which USAGE clause you use to control the internal representation of a
value, you use the same PICTURE clause conventions and decimal value in the
VALUE clause (except for floating-point data, for which you cannot use a PICTURE
clause).

“Examples: numeric data and internal representation” on page 42

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Formats for numeric data”
“Data format conversions” on page 43
Appendix A, “Intermediate results and arithmetic precision” on page 577

RELATED TASKS
“Defining numeric data” on page 37
“Displaying numeric data” on page 38
“Performing arithmetic” on page 47

RELATED REFERENCES
“Conversions and precision” on page 44
“Sign representation and processing” on page 45

Formats for numeric data

The following are the available formats for numeric data.

External decimal (DISPLAY) items

When USAGE DISPLAY is in effect for a data item (either because you have coded it,
or by default), each position (byte) of storage contains one decimal digit. This
means the items are stored in displayable form.

External decimal (also known as zoned decimal) items are primarily intended for
receiving and sending numbers between your program and files, terminals, or
printers. You can also use external decimal items as operands and receivers in
arithmetic processing. However, if your program performs a lot of intensive
arithmetic and efficiency is a high priority, COBOL’s computational numeric types
might be a better choice for the data items used in the arithmetic.

External floating-point (DISPLAY) items

Displayable numbers coded in a floating-point format are called external
floating-point items. As with external decimal items, you define external
floating-point items explicitly by coding USAGE DISPLAY or implicitly by omitting
the USAGE clause. You cannot use the VALUE clause for external floating-point items.

In the following example, Compute-Result is implicitly defined as an external

floating-point item. Each byte of storage contains one of the characters (except for
the v).
05 Compute-Result Pic -9v9(9)E-99.

The minus signs (-) do not mean that the mantissa and exponent must necessarily
be negative numbers. Instead, they mean that when the number is displayed, the
sign appears as a blank for positive numbers or a minus sign for negative
numbers. If you instead code a plus sign (+), the sign appears as a plus sign for
positive numbers or a minus sign for negative numbers.

40 Programming Guide
 As with external decimal numbers, external floating-point numbers have to be
converted (by the compiler) to an internal representation of their numeric value
before they can be used in arithmetic operations. If you compile with the default
option ARITH (COMPAT), external floating-point numbers are converted to long
(64-bit) floating-point format. If you compile with ARITH (EXTEND), they are instead
converted to extended-precision (128-bit) floating-point format.

Binary (COMP) items

BINARY, COMP, and COMP-4 are synonyms on all platforms.

Binary format numbers occupy 2, 4, or 8 bytes of storage. If the PICTURE clause

specifies that the item is signed, the leftmost bit is used as the operational sign.

A binary number with a PICTURE description of four or fewer decimal digits

occupies 2 bytes; five to nine decimal digits, 4 bytes; and 10 to 18 decimal digits, 8
bytes. Binary items with nine or more digits require more handling by the
compiler. Testing them for the SIZE ERROR condition and rounding is more
cumbersome than with other types.

You can use binary items, for example, for indexes, subscripts, switches, and
arithmetic operands or results.

Use the TRUNC(STD|OPT|BIN) compiler option to indicate how binary data (BINARY,
COMP, or COMP-4) is to be truncated.

Native binary (COMP-5) items

COMP-5 is a USAGE type based on the X/Open COBOL specification.

Data items that you declare as USAGE COMP-5 are represented in storage as binary
data. However, unlike USAGE COMP items, they can contain values of magnitude up
to the capacity of the native binary representation (2, 4, or 8 bytes) rather than
being limited to the value implied by the number of 9s in the PICTURE clause.

When you move or store numeric data into a COMP-5 item, truncation occurs at the
binary field size rather than at the COBOL PICTURE size limit. When you reference
a COMP-5 item, the full binary field size is used in the operation.

COMP-5 is thus particularly useful for binary data items originating in non-COBOL
programs where the data might not conform to a COBOL PICTURE clause.

The table below shows the ranges of values possible for COMP-5 data items.

PICTURE Storage representation Numeric values

S9(1) through S9(4) Binary halfword (2 bytes) -32768 through +32767
S9(5) through S9(9) Binary fullword (4 bytes) -2,147,483,648 through +2,147,483,647
S9(10) through Binary doubleword (8 -9,223,372,036,854,775,808 through
S9(18) bytes) +9,223,372,036,854,775,807
9(1) through 9(4) Binary halfword (2 bytes) 0 through 65535
9(5) through 9(9) Binary fullword (4 bytes) 0 through 4,294,967,295
9(10) through 9(18) Binary doubleword (8 0 through 18,446,744,073,709,551,615
bytes)

Chapter 3. Working with numbers and arithmetic 41

 You can specify scaling (that is, decimal positions or implied integer positions) in
the PICTURE clause of COMP-5 items. If you do so, you must appropriately scale the
maximal capacities listed above. For example, a data item you describe as PICTURE
S99V99 COMP-5 is represented in storage as a binary halfword, and supports a range
of values from -327.68 through +327.67.

Large literals in VALUE clauses: Literals specified in VALUE clauses for COMP-5 items
can, with a few exceptions, contain values of magnitude up to the capacity of the
native binary representation. See Enterprise COBOL Language Reference for the
exceptions.

Regardless of the setting of the TRUNC compiler option, COMP-5 data items behave
like binary data does in programs compiled with TRUNC(BIN).

Packed-decimal (COMP-3) items

PACKED-DECIMAL and COMP-3 are synonyms on all platforms.

Packed-decimal items occupy 1 byte of storage for every two decimal digits you
code in the PICTURE description, except that the rightmost byte contains only one
digit and the sign. This format is most efficient when you code an odd number of
digits in the PICTURE description, so that the leftmost byte is fully used.
Packed-decimal items are handled as fixed-point numbers for arithmetic purposes.

Floating-point (COMP-1 and COMP-2) items

COMP-1 refers to short floating-point format and COMP-2 refers to long floating-point
format, which occupy 4 and 8 bytes of storage, respectively. The leftmost bit
contains the sign and the next 7 bits contain the exponent; the remaining 3 or 7
bytes contain the mantissa.

COMP-1 and COMP-2 data items are stored in z900 hexadecimal format.

RELATED CONCEPTS
Appendix A, “Intermediate results and arithmetic precision” on page 577

RELATED REFERENCE
VALUE clause (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
“TRUNC” on page 326

Examples: numeric data and internal representation

This table shows the internal representation of numeric items.

PICTURE and USAGE and

Numeric type optional SIGN clause Value Internal representation
External PIC S9999 DISPLAY + 1234 F1 F2 F3 C4
decimal - 1234 F1 F2 F3 D4
1234 F1 F2 F3 C4
PIC 9999 DISPLAY 1234 F1 F2 F3 F4
PIC S9999 DISPLAY + 1234 C1 F2 F3 F4
SIGN LEADING - 1234 D1 F2 F3 F4
PIC S9999 DISPLAY + 1234 4E F1 F2 F3 F4
SIGN LEADING SEPARATE - 1234 60 F1 F2 F3 F4
PIC S9999 DISPLAY + 1234 F1 F2 F3 F4 4E
SIGN TRAILING SEPARATE - 1234 F1 F2 F3 F4 60

42 Programming Guide
 PICTURE and USAGE and
Numeric type optional SIGN clause Value Internal representation
Binary PIC S9999 BINARY + 1234 04 D2
COMP - 1234 FB 2E
COMP-4
COMP-5 + 123451 30 39
- 123451 CF C7
PIC 9999 BINARY 1234 04 D2
COMP
COMP-4
COMP-5 600001 EA 60
Internal PIC S9999 PACKED-DECIMAL + 1234 01 23 4C
decimal COMP-3 - 1234 01 23 4D
PIC 9999 PACKED-DECIMAL + 1234 01 23 4F
COMP-3 - 1234 01 23 4F
Internal COMP-1 + 1234 43 4D 20 00
floating
point
Internal COMP-2 + 1234 43 4D 20 00 00 00 00 00
floating - 1234 C3 4D 20 00 00 00 00 00
point
External PIC +9(2).9(2)E+99 DISPLAY + 1234 4E F1 F2 4B F3
floating F4 C5 4E F0 F2
point
- 1234 60 F1 F2 4B F3
F4 C5 4E F0 F2

1. The example demonstrates that COMP-5 data items can contain values of magnitude up to the capacity of the
native binary representation (2, 4, or 8 bytes), rather than being limited to the value implied by the number of 9s
in the PICTURE clause.

Data format conversions

When the code in your program involves the interaction of items with different
data formats, the compiler converts these items as follows:
v Temporarily, for comparisons and arithmetic operations
v Permanently, for assignment to the receiver in a MOVE or COMPUTE statement

A conversion is actually a move of a value from one data item to another. The
compiler performs any conversions that are required during the execution of
arithmetic or comparisons with the same rules that are used for MOVE and COMPUTE
statements.

When possible, the compiler performs a move to preserve numeric value as

opposed to a direct digit-for-digit move.

Conversion generally requires additional storage and processing time because data
is moved to an internal work area and converted before the operation is
performed. The results might also have to be moved back into a work area and
converted again.

Conversions between fixed-point data formats (external decimal, packed decimal,

or binary) are without loss of precision as long as the target field can contain all
the digits of the source operand.

Chapter 3. Working with numbers and arithmetic 43

 A loss of precision is possible in conversions between fixed-point data formats and
floating-point data formats (short floating point, long floating point, or external
floating point). These conversions happen during arithmetic evaluations that have
a mixture of both fixed-point and floating-point operands.

RELATED REFERENCES
“Conversions and precision”
“Sign representation and processing” on page 45

Conversions and precision

Because both fixed-point and external floating-point items have decimal
characteristics, references to fixed-point items in the following examples include
external floating-point items also unless stated otherwise.

When the compiler converts from fixed-point to internal floating-point format,

fixed-point numbers in base 10 are converted to the numbering system used
internally.

When the compiler converts short form to long form for comparisons, zeros are
used for padding the shorter number.

When a USAGE COMP-1 data item is moved to a fixed-point data item with more
than nine digits, the fixed-point data item will receive only nine significant digits,
and the remaining digits will be zero.

When a USAGE COMP-2 data item is moved to a fixed-point data item with more
than 18 digits, the fixed-point data item will receive only 18 significant digits, and
the remaining digits will be zero.

Conversions that preserve precision

If a fixed-point data item with six or fewer digits is moved to a USAGE COMP-1 data
item and then returned to the fixed-point data item, the original value is recovered.

If a USAGE COMP-1 data item is moved to a fixed-point data item of nine or more
digits and then returned to the USAGE COMP-1 data item, the original value is
recovered.

If a fixed-point data item with 15 or fewer digits is moved to a USAGE COMP-2 data
item and then returned to the fixed-point data item, the original value is recovered.

If a USAGE COMP-2 data item is moved to a fixed-point (not external floating-point)

data item of 18 or more digits and then returned to the USAGE COMP-2 data item,
the original value is recovered.

Conversions that result in rounding

If a USAGE COMP-1 data item, a USAGE COMP-2 data item, an external floating-point
data item, or a floating-point literal is moved to a fixed-point data item, rounding
occurs in the low-order position of the target data item.

If a USAGE COMP-2 data item is moved to a USAGE COMP-1 data item, rounding occurs
in the low-order position of the target data item.

If a fixed-point data item is moved to an external floating-point data item and the
PICTURE of the fixed-point data item contains more digit positions than the PICTURE
of the external floating-point data item, rounding occurs in the low-order position
of the target data item.

44 Programming Guide
 RELATED CONCEPTS
Appendix A, “Intermediate results and arithmetic precision” on page 577

Sign representation and processing

Sign representation affects the processing and interaction of your numeric data.

Given X’sd’, where s is the sign representation and d represents the digit, the valid
sign representations for external decimal (USAGE DISPLAY without the SIGN IS
SEPARATE clause) are:
Positive:
C, A, E, and F
Negative:
D and B

The COBOL NUMPROC compiler option affects sign processing for external decimal
and internal decimal data. NUMPROC has no effect on binary data or floating-point
data.

NUMPROC(PFD)
Given X’sd’, where s is the sign representation and d represents the digit, when you
use NUMPROC(PFD), the compiler assumes that the sign in your data is one of three
preferred signs:
Signed positive or 0:
X’C’
Signed negative:
X’D’
Unsigned or alphanumeric:
X’F’

Based on this assumption, the compiler uses whatever sign it is given to process
data. The preferred sign is generated only where necessary (for example, when
unsigned data is moved to signed data). Using the NUMPROC(PFD) option can save
processing time, but you must use preferred signs with your data for correct
processing.

NUMPROC(NOPFD)
When the NUMPROC(NOPFD) compiler option is in effect, the compiler accepts any
valid sign configuration. The preferred sign is always generated in the receiver.
NUMPROC(NOPFD) is less efficient than NUMPROC(PFD), but you should use it whenever
data that does not use preferred signs might exist.

If an unsigned, external-decimal sender is moved to an alphanumeric receiver, the

sign is unchanged (even with NUMPROC(NOPFD)).

NUMPROC(MIG)
When NUMPROC(MIG) is in effect, the compiler generates code that is similar to that
produced by OS/VS COBOL. This option can be especially useful if you migrate
OS/VS COBOL programs to IBM Enterprise COBOL for z/OS and OS/390.

RELATED REFERENCES
“NUMPROC” on page 310

Chapter 3. Working with numbers and arithmetic 45

Checking for incompatible data (numeric class test)
The compiler assumes that the values you supply for a data item are valid for the
item’s PICTURE and USAGE clauses, and assigns the values without checking for
validity. When you give an item a value that is incompatible with its data
description, references to that item in the PROCEDURE DIVISION are undefined and
your results will be unpredictable.

It can happen that values are passed into your program and assigned to items that
have incompatible data descriptions for those values. For example, nonnumeric
data might be moved or passed into a field that is defined as numeric. Or a signed
number might be passed into a field that is defined as unsigned. In both cases, the
receiving fields contain invalid data. Ensure that the contents of a data item
conform to its PICTURE and USAGE clauses before using the data item in any further
processing steps.

You can use the numeric class test to perform data validation. For example:
Linkage Section.
01 Count-x Pic 999.
. . .
Procedure Division Using Count-x.
If Count-x is numeric then display “Data is good”

The numeric class test checks the contents of a data item against a set of values
that are valid for the particular PICTURE and USAGE of the data item. For example, a
packed-decimal item is checked for hexadecimal values X’0’ through X’9’ in the
digit positions, and for a valid sign value in the sign position (whether separate or
nonseparate).

For external decimal, external floating-point, and packed-decimal items, the

numeric class test is affected by the NUMPROC compiler option and the NUMCLS option
(which is set at installation time). To determine the NUMCLS setting used at your
installation, consult your system programmer.

If NUMCLS(PRIM) is in effect at your installation, use the following table to find the
values that the compiler considers valid for the sign.

NUMPROC(NOPFD) NUMPROC(PFD) NUMPROC(MIG)

Signed C, D, F C, D, +0 (positive C, D, F
zero)
Unsigned F F F
Separate sign +, - +, -, +0 (positive +, -
zero)

If NUMCLS(ALT) is in effect at your installation, use the following table to find the
values that the compiler considers valid for the sign.

NUMPROC(NOPFD) NUMPROC(PFD) NUMPROC(MIG)

Signed A to F C, D, +0 (positive A to F
zero)
Unsigned F F F
Separate sign +, - +, -, +0 (positive +, -
zero)

46 Programming Guide
 RELATED REFERENCES
“NUMPROC” on page 310

Performing arithmetic
You can use any of several COBOL language features to perform arithmetic:
v “COMPUTE and other arithmetic statements”
v “Arithmetic expressions”
v “Numeric intrinsic functions” on page 48
v “Math and date Language Environment services” on page 49

COMPUTE and other arithmetic statements

Use the COMPUTE statement for most arithmetic evaluations rather than ADD,
SUBTRACT, MULTIPLY, and DIVIDE statements. Often you can code one COMPUTE
statement instead of several individual statements.

The COMPUTE statement assigns the result of an arithmetic expression to one or

more data items:
Compute z = a + b / c ** d - e
Compute x y z = a + b / c ** d - e

Some arithmetic might be more intuitive using arithmetic statements other than
COMPUTE. For example:

COMPUTE Equivalent arithmetic statements

Compute Increment = Add 1 to Increment

Increment + 1

Compute Balance = Subtract Overdraft

Balance - Overdraft from Balance

Compute IncrementOne = Add 1 to IncrementOne,

IncrementOne + 1 IncrementTwo,
Compute IncrementTwo = IncrementThree
IncrementTwo + 1
Compute IncrementThree =
IncrementThree + 1

You might also prefer to use the DIVIDE statement (with its REMAINDER phrase) for
division in which you want to process a remainder. The REM intrinsic function also
provides the ability to process a remainder.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Fixed-point versus floating-point arithmetic” on page 53
Appendix A, “Intermediate results and arithmetic precision” on page 577

Arithmetic expressions
You can use arithmetic expressions in many (but not all) places in statements
where numeric data items are allowed. For example, you can use arithmetic
expressions as comparands in relation conditions:
If (a + b) > (c - d + 5) Then. . .

Chapter 3. Working with numbers and arithmetic 47

 Arithmetic expressions can consist of a single numeric literal, a single numeric data
item, or a single intrinsic function reference. They can also consist of several of
these items connected by arithmetic operators. Arithmetic operators are evaluated
in the following order of precedence:

Operator Meaning Order of evaluation

Unary + or - Algebraic sign First
** Exponentiation Second
/ or * Division or multiplication Third
Binary + or - Addition or subtraction Last

Operators at the same level of precedence are evaluated from left to right;
however, you can use parentheses to change the order of evaluation. Expressions
in parentheses are evaluated before the individual operators are evaluated.
Parentheses, necessary or not, make your program easier to read.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Fixed-point versus floating-point arithmetic” on page 53
Appendix A, “Intermediate results and arithmetic precision” on page 577

Numeric intrinsic functions

You can use numeric intrinsic functions only in places where numeric expressions
are allowed. These functions can save you time because you don’t have to code the
many common types of calculations that they provide.

Numeric intrinsic functions return a signed numeric value. They are treated as
temporary numeric data items.

Many of the capabilities of numeric intrinsic functions are also provided by

Language Environment callable services.

Numeric functions are classified into these categories:

Integer
Those that return an integer
Floating point
Those that return a long (64-bit) or extended-precision (128-bit)
floating-point value (depending on whether you compile using the default
option ARITH(COMPAT) or using ARITH(EXTEND))
Mixed Those that return an integer, a floating-point value, or a fixed-point
number with decimal places, depending on the arguments

You can use intrinsic functions to perform several different arithmetic operations,
as outlined in the following table.

48 Programming Guide
Number handling Date and time Finance Mathematics Statistics
LENGTH CURRENT-DATE ANNUITY ACOS MEAN
MAX DATE-OF-INTEGER PRESENT-VALUE ASIN MEDIAN
MIN DATE-TO-YYYYMMDD ATAN MIDRANGE
NUMVAL DATEVAL COS RANDOM
NUMVAL-C DAY-OF-INTEGER FACTORIAL RANGE
ORD-MAX DAY-TO-YYYYDDD INTEGER STANDARD-DEVIATION
ORD-MIN INTEGER-OF-DATE INTEGER-PART VARIANCE
INTEGER-OF-DAY LOG
UNDATE LOG10
WHEN-COMPILED MOD
YEAR-TO-YYYY REM
YEARWINDOW SIN
SQRT
SUM
TAN

“Examples: numeric intrinsic functions” on page 51

Nesting functions and arithmetic expressions

You can reference one function as the argument of another. A nested function is
evaluated independently of the outer function, except when determining whether a
mixed function should be evaluated using fixed-point or floating-point
instructions.

You can also nest an arithmetic expression as an argument to a numeric function:

Compute x = Function Sum(a b (c / d))

In this example, there are only three function arguments: a, b, and the arithmetic
expression (c / d).

ALL subscripting and special registers

You can reference all the elements of a table (or array) as function arguments by
using the ALL subscript.

You can use the integer special registers as arguments wherever integer arguments
are allowed.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Fixed-point versus floating-point arithmetic” on page 53
Appendix A, “Intermediate results and arithmetic precision” on page 577

RELATED REFERENCES
“ARITH” on page 291

Math and date Language Environment services

Many of the capabilities of COBOL intrinsic functions are also provided by
Language Environment callable services. Language Environment callable services
provide a means of assigning arithmetic results to data items. They include
mathematical functions, and date and time operations.

Math-oriented callable services

For most COBOL intrinsic functions there are corresponding math-oriented callable
services you can use that produce the same results, as shown in the following
table. When you compile with the default option ARITH(COMPAT), COBOL
floating-point intrinsic functions return long (64-bit) results. When you compile

Chapter 3. Working with numbers and arithmetic 49

 with option ARITH(EXTEND), COBOL floating-point intrinsic functions (with the
exception of RANDOM) return extended-precision (128-bit) results.

So for example (considering the first row of the table), if you compile using
ARITH(COMPAT), CEESDACS returns the same result as ACOS. If you compile using
ARITH(EXTEND), CEESQACS returns the same result as ACOS.

Corresponding Corresponding Results same for intrinsic

COBOL intrinsic long-precision Language extended-precision Language function and callable
function Environment callable service Environment callable service service?
ACOS CEESDACS CEESQACS Yes
ASIN CEESDASN CEESQASN Yes
ATAN CEESDATN CEESQATN Yes
COS CEESDCOS CEESQCOS Yes
LOG CEESDLOG CEESQLOG Yes
LOG10 CEESDLG1 CEESQLG1 Yes
RANDOM 1
CEERAN0 none No
REM CEESDMOD CEESQMOD Yes
SIN CEESDSIN CEESQSIN Yes
SQRT CEESDSQT CEESQSQT Yes
TAN CEESDTAN CEESQTAN Yes

1. RANDOM returns a long (64-bit) floating-point result even if you pass it a 31-digit argument and compile using
option ARITH(EXTEND).

Both the RANDOM intrinsic function and CEERAN0 service generate random
numbers between zero and one. However, because each uses its own algorithm,
RANDOM and CEERAN0 produce different random numbers from the same seed.

Even for functions that produce the same results, how you use intrinsic functions
and Language Environment callable services differs. The rules for the data types
required for intrinsic function arguments are less restrictive. For numeric intrinsic
functions, you can use arguments that are of any numeric data type. When you
invoke a Language Environment callable service with a CALL statement, however,
you must ensure that the parameters match the numeric data types required by
that service (generally COMP-1 or COMP-2).

The error handling of intrinsic functions and Language Environment callable

services sometimes differs. If you pass an explicit feedback token when calling the
Language Environment math services, you must check the feedback code after
each call and take explicit action to deal with errors. However, if you call with the
feedback token explicitly OMITTED, you do not need to check the token; Language
Environment automatically signals any errors.

Date callable services

Both the COBOL date intrinsic functions and the Language Environment date
callable services are based on the Gregorian calendar. However, the starting dates
can differ depending on the setting of the INTDATE compiler option. When the
default setting of INTDATE(ANSI) is in effect, COBOL uses January 1, 1601 as day 1.
When INTDATE(LILIAN) is in effect, COBOL uses October 15, 1582 as day 1.
Language Environment always uses October 15, 1582 as day 1.

50 Programming Guide
 This means that if you use INTDATE(LILIAN), you get equivalent results from
COBOL intrinsic functions and Language Environment callable date services.

The following table shows the results when INTDATE(ANSI) is in effect.

COBOL intrinsic Language Environment callable

function service Results
INTEGER-OF-DATE CEECBLDY Compatible
DATE-OF-INTEGER CEEDATE with picture string YYYYMMDD Incompatible
DAY-OF-INTEGER CEEDATE with picture string YYYYDDD Incompatible
INTEGER-OF-DATE CEEDAYS Incompatible

The following table shows the results when INTDATE(LILIAN) is in effect.

COBOL intrinsic Language Environment callable

function service Results
DATE-OF-INTEGER CEEDATE with picture string YYYYMMDD Compatible
DAY-OF-INTEGER CEEDATE with picture string YYYYDDD Compatible
INTEGER-OF-DATE CEEDAYS Compatible
INTEGER-OF-DATE CEECBLDY Incompatible

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Fixed-point versus floating-point arithmetic” on page 53
Appendix A, “Intermediate results and arithmetic precision” on page 577

RELATED TASKS
“Using Language Environment callable services” on page 571

RELATED REFERENCES
“ARITH” on page 291

Examples: numeric intrinsic functions

The following examples and accompanying explanations show intrinsic functions
in each of several categories.

General number handling

Suppose you want to find the maximum value of two prices (represented as
alphanumeric items with dollar signs), put this value into a numeric field in an
output record, and determine the length of the output record. You can use
NUMVAL-C (a function that returns the numeric value of an alphanumeric string) and
the MAX and LENGTH functions to do this:
01 X Pic 9(2).
01 Price1 Pic x(8) Value “$8000”.
01 Price2 Pic x(8) Value “$2000”.
01 Output-Record.
05 Product-Name Pic x(20).
05 Product-Number Pic 9(9).
05 Product-Price Pic 9(6).
. . .
Procedure Division.
Compute Product-Price =
Function Max (Function Numval-C(Price1) Function Numval-C(Price2))
Compute X = Function Length(Output-Record)

Chapter 3. Working with numbers and arithmetic 51

 Additionally, to ensure that the contents in Product-Name are in uppercase letters,
you can use the following statement:
Move Function Upper-case (Product-Name) to Product-Name

Date and time

The following example shows how to calculate a due date that is 90 days from
today. The first eight characters returned by the CURRENT-DATE function represent
the date in a four-digit year, two-digit month, and two-digit day format (YYYYMMDD).
The date is converted to its integer value; then 90 is added to this value and the
integer is converted back to the YYYYMMDD format.
01 YYYYMMDD Pic 9(8).
01 Integer-Form Pic S9(9).
. . .
Move Function Current-Date(1:8) to YYYYMMDD
Compute Integer-Form = Function Integer-of-Date(YYYYMMDD)
Add 90 to Integer-Form
Compute YYYYMMDD = Function Date-of-Integer(Integer-Form)
Display ’Due Date: ’ YYYYMMDD

Finance
Business investment decisions frequently require computing the present value of
expected future cash inflows to evaluate the profitability of a planned investment.
The present value of an amount that you expect to receive at a given time in the
future is that amount, which, if invested today at a given interest rate, would
accumulate to that future amount.

For example, assume that a proposed investment of $1,000 produces a payment

stream of $100, $200, and $300 over the next three years, one payment per year
respectively. The following COBOL statements calculate the present value of those
cash inflows at a 10% interest rate:
01 Series-Amt1 Pic 9(9)V99 Value 100.
01 Series-Amt2 Pic 9(9)V99 Value 200.
01 Series-Amt3 Pic 9(9)V99 Value 300.
01 Discount-Rate Pic S9(2)V9(6) Value .10.
01 Todays-Value Pic 9(9)V99.
. . .
Compute Todays-Value =
Function
Present-Value(Discount-Rate Series-Amt1 Series-Amt2 Series-Amt3)

You can use the ANNUITY function in business problems that require you to
determine the amount of an installment payment (annuity) necessary to repay the
principal and interest of a loan. The series of payments is characterized by an
equal amount each period, periods of equal length, and an equal interest rate each
period. The following example shows how you can calculate the monthly payment
required to repay a $15,000 loan in three years at a 12% annual interest rate (36
monthly payments, interest per month = .12/12):
01 Loan Pic 9(9)V99.
01 Payment Pic 9(9)V99.
01 Interest Pic 9(9)V99.
01 Number-Periods Pic 99.
. . .
Compute Loan = 15000
Compute Interest = .12
Compute Number-Periods = 36
Compute Payment =
Loan * Function Annuity((Interest / 12) Number-Periods)

52 Programming Guide
 Mathematics
The following COBOL statement demonstrates that you can nest intrinsic
functions, use arithmetic expressions as arguments, and perform previously
complex calculations simply:
Compute Z = Function Log(Function Sqrt (2 * X + 1)) + Function Rem(X 2)

Here in the addend the intrinsic function REM (instead of a DIVIDE statement with a
REMAINDER clause) returns the remainder of dividing X by 2.

Statistics
Intrinsic functions make calculating statistical information easier. Assume you are
analyzing various city taxes and want to calculate the mean, median, and range
(the difference between the maximum and minimum taxes):
01 Tax-S Pic 99v999 value .045.
01 Tax-T Pic 99v999 value .02.
01 Tax-W Pic 99v999 value .035.
01 Tax-B Pic 99v999 value .03.
01 Ave-Tax Pic 99v999.
01 Median-Tax Pic 99v999.
01 Tax-Range Pic 99v999.
. . .
Compute Ave-Tax = Function Mean (Tax-S Tax-T Tax-W Tax-B)
Compute Median-Tax = Function Median (Tax-S Tax-T Tax-W Tax-B)
Compute Tax-Range = Function Range (Tax-S Tax-T Tax-W Tax-B)

Fixed-point versus floating-point arithmetic

Many statements in your program could involve arithmetic. For example, each of
the following types of COBOL statements requires some arithmetic evaluation:
v General arithmetic
compute report-matrix-col = (emp-count ** .5) + 1
add report-matrix-min to report-matrix-max giving report-matrix-tot
v Expressions and functions
compute report-matrix-col = function sqrt(emp-count) + 1
compute whole-hours = function integer-part((average-hours) + 1)
v Arithmetic comparisons
if report-matrix-col < function sqrt(emp-count) + 1
if whole-hours not = function integer-part((average-hours) + 1)

How you code arithmetic in your program (whether an arithmetic statement, an

intrinsic function, an expression, or some combination of these nested within each
other) determines whether the evaluation is in floating-point or fixed-point
arithmetic.

Floating-point evaluations
In general, if your arithmetic coding has either of the characteristics listed below, it
is evaluated in floating-point arithmetic:
v An operand or result field is floating point.
An operand is floating point if you code it as a floating-point literal or if you
code it as data item defined as USAGE COMP-1, USAGE COMP-2, or external floating
point (USAGE DISPLAY with a floating-point PICTURE).
An operand that is a nested arithmetic expression or a reference to a numeric
intrinsic function results in floating-point arithmetic when any of the following
is true:
– An argument in an arithmetic expression results in floating point.

Chapter 3. Working with numbers and arithmetic 53

 – The function is a floating-point function.
– The function is a mixed function with one or more floating-point arguments.
v An exponent contains decimal places.
An exponent contains decimal places if you use a literal that contains decimal
places, give the item a PICTURE containing decimal places, or use an arithmetic
expression or function whose result has decimal places.

An arithmetic expression or numeric function yields a result with decimal places if

any operand or argument (excluding divisors and exponents) has decimal places.

Fixed-point evaluations
In general, if an arithmetic operation contains neither of the characteristics listed
above for floating point, the compiler will cause it to be evaluated in fixed-point
arithmetic. In other words, arithmetic evaluations are handled as fixed point only if
all the operands are fixed point, the result field is defined to be fixed point, and
none of the exponents represent values with decimal places. Nested arithmetic
expressions and function references must also represent fixed-point values.

Arithmetic comparisons (relation conditions)

When you compare numeric expressions using a relational operator, the numeric
expressions (whether they are data items, arithmetic expressions, function
references, or some combination of these) are comparands in the context of the
entire evaluation. That is, the attributes of each can influence the evaluation of the
other: both expressions are evaluated in fixed point, or both are evaluated in
floating point. This is also true of abbreviated comparisons even though one
comparand does not explicitly appear in the comparison. For example:
if (a + d) = (b + e) and c

This statement has two comparisons: (a + d) = (b + e), and (a + d) = c.

Although (a + d) does not explicitly appear in the second comparison, it is a
comparand in that comparison. Therefore, the attributes of c can influence the
evaluation of (a + d).

The compiler handles comparisons (and the evaluation of any arithmetic

expressions nested in comparisons) in floating-point arithmetic if either comparand
is a floating-point value or resolves to a floating-point value.

The compiler handles comparisons (and the evaluation of any arithmetic

expressions nested in comparisons) in fixed-point arithmetic if both comparands
are fixed-point values or resolve to fixed-point values.

Implicit comparisons (no relational operator used) are not handled as a unit,
however; the two comparands are treated separately as to their evaluation in
floating-point or fixed-point arithmetic. In the following example, five arithmetic
expressions are evaluated independently of one another’s attributes, and then are
compared to each other.
evaluate (a + d)
when (b + e) thru c
when (f / g) thru (h * i)
. . .
end-evaluate

“Examples: fixed-point and floating-point evaluations” on page 55

54 Programming Guide
 RELATED REFERENCES
“Arithmetic expressions in nonarithmetic statements” on page 586

Examples: fixed-point and floating-point evaluations

Assume you define the data items for an employee table in the following manner:
01 employee-table.
05 emp-count pic 9(4).
05 employee-record occurs 1 to 1000 times
depending on emp-count.
10 hours pic +9(5)e+99.
. . .
01 report-matrix-col pic 9(3).
01 report-matrix-min pic 9(3).
01 report-matrix-max pic 9(3).
01 report-matrix-tot pic 9(3).
01 average-hours pic 9(3)v9.
01 whole-hours pic 9(4).

These statements are evaluated using floating-point arithmetic:

compute report-matrix-col = (emp-count ** .5) + 1
compute report-matrix-col = function sqrt(emp-count) + 1
if report-matrix-tot < function sqrt(emp-count) + 1

These statements are evaluated using fixed-point arithmetic:

add report-matrix-min to report-matrix-max giving report-matrix-tot
compute report-matrix-max =
function max(report-matrix-max report-matrix-tot)
if whole-hours not = function integer-part((average-hours) + 1)

Using currency signs

Many programs need to process financial information and present that information
using the appropriate currency signs. With COBOL currency support (and the
appropriate code page for your printer or display unit), you can use one or more
of the following signs in a program:
v Symbols such as the dollar sign ($)
v Currency signs of more than one character (such as USD, DEM, EUR)
v Euro sign, established by the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU)

To specify the symbols for displaying financial information, use the CURRENCY SIGN
clause (in the SPECIAL-NAMES paragraph in the CONFIGURATION SECTION) with the
PICTURE characters that relate to the symbols. In the following example, the
PICTURE character $ indicates that the currency sign $US is to be used:
Currency Sign is “$US” with Picture Symbol “$”.
. . .
77 Invoice-Amount Pic $$,$$9.99.
. . .
Display “Invoice amount is ” Invoice-Amount.

In this example, if Invoice-Amount contained 1500.00, the display output would be:
Invoice amount is $US1,500.00

By using more than one CURRENCY SIGN clause in your program, you can allow for
multiple currency signs to be displayed.

Chapter 3. Working with numbers and arithmetic 55

 You can use a hexadecimal literal to indicate the currency sign value. This could be
useful if the data-entry method for the source program does not allow the entry of
the intended characters easily. The following example shows the hex value X’9F’
used as the currency sign:
Currency Sign X’9F’ with Picture Symbol ’U’.
. . .
01 Deposit-Amount Pic UUUUU9.99.

If there is no corresponding character for the euro sign on your keyboard, you
need to specify it as a hexadecimal value in the CURRENCY SIGN clause. The
hexadecimal value for the euro sign is either X’9F’ or X’5A’ depending on the code
page in use, as shown in the following table.

Modified
Code page Applicable countries from Euro sign
IBM-1140 USA, Canada, Netherlands, Portugal, IBM-037 X’9F’
Australia, New Zealand
IBM-1141 Austria, Germany IBM-273 X’9F’
IBM-1142 Denmark, Norway IBM-277 X’5A’
IBM-1143 Finland, Sweden IBM-278 X’5A’
IBM-1144 Italy IBM-280 X’9F’
IBM-1145 Spain, Latin America - Spanish IBM-284 X’9F’
IBM-1146 UK IBM-285 X’9F’
IBM-1147 France IBM-297 X’9F’
IBM-1148 Belgium, Canada, Switzerland IBM-500 X’9F’
IBM-1149 Iceland IBM-871 X’9F’

“Example: multiple currency signs”

Example: multiple currency signs

The following example shows how you can display values in both euro currency
(as EUR) and French francs (as FRF):
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
PROGRAM-ID. EuroExample.
Environment Division.
Configuration Section.
Special-Names.
Currency Sign is “FRF ” with Picture Symbol “F”
Currency Sign is “EUR ” with Picture Symbol “U”.
Data Division.
Working-Storage Section.
01 Deposit-in-Euro Pic S9999V99 Value 8000.00.
01 Deposit-in-FRF Pic S99999V99.
01 Deposit-Report.
02 Report-in-Franc Pic -FFFFF9.99.
02 Report-in-Euro Pic -UUUUU9.99.
. . .
01 EUR-to-FRF-Conv-Rate Pic 9V99999 Value 6.78901.
. . .
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
Report-Deposit-in-FRF-and-EUR.
Move Deposit-in-Euro to Report-in-Euro
. . .
Compute Deposit-in-FRF Rounded
= Deposit-in-Euro * EUR-to-FRF-Conv-Rate

56 Programming Guide
 On Size Error
Perform Conversion-Error
Not On Size Error
Move Deposit-in-FRF to Report-in-Franc
Display “Deposit in Euro = ” Report-in-Euro
Display “Deposit in Franc = ” Report-in-Franc
End-Compute
. . .
Goback.
Conversion-Error.
Display “Conversion error from EUR to FRF”
Display “Euro value: ” Report-in-Euro.

The above example produces the following display output:

Deposit in Euro = EUR 8000.00
Deposit in Franc = FRF 54312.08

The exchange rate used in this example is for illustrative purposes only.

Chapter 3. Working with numbers and arithmetic 57

58 Programming Guide
Chapter 4. Handling tables
A table is a collection of data items that have the same description, such as account
totals or monthly averages. A table is the COBOL equivalent of an array of
elements. It consists of a table name and subordinate items called table elements.

In the example above, SAMPLE-TABLE-ONE is the group item that contains the table.
TABLE-COLUMN names the table element of a one-dimensional table that occurs three
times.

Rather than define repetitious items as separate, consecutive entries in the DATA
DIVISION, you can use the OCCURS clause in the DATA DIVISION entry to define a
table. This practice has these advantages:
v The code clearly shows the unity of the items (the table elements).
v You can use subscripts and indexes to refer to the table elements.
v You can easily repeat data items.

Tables are important for increasing the speed of a program, especially one that
looks up records.

RELATED TASKS
“Defining a table (OCCURS)”
“Referring to an item in a table” on page 61
“Putting values into a table” on page 64
“Nesting tables” on page 60
“Creating variable-length tables (DEPENDING ON)” on page 68
“Searching a table” on page 71
“Processing table items using intrinsic functions” on page 73
“Handling tables efficiently” on page 557

Defining a table (OCCURS)

To code a table, give the table a group name and define a subordinate item (the
table element) that is to be repeated n times. table-name is the group name in the
following example:
01 table-name.
05 element-name OCCURS n TIMES.
. . . (subordinate items of the table element might follow)

The table element definition (which includes the OCCURS clause) is subordinate to
the group item that contains the table. The OCCURS clause cannot appear in a
level-01 description.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 59

 To create tables of two to seven dimensions, use nested OCCURS clauses.

RELATED TASKS
“Creating variable-length tables (DEPENDING ON)” on page 68
“Nesting tables”
“Putting values into a table” on page 64
“Referring to an item in a table” on page 61
“Searching a table” on page 71

RELATED REFERENCES
OCCURS clause (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Nesting tables
To create a two-dimensional table, define a one-dimensional table in each
occurrence of another one-dimensional table. For example:

In SAMPLE-TABLE-TWO, TABLE-ROW is an element of a one-dimensional table that

occurs two times. TABLE-COLUMN is an element of a two-dimensional table that
occurs three times in each occurrence of TABLE-ROW.

To create a three-dimensional table, define a one-dimensional table in each

occurrence of another one-dimensional table, which is itself contained in each
occurrence of another one-dimensional table. For example:

In SAMPLE-TABLE-THREE, TABLE-DEPTH is an element of a one-dimensional table that

occurs two times. TABLE-ROW is an element of a two-dimensional table that occurs
two times within each occurrence of TABLE-DEPTH. TABLE-COLUMN is an element of a
three-dimensional table that occurs three times within each occurrence of
TABLE-ROW.

Subscripting
In a two-dimensional table, the two subscripts correspond to the row and column
numbers. In a three-dimensional table, the three subscripts correspond to the
depth, row, and column numbers.

60 Programming Guide
 The following valid references to SAMPLE-TABLE-THREE use literal subscripts. The
spaces are required in the second example.
TABLE-COLUMN (2, 2, 1)
TABLE-COLUMN (2 2 1)

In either table reference, the first value (2) refers to the second occurrence within
TABLE-DEPTH, the second value (2) refers to the second occurrence within TABLE-ROW,
and the third value (1) refers to the first occurrence within TABLE-COLUMN.

The following reference to SAMPLE-TABLE-TWO uses variable subscripts. The reference

is valid if SUB1 and SUB2 are data names that contain positive integer values within
the range of the table.
TABLE-COLUMN (SUB1 SUB2)

Indexing
Consider the following three-dimensional table, SAMPLE-TABLE-FOUR:
01 SAMPLE-TABLE-FOUR
05 TABLE-DEPTH OCCURS 3 TIMES INDEXED BY INX-A.
10 TABLE-ROW OCCURS 4 TIMES INDEXED BY INX-B.
15 TABLE-COLUMN OCCURS 8 TIMES INDEXED BY INX-C PIC X(8).

Suppose you code the following relative indexing reference to SAMPLE-TABLE-FOUR:

TABLE-COLUMN (INX-A + 1, INX-B + 2, INX-C - 1)

This reference causes the following computation of the displacement to the

TABLE-COLUMN element:
(contents of INX-A) + (256 * 1)
+ (contents of INX-B) + (64 * 2)
+ (contents of INX-C) - (8 * 1)

This calculation is based on the following element lengths:

v Each occurrence of TABLE-DEPTH is 256 bytes in length (4 * 8 * 8).
v Each occurrence of TABLE-ROW is 64 bytes in length (8 * 8).
v Each occurrence of TABLE-COLUMN is 8 bytes in length.

RELATED TASKS
“Defining a table (OCCURS)” on page 59
“Referring to an item in a table”
“Putting values into a table” on page 64
“Creating variable-length tables (DEPENDING ON)” on page 68
“Searching a table” on page 71
“Processing table items using intrinsic functions” on page 73
“Handling tables efficiently” on page 557

RELATED REFERENCES
OCCURS clause (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Referring to an item in a table

A table element has a collective name, but the individual items within it do not
have unique data names.

To refer to an item, you have a choice of three techniques:

v Use the data name of the table element, along with its occurrence number
(called a subscript) in parentheses. This technique is called subscripting.

Chapter 4. Handling tables 61

 v Use the data name of the table element, along with a value (called an index) that
is added to the address of the table to locate an item (the displacement from the
beginning of the table). This technique is called indexing, or subscripting using
index-names.
v Use both subscripts and indexes together.

RELATED TASKS
“Indexing” on page 63
“Subscripting”

Subscripting
The lowest possible subscript value is 1, which points to the first occurrence of the
table element. In a one-dimensional table, the subscript corresponds to the row
number.

You can use a data-name or a literal for a subscript.

If a data item with a literal subscript is of fixed length, the compiler resolves the
location of the data item.

When you use a data-name as a variable subscript, you must describe the data
name as an elementary numeric integer. The most efficient format is COMPUTATIONAL
(COMP) with a PICTURE size smaller than five digits. You cannot use a subscript with
a data-name that is used as a subscript.

The code generated for the application resolves the location of a variable subscript
at run time.

You can increment or decrement a literal or variable subscript by a specified

integer amount. For example:
TABLE-COLUMN (SUB1 - 1, SUB2 + 3)

You can change part of a table element rather than the whole element. Simply refer
to the character position and length of the substring to be changed within the
subscripted element. For example:
01 ANY-TABLE.
05 TABLE-ELEMENT PIC X(10)
OCCURS 3 TIMES
VALUE “ABCDEFGHIJ”.
. . .
MOVE “??” TO TABLE-ELEMENT (1) (3 : 2).

The MOVE statement moves the value ?? into table element number 1, beginning at
character position 3, for a length of 2:

RELATED TASKS
“Indexing” on page 63

62 Programming Guide
 “Putting values into a table” on page 64
“Searching a table” on page 71
“Handling tables efficiently” on page 557

Indexing
You can create an index either with a particular table (using OCCURS INDEXED BY) or
separately (using USAGE IS INDEX).

For example:
05 TABLE-ITEM PIC X(8)
OCCURS 10 INDEXED BY INX-A.

The compiler calculates the value contained in the index as the occurrence number
(subscript) minus 1, multiplied by the length of the table element. Therefore, for
the fifth occurrence of TABLE-ITEM, the binary value contained in INX-A is (5 - 1) * 8,
or 32.

You can use this index to index another table only if both table descriptions have
the same number of table elements, and the table elements are the same length.

If you use USAGE IS INDEX to create an index, you can use the index data item with
any table. For example:
77 INX-B USAGE IS INDEX.
. . .
PERFORM VARYING INX-B FROM 1 BY 1 UNTIL INX-B > 10
DISPLAY TABLE-ITEM (INX-B)
. . .
END-PERFORM.

INX-B is used to traverse table TABLE-ITEM above, but could be used to traverse
other tables also.

You can increment or decrement an index-name by an unsigned numeric literal.

The literal is considered to be an occurrence number. It is converted to an index
value before being added to or subtracted from the index-name.

Initialize the index-name with a SET, PERFORM VARYING, or SEARCH ALL statement.
You can then also use it in SEARCH or relational condition statements. To change the
value, use a PERFORM, SEARCH, or SET statement.

Use the SET statement to assign to an index the value that you stored in the index
data item defined by USAGE IS INDEX. For example, when you load records into a
variable-length table, you can store the index value of the last record read in a data
item defined as USAGE IS INDEX. Then you can test for the end of the table by
comparing the current index value with the index value of the last record. This
technique is useful when you look through or process the table.

Because you are comparing a physical displacement, you can use index data items
only in SEARCH and SET statements or for comparisons with indexes or other index
data items. You cannot use index data items as subscripts or indexes.

RELATED TASKS
“Subscripting” on page 62
“Putting values into a table” on page 64

Chapter 4. Handling tables 63

 “Searching a table” on page 71
“Processing table items using intrinsic functions” on page 73
“Handling tables efficiently” on page 557

RELATED REFERENCES
INDEXED BY phrase (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
INDEX phrase (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Putting values into a table

Use one of these methods to put values into a table:
v Load the table dynamically.
v Initialize the table (INITIALIZE statement).
v Assign values when you define the table (VALUE clause).

RELATED TASKS
“Loading a table dynamically”
“Loading a variable-length table” on page 69
“Initializing a table (INITIALIZE)”
“Assigning values when you define a table (VALUE)” on page 65
“Assigning values to a variable-length table” on page 70

Loading a table dynamically

If the initial values of your table are different with each execution of your
program, you can define the table without initial values. You can then read the
changed values into the table before your program refers to the table.

To load a table, use the PERFORM statement and either subscripting or indexing.

When reading data to load your table, test to make sure that the data does not
exceed the space allocated for the table. Use a named value (rather than a literal)
for the item count. Then, if you make the table bigger, you need to change only
one value, instead of all references to a literal.

“Example: PERFORM and subscripting” on page 66

“Example: PERFORM and indexing” on page 67

RELATED REFERENCES
PERFORM with VARYING phrase (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Initializing a table (INITIALIZE)

You can load your table with a value during execution with the INITIALIZE
statement. For example, to fill a table with 3s, you can use this code:
INITIALIZE TABLE-ONE REPLACING NUMERIC DATA BY 3.

The INITIALIZE statement cannot load a variable-length table (one that was defined
using OCCURS DEPENDING ON).

RELATED REFERENCES
INITIALIZE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

64 Programming Guide
Assigning values when you define a table (VALUE)
If your table contains stable values (such as days and months), set the specific
values your table holds when you define it.

Define static values in WORKING-STORAGE in one of these ways:

v Initialize each table item individually.
v Initialize an entire table at the 01 level.
v Initialize all occurrences of a given table element to the same value.

Initializing each table item individually

If your table is small, you can use this technique:
1. Declare a record that contains the same items as are in your table.
2. Set the initial value of each item in a VALUE clause.
3. Code a REDEFINES entry to make the record into a table.

For example:
***********************************************************
*** E R R O R F L A G T A B L E ***
***********************************************************
01 Error-Flag-Table Value Spaces.
88 No-Errors Value Spaces.
05 Type-Error Pic X.
05 Shift-Error Pic X.
05 Home-Code-Error Pic X.
05 Work-Code-Error Pic X.
05 Name-Error Pic X.
05 Initials-Error Pic X.
05 Duplicate-Error Pic X.
05 Not-Found-Error Pic X.
01 Filler Redefines Error-Flag-Table.
05 Error-Flag Occurs 8 Times
Indexed By Flag-Index Pic X.

(In this example, the items could all be initialized with one VALUE clause at the 01
level, because each item was being initialized to the same value.)

To initialize larger tables, use MOVE, PERFORM, or INITIALIZE statements.

Initializing a table at the 01 level

Code a level-01 record and assign to it, through the VALUE clause, the contents of
the whole table. Then, in a subordinate level data item, use an OCCURS clause to
define the individual table items.

For example:
01 TABLE-ONE VALUE “1234”.
05 TABLE-TWO OCCURS 4 TIMES PIC X.

Initializing all occurrences of a table element

You can use the VALUE clause on a table element to initialize the element to the
indicated value. For example:
01 T2.
05 T-OBJ PIC 9 VALUE 3.
05 T OCCURS 5 TIMES
DEPENDING ON T-OBJ.
10 X PIC XX VALUE “AA”.
10 Y PIC 99 VALUE 19.
10 Z PIC XX VALUE “BB”.

Chapter 4. Handling tables 65

 The above code causes all the X elements (1 through 5) to be initialized to AA, all
the Y elements (1 through 5) to be initialized to 19, and all the Z elements (1
through 5) to be initialized to BB. T-OBJ is then set to 3.

RELATED REFERENCES
REDEFINES clause (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
PERFORM statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
INITIALIZE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
OCCURS clause (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Example: PERFORM and subscripting

This example traverses an error flag table using subscripting until an error code
that has been set is found. If an error code is found, the corresponding error
message is moved to a print report field.
. . .
***********************************************************
*** E R R O R F L A G T A B L E ***
***********************************************************
01 Error-Flag-Table Value Spaces.
88 No-Errors Value Spaces.
05 Type-Error Pic X.
05 Shift-Error Pic X.
05 Home-Code-Error Pic X.
05 Work-Code-Error Pic X.
05 Name-Error Pic X.
05 Initials-Error Pic X.
05 Duplicate-Error Pic X.
05 Not-Found-Error Pic X.
01 Filler Redefines Error-Flag-Table.
05 Error-Flag Occurs 8 Times
77 ERROR-ON Pic X Value “E”.
Indexed By Flag-Index Pic X.
***********************************************************
*** E R R O R M E S S A G E T A B L E ***
***********************************************************
01 Error-Message-Table.
05 Filler Pic X(25) Value
“Transaction Type Invalid”.
05 Filler Pic X(25) Value
“Shift Code Invalid”.
05 Filler Pic X(25) Value
“Home Location Code Inval.”.
05 Filler Pic X(25) Value
“Work Location Code Inval.”.
05 Filler Pic X(25) Value
“Last Name - Blanks”.
05 Filler Pic X(25) Value
“Initials - Blanks”.
05 Filler Pic X(25) Value
“Duplicate Record Found”.
05 Filler Pic X(25) Value
“Commuter Record Not Found”.
01 Filler Redefines Error-Message-Table.
05 Error-Message Occurs 8 Times
Indexed By Message-Index Pic X(25).
. . .
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
. . .
Perform
Varying Sub From 1 By 1
Until No-Errors
If Error-Flag (Sub) = Error-On
Move Space To Error-Flag (Sub)

66 Programming Guide
 Move Error-Message (Sub) To Print-Message
Perform 260-Print-Report
End-If
End-Perform
. . .

Example: PERFORM and indexing

This example traverses an error flag table using indexing until an error code that
has been set is found. If an error code is found, the corresponding error message is
moved to a print report field.
. . .
***********************************************************
*** E R R O R F L A G T A B L E ***
***********************************************************
01 Error-Flag-Table Value Spaces.
88 No-Errors Value Spaces.
05 Type-Error Pic X.
05 Shift-Error Pic X.
05 Home-Code-Error Pic X.
05 Work-Code-Error Pic X.
05 Name-Error Pic X.
05 Initials-Error Pic X.
05 Duplicate-Error Pic X.
05 Not-Found-Error Pic X.
01 Filler Redefines Error-Flag-Table.
05 Error-Flag Occurs 8 Times
Indexed By Flag-Index Pic X.
***********************************************************
*** E R R O R M E S S A G E T A B L E ***
***********************************************************
01 Error-Message-Table.
05 Filler Pic X(25) Value
“Transaction Type Invalid”.
05 Filler Pic X(25) Value
“Shift Code Invalid”.
05 Filler Pic X(25) Value
“Home Location Code Inval.”.
05 Filler Pic X(25) Value
“Work Location Code Inval.”.
05 Filler Pic X(25) Value
“Last Name - Blanks”.
05 Filler Pic X(25) Value
“Initials - Blanks”.
05 Filler Pic X(25) Value
“Duplicate Record Found”.
05 Filler Pic X(25) Value
“Commuter Record Not Found”.
01 Filler Redefines Error-Message-Table.
05 Error-Message Occurs 8 Times
Indexed By Message-Index Pic X(25).
. . .
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
. . .
Set Flag-Index To 1
Perform Until No-Errors
Search Error-Flag
When Error-Flag (Flag-Index) = Error-On
Move Space To Error-Flag (Flag-Index)
Set Message-Index To Flag-Index
Move Error-Message (Message-Index) To
Print-Message
Perform 260-Print-Report
End-Search
End-Perform
. . .

Chapter 4. Handling tables 67

Creating variable-length tables (DEPENDING ON)
If you do not know before run time how many times a table element occurs, you
need to set up a variable-length table definition. To do this, use the OCCURS
DEPENDING ON (ODO) clause. For example:
X OCCURS 1 TO 10 TIMES DEPENDING ON Y

In this example, X is called the ODO subject, and Y is the ODO object.

Two factors affect the successful manipulation of variable-length records:

v Correct calculation of records lengths
The length of the variable portions of a group item is the product of the object
of the DEPENDING ON option and the length of the subject of the OCCURS clause.
v Conformance of the data in the object of the OCCURS DEPENDING ON clause to its
PICTURE clause
If the content of the ODO object does not match its PICTURE clause, the program
could abnormally terminate. You must ensure that the ODO object correctly
specifies the current number of occurrences of table elements.

The following example shows a group item (REC-1) that contains both the subject
and object of the OCCURS DEPENDING ON clause. The way the length of the group
item is determined depends on whether it is sending or receiving data.
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
01 MAIN-AREA.
03 REC-1.
05 FIELD-1 PIC 9.
05 FIELD-2 OCCURS 1 TO 5 TIMES
DEPENDING ON FIELD-1 PIC X(05).
01 REC-2.
03 REC-2-DATA PIC X(50).

If you want to move REC-1 (the sending item in this case) to REC-2, the length of
REC-1 is determined immediately before the move, using the current value in
FIELD-1. If the content of FIELD-1 conforms to its PICTURE (that is, if FIELD-1
contains an external decimal item), the move can proceed based on the actual
length of REC-1. Otherwise, the result is unpredictable. You must ensure that the
ODO object has the correct value before you initiate the move.

When you do a move to REC-1 (the receiving item in this case), the length of REC-1
is determined using the maximum number of occurrences. In this example, that
would be five occurrences of FIELD-2, plus FIELD-1, for a length of 26 bytes.

In this case, you need not set the ODO object (FIELD-1) before referencing REC-1 as
a receiving item. However, the sending field’s ODO object (not shown) must be set
to a valid numeric value between 1 and 5 for the ODO object of the receiving field
to be validly set by the move.

However, if you do a move to REC-1 (again the receiving item) where REC-1 is
followed by a variably located group (a type of complex ODO), the actual length of
REC-1 is calculated immediately before the move. In the following example, REC-1
and REC-2 are in the same record, but REC-2 is not subordinate to REC-1 and is
therefore variably located:
01 MAIN-AREA
03 REC-1.
05 FIELD-1 PIC 9.
05 FIELD-3 PIC 9.

68 Programming Guide
 05 FIELD-2 OCCURS 1 TO 5 TIMES
DEPENDING ON FIELD-1 PIC X(05).
03 REC-2.
05 FIELD-4 OCCURS 1 TO 5 TIMES
DEPENDING ON FIELD-3 PIC X(05).

When you do a MOVE to REC-1 in this case, the actual length of REC-1 is calculated
immediately before the move using the current value of the ODO object (FIELD-1).
The compiler issues a message letting you know that the actual length was used.
This case requires that you set the value of the ODO object before using the group
item as a receiving field.

The following example shows how to define a variable-length table when the ODO
object (here LOCATION-TABLE-LENGTH) is outside the group.
DATA DIVISION.
FILE SECTION.
FD LOCATION-FILE
RECORDING MODE F
BLOCK 0 RECORDS
RECORD 80 CHARACTERS
LABEL RECORD STANDARD.
01 LOCATION-RECORD.
05 LOC-CODE PIC XX.
05 LOC-DESCRIPTION PIC X(20).
05 FILLER PIC X(58).
. . .
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
01 FLAGS.
05 LOCATION-EOF-FLAG PIC X(5) VALUE SPACE.
88 LOCATION-EOF VALUE “FALSE”.
01 MISC-VALUES.
05 LOCATION-TABLE-LENGTH PIC 9(3) VALUE ZERO.
05 LOCATION-TABLE-MAX PIC 9(3) VALUE 100.
*****************************************************************
*** L O C A T I O N T A B L E ***
*** FILE CONTAINS LOCATION CODES. ***
*****************************************************************
01 LOCATION-TABLE.
05 LOCATION-CODE OCCURS 1 TO 100 TIMES
DEPENDING ON LOCATION-TABLE-LENGTH PIC X(80).

RELATED CONCEPTS
Appendix B, “Complex OCCURS DEPENDING ON” on page 587

RELATED TASKS
“Assigning values to a variable-length table” on page 70
“Loading a variable-length table”
Enterprise COBOL Compiler and Run-Time Migration Guide

RELATED REFERENCES
OCCURS DEPENDING ON clause (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Loading a variable-length table

You can use a do-until structure (a TEST AFTER loop) to control the loading of a
variable-length table. For example, after the following code runs,
LOCATION-TABLE-LENGTH contains the subscript of the last item in the table.
DATA DIVISION.
FILE SECTION.
FD LOCATION-FILE
RECORDING MODE F
BLOCK 0 RECORDS

Chapter 4. Handling tables 69

 RECORD 80 CHARACTERS
LABEL RECORD STANDARD.
01 LOCATION-RECORD.
05 LOC-CODE PIC XX.
05 LOC-DESCRIPTION PIC X(20).
05 FILLER PIC X(58).
. . .
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
01 FLAGS.
05 LOCATION-EOF-FLAG PIC X(5) VALUE SPACE.
88 LOCATION-EOF VALUE “YES”.
01 MISC-VALUES.
05 LOCATION-TABLE-LENGTH PIC 9(3) VALUE ZERO.
05 LOCATION-TABLE-MAX PIC 9(3) VALUE 100.
*****************************************************************
*** L O C A T I O N T A B L E ***
*** FILE CONTAINS LOCATION CODES. ***
*****************************************************************
01 LOCATION-TABLE.
05 LOCATION-CODE OCCURS 1 TO 100 TIMES
DEPENDING ON LOCATION-TABLE-LENGTH PIC X(80).
. . .
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
. . .
Perform Test After
Varying Location-Table-Length From 1 By 1
Until Location-EOF
Or Location-Table-Length = Location-Table-Max
Move Location-Record To
Location-Code (Location-Table-Length)
Read Location-File
At End Set Location-EOF To True
End-Read
End-Perform

Assigning values to a variable-length table

You can use a VALUE clause on a group item that contains an OCCURS clause with the
DEPENDING ON option. Each subordinate structure that contains the DEPENDING ON
option is initialized using the maximum number of occurrences. If you define the
entire table with the DEPENDING ON option, all the elements are initialized using the
maximum defined value of the DEPENDING ON object.

If the ODO object has a VALUE clause, it is logically initialized after the ODO subject
has been initialized. For example, in the following code
01 TABLE-THREE VALUE “3ABCDE”.
05 X PIC 9.
05 Y OCCURS 5 TIMES
DEPENDING ON X PIC X.

the ODO subject Y(1) is initialized to ’A’, Y(2) to ’B’, . . ., Y(5) to ’E’, and finally
the ODO object X is initialized to 3. Any subsequent reference to TABLE-THREE (such
as in a DISPLAY statement) refers to the first three elements, Y(1) through Y(3).

RELATED TASKS
Enterprise COBOL Compiler and Run-Time Migration Guide

RELATED REFERENCES
OCCURS DEPENDING ON clause (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

70 Programming Guide
Searching a table
COBOL provides two search techniques for tables: serial and binary.

To do serial searches, use SEARCH and indexing. For variable-length tables, you can
use PERFORM with subscripting or indexing.

To do binary searches, use SEARCH ALL and indexing.

A binary search can be considerably more efficient than a serial search. For a serial
search, the number of comparisons is of the order of n, the number of entries in
the table. For a binary search, the number of comparisons is only of the order of
the logarithm (base 2) of n. A binary search, however, requires that the table items
already be sorted.

RELATED TASKS
“Doing a serial search (SEARCH)”
“Doing a binary search (SEARCH ALL)” on page 72

Doing a serial search (SEARCH)

Use the SEARCH statement to do a serial search beginning at the current index
setting. To modify the index setting, use the SET statement.

The conditions in the WHEN option are evaluated in the order in which they appear:
v If none of the conditions is satisfied, the index is increased to correspond to the
next table element, and the WHEN conditions are evaluated again.
v If one of the WHEN conditions is satisfied, the search ends. The index remains
pointing to the table element that satisfied the condition.
v If the entire table has been searched and no conditions were met, the AT END
imperative statement is executed if there is one. If you do not use AT END,
control passes to the next statement in your program.

You can reference only one level of a table (a table element) with each SEARCH
statement. To search multiple levels of a table, use nested SEARCH statements.
Delimit each nested SEARCH statement with END-SEARCH.

If the found condition comes after some intermediate point in the table, you can
speed up the search. Use the SET statement to set the index to begin the search
after that point.

Arranging the table so that the data used most often is at the beginning also
enables more efficient serial searching. If the table is large and is presorted, a
binary search is more efficient.

“Example: serial search”

RELATED REFERENCES
SEARCH statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Example: serial search

Suppose you define a three-dimensional table, each with its own index (set to 1, 4,
and 1, respectively). The innermost table (TABLE-ENTRY3) has an ascending key. The
object of the search is to find a particular string in the innermost table.

Chapter 4. Handling tables 71

 01 TABLE-ONE.
05 TABLE-ENTRY1 OCCURS 10 TIMES
INDEXED BY TE1-INDEX.
10 TABLE-ENTRY2 OCCURS 10 TIMES
INDEXED BY TE2-INDEX.
15 TABLE-ENTRY3 OCCURS 5 TIMES
ASCENDING KEY IS KEY1
INDEXED BY TE3-INDEX.
20 KEY1 PIC X(5).
20 KEY2 PIC X(10).
. . .
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
. . .
SET TE1-INDEX TO 1
SET TE2-INDEX TO 4
SET TE3-INDEX TO 1
MOVE “A1234” TO KEY1 (TE1-INDEX, TE2-INDEX, TE3-INDEX + 2)
MOVE “AAAAAAAA00” TO KEY2 (TE1-INDEX, TE2-INDEX, TE3-INDEX + 2)
. . .
SEARCH TABLE-ENTRY3
AT END
MOVE 4 TO RETURN-CODE
WHEN TABLE-ENTRY3(TE1-INDEX, TE2-INDEX, TE3-INDEX)
= “A1234AAAAAAAA00”
MOVE 0 TO RETURN-CODE
END-SEARCH

Values after execution:

TE1-INDEX = 1
TE2-INDEX = 4
TE3-INDEX points to the TABLE-ENTRY3 item
that equals “A1234AAAAAAAA00”
RETURN-CODE = 0

Doing a binary search (SEARCH ALL)

When you use SEARCH ALL to do a binary search, you do not need to set the index
before you begin. The index used is always the one associated with the first index
name in the OCCURS clause. The index varies during execution to maximize the
search efficiency.

To use the SEARCH ALL statement, your table must already be ordered on the key or
keys coded in the OCCURS clause. You can use any key in the WHEN condition, but
you must test all preceding data-names in the KEY option, if any. The test must be
an equal-to condition, and the KEY data-name must be either the subject of the
condition or the name of a conditional variable with which the tested
condition-name is associated. The WHEN condition can also be a compound
condition, formed from simple conditions with AND as the only logical connective.
The key and its object of comparison must be compatible.

“Example: binary search”

RELATED REFERENCES
SEARCH statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Example: binary search

Suppose you define a table that contains 90 elements of 40 bytes each, with three
keys. The primary and secondary keys (KEY-1 and KEY-2) are in ascending order,
but the least significant key (KEY-3) is in descending order:
01 TABLE-A.
05 TABLE-ENTRY OCCURS 90 TIMES
ASCENDING KEY-1, KEY-2

72 Programming Guide
 DESCENDING KEY-3
INDEXED BY INDX-1.
10 PART-1 PIC 99.
10 KEY-1 PIC 9(5).
10 PART-2 PIC 9(6).
10 KEY-2 PIC 9(4).
10 PART-3 PIC 9(18).
10 KEY-3 PIC 9(5).

You can search this table using the following instructions:

SEARCH ALL TABLE-ENTRY
AT END
PERFORM NOENTRY
WHEN KEY-1 (INDX-1) = VALUE-1 AND
KEY-2 (INDX-1) = VALUE-2 AND
KEY-3 (INDX-1) = VALUE-3
MOVE PART-1 (INDX-1) TO OUTPUT-AREA
END-SEARCH

If an entry is found in which the three keys are equal to the given values (VALUE-1,
VALUE-2, and VALUE-3), PART-1 of that entry will be moved to OUTPUT-AREA. If
matching keys are not found in any of the entries in TABLE-A, the NOENTRY routine
is performed.

Processing table items using intrinsic functions

You can use an intrinsic function to process an alphanumeric or numeric table
item. However, the data description of the table item must be compatible with the
argument requirements for the function.

Use a subscript or index to reference an individual data item as a function

argument. For example, assuming Table-One is a 3x3 array of numeric items, you
can find the square root of the middle element with this statement:
Compute X = Function Sqrt(Table-One(2,2))

You might often need to process the data in tables iteratively. For intrinsic
functions that accept multiple arguments, you can use the ALL subscript to
reference all the items in the table or a single dimension of the table. The iteration
is handled automatically, making your code shorter and simpler.

You can mix scalars and array arguments for functions that accept multiple
arguments:
Compute Table-Median = Function Median(Arg1 Table-One(ALL))

“Example: intrinsic functions”

RELATED TASKS
“Using intrinsic functions (built-in functions)” on page 32

RELATED REFERENCES
Intrinsic functions (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Example: intrinsic functions

This example sums a cross-section of Table-Two:
Compute Table-Sum = FUNCTION SUM (Table-Two(ALL, 3, ALL))

Chapter 4. Handling tables 73

 Assuming that Table-Two is a 2x3x2 array, the statement above causes the
following elements to be summed:
Table-Two(1,3,1)
Table-Two(1,3,2)
Table-Two(2,3,1)
Table-Two(2,3,2)

This example computes values for all employees.

01 Employee-Table.
05 Emp-Count Pic s9(4) usage binary.
05 Emp-Record Occurs 1 to 500 times
depending on Emp-Count.
10 Emp-Name Pic x(20).
10 Emp-Idme Pic 9(9).
10 Emp-Salary Pic 9(7)v99.
. . .
Procedure Division.
Compute Max-Salary = Function Max(Emp-Salary(ALL))
Compute I = Function Ord-Max(Emp-Salary(ALL))
Compute Avg-Salary = Function Mean(Emp-Salary(ALL))
Compute Salary-Range = Function Range(Emp-Salary(ALL))
Compute Total-Payroll = Function Sum(Emp-Salary(ALL))

74 Programming Guide
Chapter 5. Selecting and repeating program actions
Use COBOL control language to choose program actions based on the outcome of
logical tests, to iterate over selected parts of your program and data, and to
identify statements to be performed as a group. These controls include:
v IF statement
v EVALUATE statement
v Switches and flags
v PERFORM statement

RELATED TASKS
“Selecting program actions”
“Repeating program actions” on page 82

Selecting program actions

You can provide for different program actions depending on the tested value of
one or more data items.

The IF and EVALUATE statements in COBOL test one or more data items by means
of a conditional expression.

RELATED TASKS
“Coding a choice of actions”
“Coding conditional expressions” on page 79

RELATED REFERENCES
IF statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
EVALUATE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Coding a choice of actions

Use IF . . . ELSE to code a choice between two processing actions. (The word
THEN is optional in a COBOL program.)
IF condition-p
statement-1
ELSE
statement-2
END-IF

When one of the processing choices is no action, code the IF statement with or
without ELSE. Because the ELSE clause is optional, you can code the following:
IF condition-q
statement-1
END-IF

This coding is suitable for simple programming cases. For complex logic, you
probably need to use the ELSE clause. For example, suppose you have nested IF
statements with an action for only one of the processing choices; you could use the
ELSE clause and code the null branch of the IF statement with the CONTINUE
statement:

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 75

 IF condition-q
statement-1
ELSE
CONTINUE
END-IF

Use the EVALUATE statement to code a choice among three or more possible
conditions instead of just two. The EVALUATE statement is an expanded form of the
IF statement that allows you to avoid nesting IF statements for such coding, a
common source of logic errors and debugging problems.

With the EVALUATE statement, you can test any number of conditions in a single
statement and have separate actions for each. In structured programming terms,
this is a case structure. It can also be thought of as a decision table.

“Example: EVALUATE using THRU phrase” on page 78

“Example: EVALUATE using multiple WHEN statements” on page 78
“Example: EVALUATE testing several conditions” on page 78

RELATED TASKS
“Coding conditional expressions” on page 79
“Using the EVALUATE statement” on page 77
“Using nested IF statements”

Using nested IF statements

When an IF statement has another IF statement as one of its possible processing
branches, these IF statements are said to be nested. Theoretically, there is no limit
to the depth of nested IF statements. However, when the program has to test a
variable for more than two values, EVALUATE is the better choice.

Use nested IF statements sparingly. The logic can be difficult to follow, although
explicit scope terminators and proper indentation help.

The following pseudocode depicts a nested IF statement:

IF condition-p
IF condition-q
statement-1
ELSE
statement-2
END-IF
statement-3
ELSE
statement-4
END-IF

Here an IF is nested, along with a sequential structure, in one branch of another

IF. In a structure like this, the END-IF closing the inner nested IF is very important.
Use END-IF instead of a period, because a period would end the outer IF structure
as well.

The following figure shows the logic structure for nested IF statements.

76 Programming Guide
RELATED TASKS
“Coding a choice of actions” on page 75

RELATED REFERENCES
Explicit scope terminators (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Using the EVALUATE statement

Use the EVALUATE statement to test several conditions and design a different action
for each, a construct often known as a case structure. The expressions to be tested
are called selection subjects; the answer selected is called a selection object. You can
code multiple subjects and multiple objects in the same structure.

You can code the EVALUATE statement to handle the case where multiple conditions
lead to the same processing by using the THRU phrase and by using multiple WHEN
statements.

When evaluated, each pair of selection subjects and selection objects must belong
to the same class (numeric, character, CONDITION TRUE or FALSE).

The execution of the EVALUATE statement ends when:

v The statements associated with the selected WHEN phrase are performed.
v The statements associated with the WHEN OTHER phrase are performed.
v No WHEN conditions are satisfied.

WHEN phrases are tested in the order they are coded. Therefore, you should order
these phrases for the best performance: code first the WHEN phrase containing
selection objects most likely to be satisfied, then the next most likely, and so on. An
exception is the WHEN OTHER phrase, which must come last.

RELATED TASKS
“Coding a choice of actions” on page 75

Chapter 5. Selecting and repeating program actions 77

 Example: EVALUATE using THRU phrase: This example shows how you can use
the THRU phrase to easily code several conditions in a range of values that lead to
the same processing action. In this example, CARPOOL-SIZE is the selection subject;
1, 2, and 3 THRU 6 are the selection objects.
EVALUATE CARPOOL-SIZE
WHEN 1
MOVE “SINGLE” TO PRINT-CARPOOL-STATUS
WHEN 2
MOVE “COUPLE” TO PRINT-CARPOOL-STATUS
WHEN 3 THRU 6
MOVE “SMALL GROUP” TO PRINT-CARPOOL STATUS
WHEN OTHER
MOVE “BIG GROUP” TO PRINT-CARPOOL STATUS
END-EVALUATE

The following nested IF statements represent the same logic:

IF CARPOOL-SIZE = 1 THEN
MOVE “SINGLE” TO PRINT-CARPOOL-STATUS
ELSE
IF CARPOOL-SIZE = 2 THEN
MOVE “COUPLE” TO PRINT-CARPOOL-STATUS
ELSE
IF CARPOOL-SIZE >= 3 and CARPOOL-SIZE <= 6 THEN
MOVE “SMALL GROUP” TO PRINT-CARPOOL-STATUS
ELSE
MOVE “BIG GROUP” TO PRINT-CARPOOL-STATUS
END-IF
END-IF
END-IF

Example: EVALUATE using multiple WHEN statements: You can use multiple
WHEN statements when several conditions lead to the same processing action. This
gives you more flexibility than using the THRU phrase, because the conditions do
not have to evaluate to values that fall in a range or evaluate to alphanumeric
values.
EVALUATE MARITAL-CODE
WHEN “M”
ADD 2 TO PEOPLE-COUNT
WHEN “S”
WHEN “D”
WHEN “W”
ADD 1 TO PEOPLE-COUNT
END-EVALUATE

The following nested IF statements represent the same logic:

IF MARITAL-CODE = “M” THEN
ADD 2 TO PEOPLE-COUNT
ELSE
IF MARITAL-CODE = “S” OR
MARITAL-CODE = “D” OR
MARITAL-CODE = “W” THEN
ADD 1 TO PEOPLE-COUNT
END-IF
END-IF

Example: EVALUATE testing several conditions: In this example both selection

subjects in a WHEN phrase must satisfy the TRUE, TRUE condition before the phrase is
performed. If both subjects do not evaluate to TRUE, the next WHEN phrase is
processed.
Identification Division.
Program-ID. MiniEval.
Environment Division.

78 Programming Guide
 Configuration Section.
Source-Computer. IBM-390.
Data Division.
Working-Storage Section.
01 Age Pic 999.
01 Sex Pic X.
01 Description Pic X(15).
01 A Pic 999.
01 B Pic 9999.
01 C Pic 9999.
01 D Pic 9999.
01 E Pic 99999.
01 F Pic 999999.
Procedure Division.
PN01.
Evaluate True Also True
When Age < 13 Also Sex = “M”
Move “Young Boy” To Description
When Age < 13 Also Sex = “F”
Move “Young Girl” To Description
When Age > 12 And Age < 20 Also Sex = “M”
Move “Teenage Boy” To Description
When Age > 12 And Age < 20 Also Sex = “F”
Move “Teenage Girl” To Description
When Age > 19 Also Sex = “M”
Move “Adult Man” To Description
When Age > 19 Also Sex = “F”
Move “Adult Woman” To Description
When Other
Move “Invalid Data” To Description
End-Evaluate
Evaluate True Also True
When A + B < 10 Also C = 10
Move “Case 1” To Description
When A + B > 50 Also C = ( D + E ) / F
Move “Case 2” To Description
When Other
Move “Case Other” To Description
End-Evaluate
Stop Run.

Coding conditional expressions

Using the IF and EVALUATE statements, you can code program actions that will be
performed depending on the truth value of a conditional expression. You can
specify any of these conditions:
v Numeric condition
v Alphanumeric condition
v National condition
v Class of a field
v Switches and flags that you define
v Sign condition
v Status of UPSI switch

All conditional expressions that involve a national operand are national conditions.
The PROGRAM COLLATING SEQUENCE clause has no effect on national conditional
expressions.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Switches and flags” on page 80

Chapter 5. Selecting and repeating program actions 79

 RELATED TASKS
“Defining switches and flags”
“Resetting switches and flags” on page 81
“Checking for incompatible data (numeric class test)” on page 46
“Comparing national data items” on page 110

RELATED REFERENCES
Rules for condition-name values (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
Switch-status condition (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
Sign condition (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
Comparing numeric and alphanumeric operands (Enterprise COBOL Language
Reference)
Combined conditions (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
Class condition (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Switches and flags

Some program decisions are based on whether the value of a data item is true or
false, on or off, yes or no. Control these two-way decisions with level-88 items
with meaningful names (condition-names) to act as switches.

Other program decisions depend on the particular value or range of values of a

data item. When you use condition-names to give more than just on or off values
to a field, the field is generally referred to as a flag.

Flags and switches make your code easier to change. If you need to change the
values for a condition, you have to change only the value of that level-88
condition-name.

For example, suppose a program uses a condition-name to test a field for a given
salary range. If the program must be changed to check for a different salary range,
you need to change only the value of the condition-name in the DATA DIVISION.
You do not need to make changes in the PROCEDURE DIVISION.

RELATED TASKS
“Defining switches and flags”
“Resetting switches and flags” on page 81

Defining switches and flags

In the DATA DIVISION, define level-88 items to give meaningful names (condition
names) to values that will act as switches or flags.

To test for more than two values, as flags, assign more than one condition name to
a field by using multiple level-88 items.

The reader can easily follow your code if you choose meaningful condition names
and if the values assigned have some association with logical values.

“Example: switches”
“Example: flags” on page 81

Example: switches
To test for an end-of-file condition for an input file named Transaction-File, you
could use the following data definitions:
WORKING-STORAGE Section.
01 Switches.
05 Transaction-EOF-Switch Pic X value space.
88 Transaction-EOF value “y”.

80 Programming Guide
The level-88 description says a condition named Transaction-EOF is turned on
when Transaction-EOF-Switch has value ’y’. Referencing Transaction-EOF in your
PROCEDURE DIVISION expresses the same condition as testing for
Transaction-EOF-Switch = “y”. For example, the following statement causes the
report to be printed only if your program has read to the end of the
Transaction-File and if the Transaction-EOF-Switch has been set to ’y’:
If Transaction-EOF Then
Perform Print-Report-Summary-Lines

Example: flags
Consider a program that updates a master file. The updates are read from a
transaction file. The transaction file’s records contain a field for the function to be
performed: add, change, or delete. In the record description of the input file code a
field for the function code using level-88 items:
01 Transaction-Input Record
05 Transaction-Type Pic X.
88 Add-Transaction Value “A”.
88 Change-Transaction Value “C”.
88 Delete-Transaction Value “D”.

The code in the PROCEDURE DIVISION for testing these condition-names might look
like this:
Evaluate True
When Add-Transaction
Perform Add-Master-Record-Paragraph
When Change-Transaction
Perform Update-Exisitng-Record-Paragraph
When Delete-Transaction
Perform Delete-Master-Record-Paragraph
End-Evaluate

Resetting switches and flags

Throughout your program, you might need to reset switches or change flags back
to the original values they have in their data descriptions. To do so, use either a
SET statement or define your own data item to use.

When you use the SET condition-name TO TRUE statement, the switch or flag is set
back to the original value that was assigned in its data description.

For a level-88 item with multiple values, SET condition-name TO TRUE assigns the
first value (here, A):
88 Record-is-Active Value “A” “O” “S”

Using the SET statement and meaningful condition-names makes it easy for the
reader to follow your code.

“Example: set switch on”

“Example: set switch off” on page 82

Example: set switch on

The SET statement in the following example does the same thing as Move “y” to
Transaction-EOF-Switch:
01 Switches
05 Transaction-EOF-Switch Pic X Value space.
88 Transaction-EOF Value “y”.
. . .
Procedure Division.
000-Do-Main-Logic.

Chapter 5. Selecting and repeating program actions 81

 Perform 100-Initialize-Paragraph
Read Update-Transaction-File
At End Set Transaction-EOF to True
End-Read

The following example shows how to assign a value for a field in an output record
based on the transaction code of an input record.
01 Input-Record.
05 Transaction-Type Pic X(9).
. . .
01 Data-Record-Out.
05 Data-Record-Type Pic X.
88 Record-Is-Active Value “A”.
88 Record-Is-Suspended Value “S”.
88 Record-Is-Deleted Value “D”.
05 Key-Field Pic X(5).
. . .
Procedure Division.
. . .
Evaluate Transaction-Type of Input-Record
When “ACTIVE”
Set Record-Is-Active to TRUE
When “SUSPENDED”
Set Record-Is-Suspended to TRUE
When “DELETED”
Set Record-Is-Deleted to TRUE
End-Evaluate

Example: set switch off

You could use a data item called SWITCH-OFF throughout your program to set
on/off switches to off, as in the following code:
01 Switches
05 Transaction-EOF-Switch Pic X Value space.
88 Transaction-EOF Value “y”.
01 SWITCH-OFF Pic X Value “n”.
. . .
Procedure Division.
. . .
Move SWITCH-OFF to Transaction-EOF-Switch

This code resets the switch to indicate that the end of the file has not been reached.

Repeating program actions

Use the PERFORM statement to run a paragraph and then implicitly return control to
the next executable statement. In effect, the PERFORM statement is a way of coding a
closed subroutine that you can enter from many different parts of the program.

Use the PERFORM statement to loop (repeat the same code) a set number of times or
to loop based on the outcome of a decision.

PERFORM statements can be inline or out-of-line.

RELATED TASKS
“Choosing inline or out-of-line PERFORM” on page 83
“Coding a loop” on page 84
“Coding a loop through a table” on page 85
“Executing multiple paragraphs or sections” on page 85

82 Programming Guide
 RELATED REFERENCES
PERFORM statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Choosing inline or out-of-line PERFORM

The inline PERFORM statement has the same general rules as the out-of-line PERFORM
statement except for one area: statements within the inline PERFORM statement are
executed rather than those within the range of the procedure named in the
out-of-line PERFORM statement.

To determine whether to code an inline or out-of-line PERFORM statement, consider

the following questions:
v Is the PERFORM statement used from several places?
Use out-of-line PERFORM when you use the same piece of code from several
places in your program.
v Which placement of the statement will be easier to read?
Use an out-of-line PERFORM if the logical flow of the program will be less clear
because the PERFORM extends over several screens. If, however, the PERFORM
paragraph is short, an inline PERFORM can save the trouble of skipping around in
the code.
v What are the efficiency tradeoffs?
Avoid the overhead of branching around an out-of-line PERFORM if performance is
an issue. But remember, even out-of-line PERFORM coding can improve code
optimization, so efficiency gains should not be overemphasized.

In the 1974 COBOL standard, the PERFORM statement is out-of-line and thus requires
an explicit branch to a separate paragraph and has an implicit return. If the
performed paragraph is in the subsequent sequential flow of your program, it is
also executed in that flow of the logic. To avoid this additional execution, you
must place the paragraph outside the normal sequential flow (for example, after
the GOBACK) or code a branch around it.

The subject of an inline PERFORM is an imperative statement. Therefore, you must

code statements (other than imperative statements within an inline PERFORM) with
explicit scope terminators. Each paragraph performs one logical function.

“Example: inline PERFORM statement”

Example: inline PERFORM statement

This example shows the structure of an inline PERFORM statement with the required
scope terminators and the required END-PERFORM statement.
Perform 100-Initialize-Paragraph
* The following is an inline PERFORM
Perform Until Transaction-EOF
Read Update-Transaction-File Into WS-Transaction-Record
At End
Set Transaction-EOF To True
Not At End
Perform 200-Edit-Update-Transaction
If No-Errors
Perform 300-Update-Commuter-Record
Else
Perform 400-Print-Transaction-Errors
* End-If is a required scope terminator
End-If

Chapter 5. Selecting and repeating program actions 83

 Perform 410-Re-Initialize-Fields
* End-Read is a required scope terminator
End-Read
End-Perform

Coding a loop
Use the PERFORM . . . TIMES statement to execute a paragraph a certain number of
times:
PERFORM 010-PROCESS-ONE-MONTH 12 TIMES
INSPECT . . .

When control reaches the PERFORM statement, the code for the paragraph
010-PROCESS-ONE-MONTH is executed 12 times before control is transferred to the
INSPECT statement.

Use the PERFORM . . . UNTIL statement to execute a paragraph until a condition

you choose is satisfied. You can use either of the following forms:
PERFORM . . . WITH TEST AFTER . . . UNTIL . . .
PERFORM . . . [WITH TEST BEFORE] . . . UNTIL . . .

Use the PERFORM . . . WITH TEST AFTER . . . UNTIL if you want to execute the
paragraph at least once and then test before any subsequent execution. This
statement is equivalent to the do-until structure:

In the following example, the implicit WITH TEST BEFORE phrase provides a
do-while structure:
PERFORM 010-PROCESS-ONE-MONTH
UNTIL MONTH GREATER THAN 12
INSPECT . . .

When control reaches the PERFORM statement, the condition (MONTH EQUAL DECEMBER)
is tested. If the condition is satisfied, control is transferred to the INSPECT
statement. If the condition is not satisfied, 010-PROCESS-ONE-MONTH is executed, and
the condition is tested again. This cycle continues until the condition tests as true.
(To make your program easier to read, you might want to code the WITH TEST
BEFORE clause.)

84 Programming Guide
Coding a loop through a table
You can use PERFORM . . . VARYING to initialize a table. In this form of the PERFORM
statement, a variable is increased or decreased and tested until a condition is
satisfied.

Thus you use the PERFORM statement to control a loop through a table. You can use
either of the following forms:
PERFORM . . . WITH TEST AFTER . . . VARYING . . . UNTIL . . .
PERFORM . . . [WITH TEST BEFORE] . . . VARYING . . . UNTIL .

The following code shows an example of looping through a table to check for
invalid data:
PERFORM TEST AFTER VARYING WS-DATA-IX
FROM 1 BY 1
UNTIL WS-DATA-IX = 12
IF WS-DATA (WS-DATA-IX) EQUALS SPACES
SET SERIOUS-ERROR TO TRUE
DISPLAY ELEMENT-NUM-MSG5
END-IF
END-PERFORM
INSPECT . . .

In the code above, when control reaches the PERFORM statement, WS-DATA-IX is set
equal to 1 and the PERFORM statement is executed. Then the condition
(WS-DATA-IX = 12) is tested. If the condition is true, control drops through to the
INSPECT statement. If it is false, WS-DATA-IX is increased by 1, the PERFORM statement
is executed, and the condition is tested again. This cycle of execution and testing
continues until WS-DATA-IX is equal to 12.

In terms of the application, this loop controls input-checking for the 12 fields of
item WS-DATA. Empty fields are not allowed, and this section of code loops through
and issues error messages as appropriate.

Executing multiple paragraphs or sections

In structured programming, the paragraph you execute is usually a single
paragraph. However, you can execute a group of paragraphs, a single section, or a
group of sections using the PERFORM . . . THRU statement.

When you use PERFORM . . . THRU use a paragraph-EXIT statement to clearly

indicate the end point for the series of paragraphs.

Intrinsic functions can make the coding of the iterative processing of tables simpler
and easier.

RELATED TASKS
“Processing table items using intrinsic functions” on page 73

Chapter 5. Selecting and repeating program actions 85

86 Programming Guide
Chapter 6. Handling strings
COBOL provides language constructs for performing the following operations
associated with string data items:
v Joining and splitting data items
v Manipulating null-terminated strings, such as counting or moving characters
v Referring to substrings by their ordinal position and, if needed, length
v Tallying and replacing data items, such as counting the number of times a
specific character occurs in a data item
v Converting data items, such as changing to uppercase or lowecase
v Evaluating data items, such as determining the length of a data item

RELATED TASKS
“Joining data items (STRING)”
“Splitting data items (UNSTRING)” on page 89
“Manipulating null-terminated strings” on page 91
“Referring to substrings of data items” on page 92
“Tallying and replacing data items (INSPECT)” on page 95
“Converting data items (intrinsic functions)” on page 96
“Evaluating data items (intrinsic functions)” on page 99
Chapter 7, “Coding for run-time use of national languages” on page 103

Joining data items (STRING)

Use the STRING statement to join all or parts of several data items into one data
item. One STRING statement can save you several MOVE statements.

The STRING statement transfers data items into the receiving item in the order that
you indicate. In the STRING statement you can also specify the following:
v Delimiters that cause a sending field to be ended and another to be started
v Actions to be taken when the single receiving field is filled before all of the
sending characters have been processed (ON OVERFLOW condition)

You can specify a national item for any literal or identifier operand except the
POINTER identifier. However, if you specify a national item, you must specify all of
the literal and identifier operands (except the POINTER identifier) as national.

“Example: STRING statement”

RELATED TASKS
“Handling errors in joining and splitting strings” on page 222

RELATED REFERENCES
STRING statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Example: STRING statement

In the following example, the STRING statement selects and formats information
from record RCD-01 as an output line: line number, customer name and address,
invoice number, next billing date, and balance due. The balance is truncated to the
dollar figure shown.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 87

 In the FILE SECTION, the following record is defined:
01 RCD-01.
05 CUST-INFO.
10 CUST-NAME PIC X(15).
10 CUST-ADDR PIC X(35).
05 BILL-INFO.
10 INV-NO PIC X(6).
10 INV-AMT PIC $$,$$$.99.
10 AMT-PAID PIC $$,$$$.99.
10 DATE-PAID PIC X(8).
10 BAL-DUE PIC $$,$$$.99.
10 DATE-DUE PIC X(8).

In the WORKING-STORAGE SECTION, the following fields are defined:

77 RPT-LINE PIC X(120).
77 LINE-POS PIC S9(3).
77 LINE-NO PIC 9(5) VALUE 1.
77 DEC-POINT PIC X VALUE “.”.

The record RCD-01 contains the following information (the symbol b indicates a
blank space):
J.B.bSMITHbbbbb
444bSPRINGbST.,bCHICAGO,bILL.bbbbbb
A14275
$4,736.85
$2,400.00
09/22/76
$2,336.85
10/22/76

In the PROCEDURE DIVISION, the programmer initializes RPT-LINE to SPACES and sets
LINE-POS, the data item to be used as the POINTER field, to 4. (By coding the
POINTER phrase of the STRING statement, you can use the explicit pointer field to
control placement of data in the receiving field.) Then, the programmer codes this
STRING statement:
STRING
LINE-NO SPACE CUST-INFO INV-NO SPACE DATE-DUE SPACE
DELIMITED BY SIZE
BAL-DUE
DELIMITED BY DEC-POINT
INTO RPT-LINE
WITH POINTER LINE-POS.

STRING program results

When the STRING statement is performed, items are moved into RPT-LINE as shown
in the table below.

Item Positions
LINE-NO 4-8
Space 9
CUST-INFO 10 - 59
INV-NO 60 - 65
Space 66
DATE-DUE 67 - 74
Space 75
Portion of BAL-DUE that precedes the decimal point 76 - 81

88 Programming Guide
 After the STRING statement is performed, the value of LINE-POS is 82, and RPT-LINE
appears as shown below.

Splitting data items (UNSTRING)

Use the UNSTRING statement to split one sending field into several receiving fields.
One UNSTRING statement can save you several MOVE statements.

In the UNSTRING statement you can specify the following:

v Delimiters that, when encountered in the sending field, cause the current
receiving field to stop receiving and the next to begin receiving
v Fields that store the number of characters placed in receiving fields
v A field that stores a count of the total number of characters transferred
v Special actions to take if all the receiving fields are filled before the end of the
sending item is reached

You can specify national items as the sending field, receiving fields, and delimiters.
However, if you specify a national item, you must specify all of these operands as
national.

“Example: UNSTRING statement”

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Unicode and encoding of language characters” on page 105

RELATED TASKS
“Handling errors in joining and splitting strings” on page 222
Enterprise COBOL Compiler and Run-Time Migration Guide

RELATED REFERENCES
UNSTRING statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Example: UNSTRING statement

In the following example, selected information is taken from the input record.
Some is organized for printing and some for further processing.

In the FILE SECTION, the following records are defined:

* Record to be acted on by the UNSTRING statement:
01 INV-RCD.
05 CONTROL-CHARS PIC XX.
05 ITEM-INDENT PIC X(20).
05 FILLER PIC X.
05 INV-CODE PIC X(10).
05 FILLER PIC X.
05 NO-UNITS PIC 9(6).
05 FILLER PIC X.
05 PRICE-PER-M PIC 99999.
05 FILLER PIC X.

Chapter 6. Handling strings 89

 05 RTL-AMT PIC 9(6).99.
*
* UNSTRING receiving field for printed output:
01 DISPLAY-REC.
05 INV-NO PIC X(6).
05 FILLER PIC X VALUE SPACE.
05 ITEM-NAME PIC X(20).
05 FILLER PIC X VALUE SPACE.
05 DISPLAY-DOLS PIC 9(6).
*
* UNSTRING receiving field for further processing:
01 WORK-REC.
05 M-UNITS PIC 9(6).
05 FIELD-A PIC 9(6).
05 WK-PRICE REDEFINES FIELD-A PIC 9999V99.
05 INV-CLASS PIC X(3).
*
* UNSTRING statement control fields
77 DBY-1 PIC X.
77 CTR-1 PIC S9(3).
77 CTR-2 PIC S9(3).
77 CTR-3 PIC S9(3).
77 CTR-4 PIC S9(3).
77 DLTR-1 PIC X.
77 DLTR-2 PIC X.
77 CHAR-CT PIC S9(3).
77 FLDS-FILLED PIC S9(3).

In the PROCEDURE DIVISION, the programmer writes the following UNSTRING

statement:
* Move subfields of INV-RCD to the subfields of DISPLAY-REC
* and WORK-REC:
UNSTRING INV-RCD
DELIMITED BY ALL SPACES OR “/” OR DBY-1
INTO ITEM-NAME COUNT IN CTR-1
INV-NO DELIMITER IN DLTR-1 COUNT IN CTR-2
INV-CLASS
M-UNITS COUNT IN CTR-3
FIELD-A
DISPLAY-DOLS DELIMITER IN DLTR-2 COUNT IN CTR-4
WITH POINTER CHAR-CT
TALLYING IN FLDS-FILLED
ON OVERFLOW GO TO UNSTRING-COMPLETE.

Before issuing the UNSTRING statement, the programmer places the value 3 in
CHAR-CT (the POINTER field) to avoid working with the two control characters in
INV-RCD. A period (.) is placed in DBY-1 for use as a delimiter, and the value 0
(zero) is placed in FLDS-FILLED (the TALLYING field). The data is then read into
INV-RCD, as shown below.

UNSTRING program results

When the UNSTRING statement is performed, the following steps take place:
1. Positions 3 through 18 (FOUR-PENNY-NAILS) of INV-RCD are placed in ITEM-NAME,
left-justified in the area, and the four unused character positions are padded
with spaces. The value 16 is placed in CTR-1.

90 Programming Guide
 2. Because ALL SPACES is coded as a delimiter, the five contiguous SPACE characters
in positions 19 through 23 are considered to be one occurrence of the delimiter.
3. Positions 24 through 29 (707890) are placed in INV-NO. The delimiter character,
/, is placed in DLTR-1, and the value 6 is placed in CTR-2.
4. Positions 31 through 33 are placed in INV-CLASS. The delimiter is a SPACE, but
because no field has been defined as a receiving area for delimiters, the SPACE
in position 34 is bypassed.
5. Positions 35 through 40 (475120) are examined and placed in M-UNITS. The
value 6 is placed in CTR-3. The delimiter is a SPACE, but because no field has
been defined as a receiving area for delimiters, the SPACE in position 41 is
bypassed.
6. Positions 42 through 46 (00122) are placed in FIELD-A and right-justified in the
area. The high-order digit position is filled with a 0 (zero). The delimiter is a
SPACE, but because no field has been defined as a receiving area for delimiters,
the SPACE in position 47 is bypassed.
7. Positions 48 through 53 (000379) are placed in DISPLAY-DOLS. The period (.)
delimiter character in DBY-1 is placed in DLTR-2, and the value 6 is placed in
CTR-4.
8. Because all receiving fields have been acted on and two characters of data in
INV-RCD have not been examined, the ON OVERFLOW exit is taken, and execution
of the UNSTRING statement is completed.

After the UNSTRING statement is performed, the fields contain the values shown
below.

Field Value
DISPLAY-REC 707890 FOUR-PENNY-NAILS 000379
WORK-REC 475120000122BBA
CHAR-CT (the POINTER field) 55
FLDS-FILLED (the TALLYING field) 6

Manipulating null-terminated strings

You can construct and manipulate null-terminated strings (passed to or from a C
program, for example), by various mechanisms:
v Use null-terminated literal constants (Z“. . . ”).
v Use an INSPECT statement to count the number of characters in a null-terminated
string:
MOVE 0 TO char-count
INSPECT source-field TALLYING char-count
FOR CHARACTERS
BEFORE X“00”
v Use an UNSTRING statement to move characters in a null-terminated string to a
target field, and get the character count:
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
01 source-field PIC X(1001).
01 char-count COMP-5 PIC 9(4).
01 target-area.
02 individual-char OCCURS 1 TO 1000 TIMES DEPENDING ON char-count
PIC X.
. . .
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
. . .

Chapter 6. Handling strings 91

 UNSTRING source-field DELIMITED BY X“00”
INTO target-area
COUNT IN char-count
ON OVERFLOW
DISPLAY “source not null terminated or target too short”
. . .
END-UNSTRING
v Use a SEARCH statement to locate trailing null or space characters. Define the
string being examined as a table of single characters.
v Check each character in a field in a loop (PERFORM). You can examine each
character in the field by using a reference modifier such as source-field (I:1).

“Example: null-terminated strings”

RELATED REFERENCES
Alphanumeric literals (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Example: null-terminated strings

The following example shows several ways you can manipulate null-terminated
strings:
01 L pic X(20) value z’ab’.
01 M pic X(20) value z’cd’.
01 N pic X(20).
01 N-Length pic 99 value zero.
01 Y pic X(13) value ’Hello, World!’.
. . .
* Display null-terminated string
Inspect N tallying N-length
for characters before initial x’00’
Display ’N: ’ N(1:N-Length) ’ Length: ’ N-Length
. . .
* Move null-terminated string to alphanumeric, strip null
Unstring N delimited by X’00’ into X
. . .
* Create null-terminated string
String Y delimited by size
X’00’ delimited by size
into N.
. . .
* Concatenate two null-terminated strings to produce another
String L delimited by x’00’
M delimited by x’00’
X’00’ delimited by size
into N.

Referring to substrings of data items

Refer to a substring of a character-string data item (including alphanumeric, DBCS,
and national data items) by using a reference modifier. Intrinsic functions that
return character-string values can include a reference modifier.

The following example shows how to use a reference modifier to refer to a

substring of a data item:
Move Customer-Record(1:20) to Orig-Customer-Name

As this example shows, you code two values separated by a colon, in parentheses,
immediately following the data item:
v Ordinal position (from the left) of the character that you want the substring to
start with

92 Programming Guide
 v Length of the desired substring

The length is optional. If you omit the length, the substring extends to the end of
the item. Omit the length when possible as a simpler and less error-prone coding
technique.

You can code either of the two values as a variable or as an arithmetic expression.

Because numeric function identifiers can be used anywhere that arithmetic

expressions are allowed, you can use them in the reference modifier as the leftmost
character position or as the length.

You can also refer to substrings of table entries, including variable-length entries.
To refer to a substring of a table entry, you must code the subscript expression
before the reference modifier. For example, assuming that PRODUCT-TABLE is a
properly coded table of character strings, to move D to the fourth character in the
second string in the table, you could code this statement:
MOVE ’D’ to PRODUCT-TABLE (2), (4:1)

Both numbers in the reference modifier must have a value of at least 1. Their sum
should not exceed the total length of the data item by more than 1 so that you do
not reference beyond the end of the desired substring.

If the leftmost character position or the length value is a fixed-point noninteger,

truncation occurs to create an integer. If either is a floating-point noninteger,
rounding occurs to create an integer.

The following options detect out-of-range reference modifiers, and flag violations
with a run-time message:
v SSRANGE compiler option
v CHECK run-time option

You can reference-modify national data items. The reference modifier position and
length for a national item are expressed in terms of national characters.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Reference modifiers”
“Unicode and encoding of language characters” on page 105

RELATED TASKS
“Referring to an item in a table” on page 61

RELATED REFERENCES
“SSRANGE” on page 321
Reference modification (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
Function definitions (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Reference modifiers
Assume that you want to retrieve the current time from the system and display its
value in an expanded format. You can retrieve the current time with the ACCEPT
statement, which returns the hours, minutes, seconds, and hundredths of seconds
in this format:
HHMMSSss

However, you might prefer to view the current time in this format:

Chapter 6. Handling strings 93

 HH:MM:SS

Without reference modifiers, you would have to define data items for both formats.
You would also have to write code to convert from one format to the other.

With reference modifiers, you do not need to provide names for the subfields that
describe the TIME elements. The only data definition you need is for the time as
returned by the system. For example:
01 REFMOD-TIME-ITEM PIC X(8).

The following code retrieves and expands the time value:

ACCEPT REFMOD-TIME-ITEM FROM TIME.
DISPLAY “CURRENT TIME IS: ”
* Retrieve the portion of the time value that corresponds to
* the number of hours:
REFMOD-TIME-ITEM (1:2)
“:”
* Retrieve the portion of the time value that corresponds to
* the number of minutes:
REFMOD-TIME-ITEM (3:2)
“:”
* Retrieve the portion of the time value that corresponds to
* the number of seconds:
REFMOD-TIME-ITEM (5:2)

“Example: arithmetic expressions as reference modifiers”

“Example: intrinsic functions as reference modifiers” on page 95

RELATED TASKS
“Referring to substrings of data items” on page 92
“Using national data (Unicode) in COBOL” on page 105

RELATED REFERENCES
Reference modification (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Example: arithmetic expressions as reference modifiers

Suppose that a field contains some right-justified characters, and you want to
move the characters to another field where they will be left justified. You can do
that using reference modifiers and an INSPECT statement.

Suppose the program has the following data:

01 LEFTY PIC X(30).
01 RIGHTY PIC X(30) JUSTIFIED RIGHT.
01 I PIC 9(9) USAGE BINARY.

The program counts the number of leading spaces and, using arithmetic
expressions in a reference modifier, moves the right-justified characters into
another field, justified to the left:
MOVE SPACES TO LEFTY
MOVE ZERO TO I
INSPECT RIGHTY
TALLYING I FOR LEADING SPACE.
IF I IS LESS THAN LENGTH OF RIGHTY THEN
MOVE RIGHTY ( I + 1 : LENGTH OF RIGHTY - I ) TO LEFTY
END-IF

94 Programming Guide
 The MOVE statement transfers characters from RIGHTY, beginning at the position
computed as I + 1 for a length that is computed as LENGTH OF RIGHTY - I, into the
field LEFTY.

Example: intrinsic functions as reference modifiers

The following code fragment causes a substring of Customer-Record to be moved
into the variable WS-name. The substring is determined at run time.
05 WS-name Pic x(20).
05 Left-posn Pic 99.
05 I Pic 99.
. . .
Move Customer-Record(Function Min(Left-posn I):Function Length(WS-name)) to WS-name

If you want to use a noninteger function in a position requiring an integer

function, you can use the INTEGER or INTEGER-PART function to convert the result to
an integer. For example:
Move Customer-Record(Function Integer(Function Sqrt(I)): ) to WS-name

RELATED REFERENCES
INTEGER-PART (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
INTEGER (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Tallying and replacing data items (INSPECT)

Use the INSPECT statement to do the following tasks:
v Fill selected portions of a data item with a value. If you specify a national data
item, you must also specify a national value.
v Replace portions of a data item with a corresponding portion of another data
item. If you specify any national items or literals in the statement, you must
specify all items as national.
v Count the number of times a specific character (zero, space, or asterisk, for
example) occurs in a data item. For a national data item, the count is in national
characters.

“Examples: INSPECT statement”

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Unicode and encoding of language characters” on page 105

RELATED REFERENCES
INSPECT statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Examples: INSPECT statement

The following examples show some uses of the INSPECT statement.

In the following example, the INSPECT statement is used to examine and replace
characters in data item DATA-2. The number of times a leading 0 occurs in the data
item is accumulated in COUNTR. Every instance of the character A following the first
instance of the character C is replaced by the character 2.
77 COUNTR PIC 9 VALUE ZERO.
01 DATA-2 PIC X(11).
. . .
INSPECT DATA-2
TALLYING COUNTR FOR LEADING “0”
REPLACING FIRST “A” BY “2” AFTER INITIAL “C”

Chapter 6. Handling strings 95

 DATA-2 before COUNTR after DATA-2 after
00ACADEMY00 2 00AC2DEMY00
0000ALABAMA 4 0000ALABAMA
CHATHAM0000 0 CH2THAM0000

In the following example, the INSPECT statement is used to examine and replace
characters in data item DATA-3. Every character in the data item preceding the first
instance of a quote (“) is replaced by the character 0.
77 COUNTR PIC 9 VALUE ZERO.
01 DATA-3 PIC X(8).
. . .
INSPECT DATA-3
REPLACING CHARACTERS BY ZEROS BEFORE INITIAL QUOTE

DATA-3 before COUNTR after DATA-3 after

456”ABEL 0 000“ABEL
ANDES”12 0 00000“12
”TWAS BR 0 “TWAS BR

The following example shows the use of INSPECT CONVERTING with AFTER and
BEFORE phrases to examine and replace characters in data item DATA-4. All
characters in the data item following the first instance of the character / but
preceding the first instance of the character ? (if any) are translated from lowercase
to uppercase.
01 DATA-4 PIC X(11).
. . .
INSPECT DATA-4
CONVERTING
”abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz“ TO
”ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ“
AFTER INITIAL ”/“
BEFORE INITIAL”?“

DATA-4 before DATA-4 after

a/five/?six a/FIVE/?six
r/Rexx/RRRr r/REXX/RRRR
zfour?inspe zfour?inspe

Converting data items (intrinsic functions)

You can use intrinsic functions to convert character-string data items to:
v Uppercase or lowercase
v Reverse order
v Numbers
v One code page to another

You can also use the INSPECT statement to convert characters.

“Examples: INSPECT statement” on page 95

96 Programming Guide
 You can use the NATIONAL-OF and DISPLAY-OF intrinsic functions to convert to and
from national (Unicode) strings.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Unicode and encoding of language characters” on page 105

Converting to uppercase or lowercase (UPPER-CASE,

LOWER-CASE)
01 Item-1 Pic x(30) Value “Hello World!”.
01 Item-2 Pic x(30).
. . .
Display Item-1
Display Function Upper-case(Item-1)
Display Function Lower-case(Item-1)
Move Function Upper-case(Item-1) to Item-2
Display Item-2

The code above displays the following messages on the system logical output
device:
Hello World!
HELLO WORLD!
hello world!
HELLO WORLD!

The DISPLAY statements do not change the actual contents of Item-1, but affect only
how the letters are displayed. However, the MOVE statement causes uppercase
letters to be moved to the actual contents of Item-2.

Converting to reverse order (REVERSE)

The following code reverses the order of the characters in Orig-cust-name.
Move Function Reverse(Orig-cust-name) To Orig-cust-name

For example, if the starting value is JOHNSONbbb, the value after the statement is
performed is bbbNOSNHOJ, where b represents a blank space.

When you reverse the order of a national string, the result is a national string.

Converting to numbers (NUMVAL, NUMVAL-C)

The NUMVAL and NUMVAL-C functions convert character strings to numbers. Use these
functions to convert alphanumeric data items that contain free-format
character-representation numbers to numeric form, and process them numerically.
For example:
01 R Pic x(20) Value “- 1234.5678”.
01 S Pic x(20) Value “ $12,345.67CR”.
01 Total Usage is Comp-1.
. . .
Compute Total = Function Numval(R) + Function Numval-C(S)

Use NUMVAL-C when the argument includes a currency symbol or comma, or both,
as shown in the example. You can also place an algebraic sign before or after the
character string, and the sign will be processed. The arguments must not exceed 18
digits when you compile with the default option ARITH(COMPAT) (compatibility mode)
nor 31 digits when you compile with ARITH(EXTEND) (extended mode), not including
the editing symbols.

Chapter 6. Handling strings 97

 NUMVAL and NUMVAL-C return long (64-bit) floating-point values in compatibility
mode, and return extended-precision (128-bit) floating-point values in extended
mode. A reference to either of these functions, therefore, represents a reference to a
numeric data item.

When you use NUMVAL or NUMVAL-C, you do not need to statically declare numeric
data in a fixed format, nor input data in a precise manner. For example, suppose
you define numbers to be entered as follows:
01 X Pic S999V99 leading sign is separate.
. . .
Accept X from Console

The user of the application must enter the numbers exactly as defined by the
PICTURE clause. For example:
+001.23
-300.00

However, using the NUMVAL function, you could code:

01 A Pic x(10).
01 B Pic S999V99.
. . .
Accept A from Console
Compute B = Function Numval(A)

The input could then be:

1.23
-300

Converting from one code page to another

You can nest the DISPLAY-OF and NATIONAL-OF intrinsic functions to easily convert
from any code page to any other code page. For example, the following code
converts an EBCDIC string to an ASCII string:
77 EBCDIC-CCSID PIC 9(4) BINARY VALUE 1140.
77 ASCII-CCSID PIC 9(4) BINARY VALUE 819.
77 Input-EBCDIC PIC X(80).
77 ASCII-Output PIC X(80).
* Convert EBCDIC to ASCII
Move Function
Display-of
( Function National-of
(Input-EBCDIC EBCDIC-CCSID),
ASCII-CCSID
)
to ASCII-output

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Formats for numeric data” on page 40

RELATED TASKS
“Assigning input from a screen or file (ACCEPT)” on page 29
“Displaying values on a screen or in a file (DISPLAY)” on page 30
“Converting national data” on page 107

RELATED REFERENCES
NUMVAL (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
NUMVAL-C (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
“ARITH” on page 291

98 Programming Guide
Evaluating data items (intrinsic functions)
You can use several intrinsic functions in evaluating data items:
v CHAR and ORD for evaluating integers and single alphanumeric characters with
respect to the collating sequence used in your program
v MAX, MIN, ORD-MAX, and ORD-MIN for finding the largest and smallest items in a
series of data items, including national data items
v LENGTH for finding the length of data items, including national data items
v WHEN-COMPILED for finding the date and time the program was compiled

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Unicode and encoding of language characters” on page 105

RELATED TASKS
“Evaluating single characters for collating sequence”
“Finding the largest or smallest data item”
“Finding the length of data items” on page 101
“Finding the date of compilation” on page 101

Evaluating single characters for collating sequence

To find out the ordinal position of a given character in the collating sequence, use
the ORD function with the character as the argument. ORD returns an integer
representing that ordinal position. One convenient way to find a character’s ordinal
position is to use a one-character substring of a data item as the argument to ORD:
IF Function Ord(Customer-record(1:1)) IS > 194 THEN . . .

If you know the ordinal position in the collating sequence of a character, and want
to know the character that it corresponds to, use the CHAR function with the integer
ordinal position as the argument. CHAR returns the desired character:
INITIALIZE Customer-Name REPLACING ALPHABETIC BY Function Char(65)

RELATED REFERENCES
CHAR (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
ORD (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Finding the largest or smallest data item

If you want to know which of two or more alphanumeric data items has the
largest value, use the MAX or ORD-MAX function. Supply the data items in question as
arguments. If you want to know which item contains the smallest value, use the
MIN or ORD-MIN function. These functions evaluate the values according to the
collating sequence. You can also use MAX, ORD-MAX, MIN, or ORD-MIN for numbers. In
that case, the algebraic values of the arguments are compared.

MAX and MIN

The MAX and MIN functions return the contents of one of the variables you supply.

For example, suppose you have these data definitions:

05 Arg1 Pic x(10) Value “THOMASSON ”.
05 Arg2 Pic x(10) Value “THOMAS ”.
05 Arg3 Pic x(10) Value “VALLEJO ”.

The following statement assigns VALLEJObbb to the first 10 character positions of

Customer-record, where b represents a blank space:
Move Function Max(Arg1 Arg2 Arg3) To Customer-record(1:10)

Chapter 6. Handling strings 99

 If you use MIN instead, then THOMASbbbb is assigned.

If you specify a national item for any argument, you must specify all arguments as
national.

ORD-MAX and ORD-MIN

The functions ORD-MAX and ORD-MIN return an integer that represents the ordinal
position of the argument with the largest or smallest value in the list of arguments
you supply (counting from the left).

If you used the ORD-MAX function in the example above, you would receive a syntax
error message at compile time; the reference to a numeric function is in an invalid
place. The following is a valid use of the ORD-MAX function:
Compute x = Function Ord-max(Arg1 Arg2 Arg3)

This code assigns the integer 3 to x if the same arguments are used as in the
previous example. If you use ORD-MIN instead, the integer 2 is returned. The above
examples would probably be more realistic if Arg1, Arg2, and Arg3 were instead
successive elements of an array (table).

If you specify a national item for any argument, you must specify all arguments as
national.

Returning variable-length results with alphanumeric functions

The results of alphanumeric functions could be of varying lengths and values
depending on the function arguments.

In the following example, the amount of data moved to R3 and the results of the
COMPUTE statement depend on the values and sizes of R1 and R2:
01 R1 Pic x(10) value “e”.
01 R2 Pic x(05) value “f”.
01 R3 Pic x(20) value spaces.
01 L Pic 99.
. . .
Move Function Max(R1 R2) to R3
Compute L = Function Length(Function Max(R1 R2))

Here, R2 is evaluated to be larger than R1. Therefore:

v The string ’fbbbb’ is moved to R3, where b represents a blank space. (The unfilled
character positions in R3 are padded with spaces.)
v L evaluates to the value 5.

If R1 contained ’g’ instead of ’e’, then R1 would evaluate as larger than R2, and:
v The string ’gbbbbbbbbb’ would be moved to R3. (The unfilled character positions
in R3 would be padded with spaces.)
v The value 10 would be assigned to L.

You might be dealing with variable-length output from alphanumeric functions.

Plan your program accordingly. For example, you might need to think about using
variable-length files when the records you are writing could be of different lengths:
File Section.
FD Output-File Recording Mode V.
01 Short-Customer-Record Pic X(50).
01 Long-Customer-Record Pic X(70).
. . .
Working-Storage Section.
01 R1 Pic x(50).

100 Programming Guide

 01 R2 Pic x(70).
. . .
If R1 > R2
Write Short-Customer-Record from R1
Else
Write Long-Customer-Record from R2
End-if

RELATED TASKS
“Performing arithmetic” on page 47
“Processing table items using intrinsic functions” on page 73

RELATED REFERENCES
ORD-MAX (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
ORD-MIN (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Finding the length of data items

You can use the LENGTH function in many contexts (including numeric data and
tables) to determine the length of string items.

The following COBOL statement demonstrates moving a data item into that field
in a record that holds customer names:
Move Customer-name To Customer-record(1:Function Length(Customer-name))

The LENGTH function returns the length of a national item in national characters.

You can also use the LENGTH OF special register, which returns the length in bytes
even for national data. Coding either Function Length(Customer-name) or LENGTH
OF Customer-name returns the same result for alphanumeric items: the length of
Customer-name in bytes.

You can use the LENGTH function only where arithmetic expressions are allowed.
However, you can use the LENGTH OF special register in a greater variety of
contexts. For example, you can use the LENGTH OF special register as an argument
to an intrinsic function that allows integer arguments. (You cannot use an intrinsic
function as an operand to the LENGTH OF special register.) You can also use the
LENGTH OF special register as a parameter in a CALL statement.

RELATED TASKS
“Performing arithmetic” on page 47
“Processing table items using intrinsic functions” on page 73

RELATED REFERENCES
LENGTH (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Finding the date of compilation

If you want to know the date and time when a program was compiled, you can
use the WHEN-COMPILED function. The result returned has 21 character positions,
with the first 16 positions in the following format:
YYYYMMDDhhmmsshh

These characters show the four-digit year, month, day, and time (in hours, minutes,
seconds, and hundredths of seconds) of compilation.

The WHEN-COMPILED special register is another means you can use to find the date
and time of compilation. It has the following format:

Chapter 6. Handling strings 101

 MM/DD/YYhh.mm.ss

The WHEN-COMPILED special register supports only a two-digit year, and carries the
time out only to seconds. This special register be used only as the sending field in
a MOVE statement.

RELATED REFERENCES
WHEN-COMPILED (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

102 Programming Guide

Chapter 7. Coding for run-time use of national languages
Enterprise COBOL supports Unicode at run time. Unicode provides a consistent
and efficient way to encode plain text. Using Unicode, you can develop software
that will work with various national languages.

Use these COBOL facilities to code and compile programs for run-time use of
national languages:
v National data type and national literals
v Two intrinsic functions:
– NATIONAL-OF to return a character string in UTF-16 representation
– DISPLAY-OF to convert a national string to a selected code page (EBCDIC,
ASCII, EUC, or UTF-8)
v Two compiler options:
– CODEPAGE to specify the code page to use for alphanumeric and double-byte
character set (DBCS) data in your program
– NSYMBOL to control whether national or DBCS processing is used for the N
symbol in literals and PICTURE clauses

In addition, certain coding situations require special attention when you’re

working with national data, such as handling strings, sorting and merging, and
passing data.

Enterprise
COBOL
statement Can be national Comment For more information
ACCEPT identifier-1 Converted from EBCDIC “Assigning input from a screen or file
only if the CONSOLE option (ACCEPT)” on page 29
is specified directly or
indirectly
CALL identifier-2, identifier-3, “Passing data” on page 423
identifier-4, identifier-5;
literal-2, literal-3
COPY . . . operand-1, operand-2 “Compiler-directing statements” on
REPLACING page 332
DISPLAY identifier-1 Converted to EBCDIC only “Displaying values on a screen or in a
if the CONSOLE option is file (DISPLAY)” on page 30
specified directly or
indirectly
INITIALIZE REPLACING If you specify REPLACING “Examples: initializing variables” on
NATIONAL, identifier-2 and page 25
literal-1 must be of class
national, and vice versa.
INSPECT Identifiers and literals other If any of these is of class “Tallying and replacing data items
than identifier-3 (the national, all must be. (INSPECT)” on page 95
TALLYING identifier)
INVOKE method-name as identifier-2 “Invoking methods (INVOKE)” on
or literal-1; identifier-3 or page 480
literal-2 in the BY VALUE
phrase

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 103

Enterprise
COBOL
statement Can be national Comment For more information
MERGE Merge keys The COLLATING SEQUENCE “Setting sort or merge criteria” on
phrase does not apply. page 187
MOVE Both the sender and If the sender is a national “Assigning values to variables or
receiver data item, the receiver must structures (MOVE)” on page 27
be also.
Format-2 Both the key data item and A search argument can be “Doing a binary search (SEARCH
(binary) SEARCH the search argument an alphanumeric or ALL)” on page 72
national item when the
corresponding key is a
national item. If a search
argument is a national
item, the corresponding key
must be a national data
item.
SORT Sort keys The COLLATING SEQUENCE “Setting sort or merge criteria” on
phrase does not apply. page 187
STRING Any identifiers and literals If any of these is of class “Joining data items (STRING)” on
other than identifier-4 (the national, all must be. page 87
POINTER identifier)
UNSTRING Delimiters (identifier-2, If any of these is of class “Splitting data items (UNSTRING)” on
identifier-3), data receiving national, all must be. page 89
fields (identifier-4),
delimiter receiving fields)
identifier-5; literal-3,
literal-4

The use of national data affects these intrinsic functions:

Argument type can

Intrinsic function be national? Function type For more information
LENGTH Yes Integer “Finding the length of data items” on
page 101
LOWER-CASE, Yes National “Converting to uppercase or lowercase
UPPER-CASE (UPPER-CASE, LOWER-CASE)” on page 97
MAX, MIN Yes National “Finding the largest or smallest data item”
on page 99
ORD-MAX, ORD-MIN Yes Integer “Finding the largest or smallest data item”
on page 99
REVERSE Yes National “Converting to reverse order (REVERSE)” on
page 97

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Unicode and encoding of language characters” on page 105

RELATED TASKS
“Using national data (Unicode) in COBOL” on page 105
“Converting national data” on page 107
“Processing UTF-8 data” on page 109
“Processing Chinese GB 18030 data” on page 110
“Comparing national data items” on page 110

104 Programming Guide

 “Processing alphanumeric data items that contain DBCS data” on page 111
Appendix C, “Converting double-byte character set (DBCS) data” on page 593

RELATED REFERENCES
“CODEPAGE” on page 294
“NSYMBOL” on page 309

Unicode and encoding of language characters

Enterprise COBOL provides basic run-time support for Unicode, which can handle
65,536 character combinations compared to the 256 that ASCII supports.

Each character set is a defined set of characters, but is not associated with a coded
representation. A coded character set (also referred to here as a code page) is a set of
unambiguous rules that relate the characters of the set to their coded
representation. Each code page is like a table that sets up the symbols for
representing a character set; each symbol is a unique bit pattern, or code point. Each
| code page has a unique coded character set identifier (CCSID), which is a value from
| 1 to 65,536.

There are several encoding schemes in Unicode, called Unicode Transformation

Format (UTF), such as UTF-8, UTF-16, and UTF-32. Enterprise COBOL uses
UTF-16, CCSID 1200, in big-endian format, as the representation for the national
data type.

UTF-8 represents ASCII invariant characters a-z, A-Z, 0-9, and certain special
characters such as ’ @ , . + - = / * ( ) identically as in ASCII. UTF-16 represents
such characters as X’00nn’ where X’nn’ is the representation of the character in
ASCII.

For example, the string ’ABC’ in UTF-16 would be NX’004100420043’. In UTF-8 it

would be X’414243’.

One or more encoding units are used to represent a character in a coded character
set. For UTF-16, an encoding unit takes 2 bytes of storage. Any character defined
in any EBCDIC code page is represented in one UTF-16 encoding unit when
converted to the national data representation.

RELATED TASKS
Chapter 7, “Coding for run-time use of national languages” on page 103

Using national data (Unicode) in COBOL

In Enterprise COBOL, you can specify Unicode data by means of:
v National data items
v National literals
v Figurative constants as national characters

These declarations affect the amount of storage needed.

National data items

Define data items with USAGE NATIONAL to hold Unicode strings. Code a PICTURE
clause that consists only of one or more PICTURE symbols N.

Chapter 7. Coding for run-time use of national languages 105

 If you specify a PICTURE clause but do not specify a USAGE clause for data items
that consist only of one or more PICTURE symbols N, you can use the compiler
option NSYMBOL(NATIONAL) to ensure that the items are treated as national data
items (instead of treating them as DBCS items).

National literals
To specify national literals, use the prefix character N and compile with the option
NSYMBOL(NATIONAL). For example, you can use either of the following notations:
N“character-data”
N’character-data’

When you use NSYMBOL(DBCS), the literal prefix character N specifies a DBCS literal,
not a national literal.

To specify a national literal as a hexadecimal value, use the prefix character NX. For
example:
NX“hexadecimal-digits”

Each of the following MOVE statements sets the data item X to the Unicode value
AB:
01 X pic NN usage national.
. . .
Move NX“00410042” to X
Move N“AB” to X
Move “AB” to X

Do not use alphanumeric hex literals in contexts that call for a national literal,
because such usage is easily misunderstood. For example, the statement:
Move X“C1C2C3C4” to X

also results in moving Unicode AB (not the bit pattern C1C2C3C4) to X.

National characters as figurative constants

You can use the figurative constant ALL literal for national literals. It represents all
or part of the string that is generated by successive concatenations of the encoding
units that make up the literal.

When you use the figurative constant QUOTE, SPACE, or ZERO in a context that
requires national characters, the figurative constant represents a national character
value. However, you cannot use the figurative constants HIGH-VALUE and LOW-VALUE
in a context that requires national characters, such as a MOVE statement, an implicit
MOVE, or a relation condition with national operands.

You cannot use national literals in the SPECIAL-NAMES paragraph.

Storage of national data

Use this table to compare alphanumeric (DISPLAY), DBCS (DISPLAY-1), and Unicode
(NATIONAL) encoding and to plan your storage usage:

Characteristic DISPLAY DISPLAY-1 NATIONAL

Character encoding unit 1 byte 2 bytes 2 bytes
Code page1 EBCDIC EBCDIC UTF-16
Encoding units per character 1 1 1 or 22

106 Programming Guide

 Characteristic DISPLAY DISPLAY-1 NATIONAL
Bytes per character 1 byte 2 bytes 2 or 4 bytes

1. Use the CODEPAGE compiler option to specify the code page for the EBCDIC code page
applicable to alphanumeric or DBCS data. National literals in your source program are
converted to UTF-16 for use at run time.
2. Most characters are represented in UTF-16 using one encoding unit. In particular, the
following cases are represented using a single UTF-16 encoding unit per character:
v COBOL characters A-Z, a-z, 0-9, space character, + -*/= $,;.“()><:’
v All characters that are converted from an EBCDIC code page

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Unicode and encoding of language characters” on page 105

RELATED TASKS
“Converting national data”
“Comparing national data items” on page 110
“Processing UTF-8 data” on page 109

RELATED REFERENCES
“CODEPAGE” on page 294
“NSYMBOL” on page 309

Converting national data

You can convert alphanumeric, DBCS, and integer data items to national strings by
using the MOVE statement. (Such implicit conversions also take place in other
COBOL statements, such as a comparison of an alphanumeric data item with a
national data item.) You can also convert to and from national (Unicode) strings by
using the intrinsic functions NATIONAL-OF and DISPLAY-OF, respectively. Using the
intrinsic functions allows you to specify a code page for the conversion that is
different from the code page in effect with the CODEPAGE compiler option.

Converting alphanumeric and integer to national data (MOVE)

You can use the MOVE statement to convert alphanumeric, DBCS, and integer items
to national. When you move an alphanumeric item to a national item, it is
converted to the representation of the national data receiver (UTF-16 Unicode).
When you move an alphanumeric-edited item, numeric integer, or numeric-edited
item to a national item, it is treated as if it were first moved to an alphanumeric
data item of the size not requiring padding or truncation.

If the number of characters of the converted data is less than the size of the
national data item that you specify, the data is padded with default Unicode
UTF-16 space characters (NX’0020’). If the number of characters of the converted
data is more than the size of the national item, the trailing characters are truncated.

Converting alphanumeric to national data (NATIONAL-OF)

Use the NATIONAL-OF intrinsic function to convert an alphabetic, alphanumeric, or
DBCS item to a character string represented in Unicode (UTF-16). Specify the
source code page as an argument if the source is encoded in a different code page
than is in effect with the CODEPAGE compiler option.

Chapter 7. Coding for run-time use of national languages 107

 Converting national to alphanumeric data (DISPLAY-OF)
Use the DISPLAY-OF intrinsic function to convert a national item to a character
string represented in the code page that you specify as an argument or with the
CODEPAGE compiler option. If you specify an EBCDIC code page that combines
SBCS and DBCS characters, the returned string might contain a mixture of SBCS
and DBCS characters, with DBCS substrings delimited by shift-in and shift-out
characters.

Overriding the default code page

In some cases, you might need to convert data to or from a CCSID that differs
from the CCSID specified as the CODEPAGE option value. To do this, convert the
item by using a conversion function in which you specify the code page for the
item explicitly.

If you specify a code page as an argument to DISPLAY-OF and it differs from the
code page that you specify with the CODEPAGE compiler option, do not use the
DISPLAY-OF function result in any operations that involve implicit conversion (such
as an assignment to, or comparison with, a national data item). Such operations
assume the EBCDIC code page that is specified with the CODEPAGE compiler option.

Conversion exceptions
Implicit or explicit conversion between national and alphanumeric data could fail
and generate a severity-3 Language Environment condition. Failures could occur if
any of the follow occur:
v Unicode Conversion Services was not installed on your system.
v The code page that you specified (implicitly or explicitly) is not a valid code
page.
v The combination of the CCSID that you specified explicitly or implicitly (such as
by using the CODEPAGE compiler option) and the UTF-16 Unicode CCSID (01200)
was not configured on your system as a valid conversion pair for the Unicode
Conversion Services on the system.

A character that does not have a counterpart in the target CCSID does not result in
a conversion exception. Such a character is converted to a substitution character of
the target code page.

“Example: converting national data”

RELATED TASKS
Customizing Unicode support for COBOL (Enterprise COBOL Customization Guide)

RELATED REFERENCES
“CODEPAGE” on page 294

Example: converting national data

The following example shows the use of the NATIONAL-OF and DISPLAY-OF intrinsic
functions and the MOVE statement for converting to and from Unicode strings. It
also demonstrates the need for explicit conversions when you operate on strings
encoded in multiple code pages in the same program.
CBL CODEPAGE(00037)
* . . .
01 Data-in-Unicode pic N(100) usage national.
01 Data-in-Greek pic X(100).
01 other-data-in-US-English pic X(12) value “PRICE in $ =”.
* . . .

108 Programming Guide

 Read Greek-file into Data-in-Greek
Move function National-of(Data-in-Greek, 00875)
to Data-in-Unicode
* . . . process Data-in-Unicode here . . .
Move function Display-of(Data-in-Unicode, 00875)
to Data-in-Greek
Write Greek-record from Data-in-Greek

The above example works correctly: Data-in-Greek is converted as data

represented in CCSID 00875 (Greek) explicitly. However, the following statement
would result in an incorrect conversion (unless all the characters in the item
happen to be among those with a common representation in the Greek and the
English code pages):
Move Data-in-Greek to Data-in-Unicode

Data-in-Greek is converted to Unicode by this MOVE statement based on the CCSID

00037 (U.S. English) to UTF-16 conversion. This conversion would fail because
Data-in-Greek is actually encoded in CCSID 00875.

If you can correctly set the CODEPAGE compiler option to CCSID 00875 (that is, the
rest of your program also handles EBCDIC data in Greek), you can code the same
example correctly as follows:
CBL CODEPAGE(00875)
* . . .
01 Data-in-Unicode pic N(100) usage national.
01 Data-in-Greek pic X(100).
Read Greek-file into Data-in-Greek
* . . . process Data-in-Greek here ...
* . . . or do the following (if need to process data in Unicode)
Move Data-in-Greek to Data-in-Unicode
* . . . process Data-in-Unicode
Move function Display-of(Data-in-Unicode) to Data-in-Greek
Write Greek-record from Data-in-Greek

Processing UTF-8 data

When you need to process UTF-8 data, first convert the data to UTF-16 Unicode in
a national data item. After processing the national data, convert it back to UTF-8
for output. For the conversions, use the intrinsic functions NATIONAL-OF and
DISPLAY-OF. Use code page 01208 for UTF-8 data.

You need to do two steps to convert EBCDIC data to UTF-8:

1. Use the function NATIONAL-OF to convert the EBCDIC string to national
(UTF-16).
2. Use the function DISPLAY-OF to convert the national string (UTF-16) to UTF-8.

The following example illustrates these steps, converting Greek EBCDIC data to
UTF-8:

Chapter 7. Coding for run-time use of national languages 109

Processing Chinese GB 18030 data
Enterprise COBOL does not have any explicit support for GB 18030, but does
support processing GB 18030 characters in the following ways:
v You can use DBCS data to process GB 18030 characters that are represented in
CCSID 1388.
v You can use Unicode data to define and process GB 18030 characters that are
represented in CCSID 01200 (GB 18030 characters that do not require UTF-16
surrogates).
v You can process data in any code page (including CCSID 1388) by converting it
to Unicode, processing the data as Unicode, then converting it back to the
original code page representation.
When you need to process Chinese GB 18030 data that requires conversion, first
convert the input data to UTF-16 Unicode in a national data item. After
processing the national data, convert it back to Chinese GB 18030 for output. For
the conversions, use the intrinsic functions NATIONAL-OF and DISPLAY-OF, and
specify code page 1388 as the second argument of each.
The following example illustrates these conversions:

GB 18030 characters are encoded through the existing Chinese EBCDIC code page,
CCSID 1388, which has been expanded to include the GB 18030 characters that do
not require UTF-16 surrogate values. Surrogate values in UTF-16 are those characters
that require two 2-byte encoding units (4 bytes) for each character.

Comparing national data items

You can compare national data items explicitly or implicitly with other national
data items in relation conditions. You can code conditional expressions of national
data items in the following statements:
v EVALUATE
v IF
v INSPECT
v PERFORM
v SEARCH
v STRING
v UNSTRING

You can compare national data items explicitly or implicitly with certain
nonnational items in relation conditions in the following statements:
v EVALUATE
v IF
v PERFORM
v SEARCH

110 Programming Guide

 All comparisons that involve a national operand are national comparisons. The
operands must follow the rules for valid comparisons. The PROGRAM COLLATING
SEQUENCE does not affect comparisons that involve national operands.

Comparing national operands

When you compare two national operands of the same length, they are determined
to be equal if all pairs of the corresponding characters are equal. Otherwise,
comparison of the binary values of the first pair of unequal characters determines
the operand with the larger binary value.

When you compare operands of unequal lengths, the shorter operand is treated as
if it were padded on the right with default Unicode UTF-16 space characters
(NX’0020’) to the length of the longer operand.

Comparing national and numeric operands

You can compare national literals or national data items to integer literals or
numeric data items of USAGE DISPLAY. The numeric operand is treated as if it were
moved to an elementary alphanumeric item, and an alphanumeric comparison is
done.

Comparing national and alphabetic or alphanumeric operands

You can compare national literals or data items to alphabetic or alphanumeric data
items. The alphabetic or alphanumeric operand is treated as if it were moved to an
elementary national item, and a national comparison is done.

Comparing national and group operands

You can compare a national literal or data item to a group. The national operand is
treated as if it were moved to a group item of the same size as the group operand,
and the two groups are compared.

RELATED TASKS
“Using national data (Unicode) in COBOL” on page 105
“Coding a choice of actions” on page 75
“Tallying and replacing data items (INSPECT)” on page 95
“Coding a loop” on page 84
“Doing a serial search (SEARCH)” on page 71
“Joining data items (STRING)” on page 87
“Splitting data items (UNSTRING)” on page 89

RELATED REFERENCES
Relation condition (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
Comparison of numeric and alphanumeric operands (Enterprise COBOL Language
Reference)

Processing alphanumeric data items that contain DBCS data

If you use byte-oriented alphanumeric operations (for example, STRING, UNSTRING,
or reference modification) on an alphanumeric data item that contains DBCS
characters, results are unpredictable. You should instead do these steps:
1. Convert the item to Unicode in a national data item by using a MOVE statement
or the NATIONAL-OF function.
2. Process the national item as needed.
3. Convert the result back to alphanumeric by using the DISPLAY-OF function.

Chapter 7. Coding for run-time use of national languages 111

 RELATED TASKS
“Joining data items (STRING)” on page 87
“Splitting data items (UNSTRING)” on page 89
“Referring to substrings of data items” on page 92
“Converting national data” on page 107

112 Programming Guide

Chapter 8. Processing files
Reading and writing data is an essential part of every program. Your program
retrieves information, processes it as you request, and then produces the results.

The source of the information and the target for the results can be one or more of
the following:
v Another program
v Direct-access storage device
v Magnetic tape
v Printer
v Terminal
v Card reader or punch

The information as it exists on an external device is in a physical record or block, a

collection of information that is handled as a unit by the system during input or
output operations.

Your COBOL program does not directly handle physical records. It processes
logical records. A logical record can correspond to a complete physical record, part
of a physical record, or to parts or all of one or more physical records. Your
COBOL program handles logical records exactly as you have defined them.

In COBOL, a collection of logical records is a file, a sequence of pieces of

information that your program can process.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“File organization and input-output devices”

RELATED TASKS
“Choosing file organization and access mode” on page 115
“Allocating files” on page 117
“Checking for input or output errors” on page 118

File organization and input-output devices

Depending on the input-output devices, your file organization can be sequential,
line sequential, indexed, or relative. Decide on the file types and devices to be used
when you design your program.

You have the following choices of file organization:

Sequential file organization
The chronological order in which records are entered when a file is created
establishes the arrangement of the records. Each record except the first has
a unique predecessor record, and each record except the last has a unique
successor record. Once established, these relationships do not change.
The access (record transmission) mode allowed for sequential files is
sequential only.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 113

 Line-sequential file organization
Line-sequential files are sequential files that reside on the hierarchical file
system (HFS) and that contain only characters as data. Each record ends
with a new-line character.
The only access (record transmission) mode allowed for line-sequential files
is sequential.
Indexed file organization
Each record in the file contains a special field whose contents form the
record key. The position of the key is the same in each record. The index
component of the file establishes the logical arrangement of the file, an
ordering by record key. The actual physical arrangement of the records in
the file is not significant to your COBOL program.
An indexed file can also use alternate indexes in addition to the record key.
These keys let you access the file using a different logical ordering of the
records.
The access (record transmission) modes allowed for indexed files are
sequential, random, or dynamic. When you read or write indexed files
sequentially, the sequence is that of the key values.
Relative file organization
Records in the file are identified by their location relative to the beginning
of the file. The first record in the file has a relative record number of 1, the
tenth record has a relative record number of 10, and so on.
The access (record transmission) modes allowed for relative files are
sequential, random, or dynamic. When relative files are read or written
sequentially, the sequence is that of the relative record number.

With IBM Enterprise COBOL for z/OS and OS/390, requests to the operating
system for the storage and retrieval of records from input-output devices are
handled by the two access methods QSAM and VSAM, and the UNIX file system.

The device type upon which you elect to store your data could affect the choices of
file organization available to you. Direct-access storage devices provide greater
flexibility in the file organization options. Sequential-only devices limit
organization options but have other characteristics, such as the portability of tapes,
that might be useful.
Sequential-only devices
Terminals, printers, card readers, and punches are called unit-record devices
because they process one line at a time. Therefore, you must also process
records one at a time sequentially in your program when it reads from or
writes to unit-record devices.
On tape, records are ordered sequentially, so your program must process
them sequentially. Use QSAM physical sequential files when processing
tape files. The records on tape can be fixed length or variable length. The
rate of data transfer is faster than it is for cards.
Direct-access storage devices
Direct-access storage devices hold many records. The record arrangement
of files stored on these devices determines the ways that your program can
process the data. When using direct-access devices, you have greater
flexibility within your program, because your can use several types of file
organization:
v Sequential (VSAM or QSAM)

114 Programming Guide

 v Line sequential (UNIX)
v Indexed (VSAM)
v Relative (VSAM)

RELATED TASKS
“Allocating files” on page 117
Chapter 9, “Processing QSAM files” on page 119
Chapter 10, “Processing VSAM files” on page 147
Chapter 11, “Processing line-sequential files” on page 173
“Choosing file organization and access mode”

Choosing file organization and access mode

Consider the following guidelines when determining which file organization and
access mode to use in your application:
v If your application accesses records (fixed-length or variable-length records) only
sequentially and does not insert records between existing ones, a QSAM or
VSAM sequential file is the simplest type.
v If you are developing an application for UNIX that sequentially accesses records
that contain only printable characters and certain control characters,
line-sequential files work the best.
v If your application requires both sequential and random access (fixed-length or
variable-length records), a VSAM indexed file is the most flexible type.
v If your application randomly inserts and deletes records, a relative file works
well.

If a large percentage of a file is referenced or updated in your application,

sequential processing is faster than random or dynamic access. If a small
percentage of records is processed during each run of your application, use
random or dynamic access.

The following table shows the possible file organizations, access modes, and record
formats for COBOL files.

Sequential Random Dynamic Fixed- Variable-

File organization access access access length length
QSAM (physical X X X
sequential)
Line sequential X X1 X
VSAM sequential (ESDS) X X X
VSAM indexed (KSDS) X X X X X
VSAM relative (RRDS) X X X X X

1. The data itself is in variable format but can be read into and written from COBOL
fixed-length records.

RELATED REFERENCES
“Format for coding input and output” on page 116
“Allowable control characters” on page 174

Chapter 8. Processing files 115

 Format for coding input and output
The following code shows the general format of input-output coding. Explanations
of the user-supplied information follow the code.
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
. . .
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION.
INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION.
FILE-CONTROL.
SELECT filename ASSIGN TO assignment-name (1) (2)
ORGANIZATION IS org ACCESS MODE IS access (3) (4)
FILE STATUS IS file-status (5)
. . .
DATA DIVISION.
FILE SECTION.
FD filename
01 recordname (6)
nn . . . fieldlength & type (7) (8)
nn . . . fieldlength & type
. . .
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION
01 file-status PICTURE 99.
. . .
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
. . .
OPEN iomode filename (9)
. . .
READ filename
. . .
WRITE recordname
. . .
CLOSE filename
. . .
STOP RUN.

The user-supplied information in the code above is as follows:

(1) filename
Any legal COBOL name. You must use the same file name on the SELECT
and the FD statements, and on the READ, OPEN, and CLOSE statements. In
addition, the file name is required if you use the START or DELETE
statements. This name is not necessarily the actual name of the data set as
known to the system. Each file requires its own SELECT, FD, and
input-output statements.
(2) assignment-name
Any name you choose, provided that it follows COBOL and system
naming rules. The name can be 1-30 characters long if it is a user-defined
word, or 1-160 characters long if it is a literal. You code the name part of
the assignment-name on a DD statement, in an ALLOCATE command (TSO) or
as an environment variable (for example, in an export command) (UNIX).
(3) org The organization can be SEQUENTIAL, LINE SEQUENTIAL, INDEXED, or
RELATIVE. This clause is optional for QSAM files.
(4) access
The access mode can be SEQUENTIAL, RANDOM, or DYNAMIC. For sequential file
processing, including line-sequential, you can omit this clause.
(5) file-status
The two-character COBOL FILE STATUS key.
(6) recordname
The name of the record used in the WRITE and REWRITE statements.

116 Programming Guide

 (7) fieldlength
The logical length of the field.
(8) type
The record format of the file. If you break the record entry beyond the
level-01 description, each element should map accurately against the fields
in the record.
(9) iomode
The INPUT or OUTPUT mode. If you are only reading from a file, code INPUT.
If you are only writing to it, code OUTPUT or EXTEND. If you are both reading
and writing, code I-O, except for organization LINE SEQUENTIAL.

RELATED TASKS
Chapter 9, “Processing QSAM files” on page 119
Chapter 10, “Processing VSAM files” on page 147
Chapter 11, “Processing line-sequential files” on page 173

Allocating files
For any type of file (sequential, line sequential, indexed, or relative) in your z/OS
or UNIX applications, you can define the external name with either a ddname or
an environment variable name. The external name is the name in the
assignment-name of the ASSIGN clause.

If the file is in the HFS, you can use either a DD definition or an environment
variable to define the file by specifying its path name with the PATH keyword.

The environment variable name must be uppercase. The allowable attributes for its
value depend on the organization of the file being defined.

Because you can define the external name in either of two ways, the COBOL run
time goes through the following steps to find the definition of the file:
1. If the ddname is explicitly allocated, it is used. The definition can be from a DD
statement in JCL, an ALLOCATE command from TSO/E, or a user-initiated
dynamic allocation.
2. If the ddname is not explicitly allocated and an environment variable of the
same name is set, the value of the environment variable is used.
The file is dynamically allocated using the attributes specified by the
environment variable. At a minimum, you must specify either the PATH() or
DSN() option. All options and attributes must be in uppercase, except for the
path-name suboption of the PATH option, which is case sensitive. You cannot
specify a temporary data set name in the DSN() option.
File status code 98 results from any of the following:
v The contents (including a value of null or all blanks) of the environment
variable are not valid.
v The dynamic allocation of the file fails.
v The dynamic deallocation of the file fails.

The COBOL run time checks the contents of the environment variable at each
OPEN statement. If a file with the same external name was dynamically allocated
by a previous OPEN statement and the contents of the environment variable
have changed since that OPEN, the run time dynamically deallocates the
previous allocation and reallocates the file using the options currently set in the

Chapter 8. Processing files 117

 environment variable. If the contents of the environment variable have not
changed, the run time uses the current allocation.
3. If neither a ddname nor an environment variable is defined, the following
occurs:
v If the allocation is for a QSAM file and the CBLQDA run-time option is in
effect, CBLQDA dynamic allocation processing takes place for those eligible
files. This type of “implicit” dynamic allocation persists for the life of the run
unit and cannot be reallocated.
v Otherwise the allocation fails.

The COBOL run time deallocates all dynamic allocations at run unit termination,
except “implicit” CBLQDA allocations.

RELATED TASKS
“Setting and accessing environment variables” on page 398
“Defining and allocating QSAM files” on page 134
“Dynamically creating QSAM files with CBLQDA” on page 130
“Allocating VSAM files” on page 168

Checking for input or output errors

After each input or output statement is performed, the FILE STATUS key is updated
with a value that indicates the success or failure of the operation. Using a FILE
STATUS clause, test the FILE STATUS key after each input or output statement, and
call an error-handling procedure if a nonzero file status code is returned.

With VSAM files, you can use a second data-name in the FILE STATUS clause to get
additional VSAM return code information.

Another way of handling errors in input and output operations is to code ERROR
(synonymous with EXCEPTION) declaratives, as explained in the references below.

RELATED TASKS
“Handling errors in input and output operations” on page 223
“Coding ERROR declaratives” on page 227
“Using file status keys” on page 228

118 Programming Guide

Chapter 9. Processing QSAM files
Queued sequential access method (QSAM) files are unkeyed files in which the
records are placed one after another, according to entry order. Your program can
process these files only sequentially, retrieving (with the READ statement) records in
the same order as they are in the file. Each record is placed after the preceding
record.

To process QSAM files in your program, use COBOL language statements that:
v Identify and describe the QSAM files in the ENVIRONMENT DIVISION and the DATA
DIVISION.
v Process the records in these files in the PROCEDURE DIVISION.

After you have created a record, you cannot change its length or its position in the
file, and you cannot delete it. You can, however, update QSAM files on
direct-access storage devices (using REWRITE), though not in the HFS.

QSAM files can be on tape, direct-access storage devices (DASDs), unit-record

devices, and terminals. QSAM processing is best for tables and intermediate
storage.

You can also access byte-stream files in the HFS using QSAM. These files are
binary byte-oriented sequential files with no record structure. The record
definitions that you code in your COBOL program and the length of the variables
that you read into and write from determine the amount of data transferred.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Labels for QSAM files” on page 141
Using access methods (z/OS DFSMS: Using Data Sets)

RELATED TASKS
“Defining QSAM files and records in COBOL”
“Coding input and output statements for QSAM files” on page 129
“Handling errors in QSAM files” on page 133
“Working with QSAM files” on page 133
“Processing QSAM ASCII files on tape” on page 143
“Processing ASCII file labels” on page 145

Defining QSAM files and records in COBOL

Use the FILE-CONTROL entry to:
v Define the files in your COBOL program as QSAM files.
v Associate the files with the external file-names (ddnames or environment
variable names). (An external file-name is the name by which a file is known to
the operating system.)

In the following example, COMMUTER-FILE-MST is your program’s name for the file;
COMMUTR is the external name.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 119

 FILE-CONTROL.
SELECT COMMUTER-FILE-MST
ASSIGN TO S-COMMUTR
ORGANIZATION IS SEQUENTIAL
ACCESS MODE IS SEQUENTIAL.

Your ASSIGN clause name can include an S- before the external name (ddname or
environment variable name) to document that the file is a QSAM file.

Both the ORGANIZATION and ACCESS MODE clauses are optional.

RELATED TASKS
“Establishing record formats”
“Setting block sizes” on page 127

Establishing record formats

In the FD entry in the DATA DIVISION, code the record format and whether the
records are blocked. In the associated record description entry or entries, define the
record-name and record length.

You can code a record format of F, V, S, or U in the RECORDING MODE clause. COBOL
determines the record format from the RECORD clause or from the record
descriptions associated with your FD entry for the file. If you want the records to
be blocked, code the BLOCK CONTAINS clause in your FD entry.

The following example shows how the FD entry might look for a file with
fixed-length records:
FILE SECTION.
FD COMMUTER-FILE-MST
RECORDING MODE IS F
BLOCK CONTAINS 0 RECORDS
RECORD CONTAINS 80 CHARACTERS.
01 COMMUTER-RECORD-MST.
05 COMMUTER-NUMBER PIC X(16).
05 COMMUTER-DESCRIPTION PIC X(64).

A recording mode of S is not supported for files in the HFS. The above example is
appropriate for such a file.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Logical records”

RELATED TASKS
“Requesting fixed-length format” on page 121
“Requesting variable-length format” on page 122
“Requesting spanned format” on page 124
“Requesting undefined format” on page 126
“Defining QSAM files and records in COBOL” on page 119

Logical records
The term logical record is used in a slightly different way in the COBOL language
and in z/OS QSAM. For format-V and format-S files, the QSAM logical record
includes a 4-byte prefix in front of the user data portion of the record that is not
included in the definition of a COBOL logical record. For format-F and format-U
files, and for HFS byte-stream files, the definitions of QSAM logical record and
COBOL logical record are identical.

120 Programming Guide

In this information, QSAM logical record refers to the QSAM definition, and logical
record refers to the COBOL definition.

RELATED REFERENCES
“Layout of format-F records”
“Layout of format-V records” on page 123
“Layout of format-S records” on page 125
“Layout of format-U records” on page 126

Requesting fixed-length format

Fixed-length records are in format F. Use RECORDING MODE F to explicitly request
this format.

You can omit the RECORDING MODE clause. The compiler determines the recording
mode to be F if the length of the largest level-01 record associated with the file is
not greater than the block size coded in the BLOCK CONTAINS clause, and you take
one of the following actions:
v Use the RECORD CONTAINS integer clause (RECORD clause format 1).
When you use this clause, the file is always fixed format with record length
integer, even if there are multiple level-01 record description entries with
different lengths associated with the file.
v Omit the RECORD CONTAINS integer clause, but code the same fixed size and no
OCCURS DEPENDING ON clause for all level-01 record description entries associated
with the file. This fixed size is the record length.

In an unblocked format-F file, the logical record is the same as the block.

In a blocked format-F file, the number of logical records in a block (the blocking
factor) is constant for every block in the file, except the last block, which might be
shorter. Files in the HFS are never blocked.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Logical records” on page 120

RELATED TASKS
“Requesting variable-length format” on page 122
“Requesting spanned format” on page 124
“Requesting undefined format” on page 126
“Establishing record formats” on page 120

RELATED REFERENCES
“Layout of format-F records”

Layout of format-F records: The layout of format-F QSAM records is shown

below.

Chapter 9. Processing QSAM files 121

 RELATED CONCEPTS
“Logical records” on page 120

RELATED TASKS
“Requesting fixed-length format” on page 121
Fixed-length record formats (z/OS DFSMS: Using Data Sets)

RELATED REFERENCES
“Layout of format-V records” on page 123
“Layout of format-S records” on page 125
“Layout of format-U records” on page 126

Requesting variable-length format

Variable-length records can be in format V or format D. Format-D records are
variable-length records on ASCII tape files. Format-D records are processed in the
same way as format-V records. Use RECORDING MODE V for both.

You can omit the RECORDING MODE clause. The compiler determines the recording
mode to be V if the largest level-01 record associated with the file is not greater
than the block size set in the BLOCK CONTAINS clause, and you take one of the
following actions:
v Use the RECORD IS VARYING clause (RECORD clause format 3).
If you provide values for integer-1 and integer-2 (RECORD IS VARYING FROM
integer-1 TO integer-2), the maximum record length is the value coded for
integer-2, regardless of the lengths coded in the level-01 record description
entries associated with the file.
If you omit integer-1 and integer-2, the maximum record length is determined to
be the size of the largest level-01 record description entry associated with the
file.
v Use the RECORD CONTAINS integer-1 TO integer-2 clause (RECORD clause format 2).
Make integer-1 and integer-2 match the minimum length and the maximum
length of the level-01 record description entries associated with the file. The
maximum record length is the integer-2 value.
v Omit the RECORD clause, but code multiple level-01 records (associated with the
file) that are of different sizes or contain an OCCURS DEPENDING ON clause.
The maximum record length is determined to be the size of the largest level-01
record description entry associated with the file.

When you specify a READ INTO statement for a format-V file, the record size read
for that file is used in the MOVE statement generated by the compiler. Consequently,
you might not get the result you expect if the record just read does not correspond
to the level-01 record description. All other rules of the MOVE statement apply. For
example, when you specify a MOVE statement for a format-V record read in by the
READ statement, the size of the record moved corresponds to its level-01 record
description.

When you specify a READ statement for a format-V file followed by a MOVE of the
level-01 record, the actual record length is not used. The program will attempt to
move the number of bytes described by the level-01 record description. If this
number exceeds the actual record length and extends outside the area addressable
by the program, results are unpredictable. If the number of bytes described by the
level-01 record description is shorter than the physical record read, truncation of
bytes beyond the 01-level description occurs. To find the actual length of a
variable-length record, specify data-name-1 in format 3 of the RECORD clause of the
File Definition (FD).

122 Programming Guide

RELATED TASKS
“Requesting fixed-length format” on page 121
“Requesting spanned format” on page 124
“Requesting undefined format” on page 126
“Establishing record formats” on page 120

RELATED REFERENCES
“Layout of format-V records”
Moving from the VS COBOL II run time (Enterprise COBOL Compiler and Run-Time
Migration Guide)

Layout of format-V records: Format-V QSAM records have control fields (shown
below) preceding the data. The QSAM logical record length is determined by
adding 4 bytes (for the control fields) to the record length defined in your
program, but you must not include these 4 bytes in the description of the record
and record length.

CC The first 4 bytes of each block contain control information.

LL Represents 2 bytes designating the length of the block (including the
’CC’ field).
BB Represents 2 bytes reserved for system use.
cc The first 4 bytes of each logical record contain control information.
ll Represents 2 bytes designating the logical record length (including the
’cc’ field).
bb Represents 2 bytes reserved for system use.

The block length is determined as follows:

v Unblocked format-V records: CC + cc + the data portion
v Blocked format-V records: CC + the cc of each record + the data portion of each
record

The operating system provides the control bytes when the file is written; the
control byte fields do not appear in your description of the logical record in the
DATA DIVISION of your program. COBOL allocates input and output buffers large
enough to accommodate the control bytes. These control fields in the buffer are not
available for you to use in your program. When variable-length records are written
on unit record devices, control bytes are neither printed nor punched. They appear,
however, on other external storage devices, as well as in buffer areas of storage. If
you move V-mode records from an input buffer to a WORKING-STORAGE area, they’ll
be moved without the control bytes.

Files in the HFS are never blocked.

Chapter 9. Processing QSAM files 123

 RELATED CONCEPTS
“Logical records” on page 120

RELATED TASKS
“Requesting variable-length format” on page 122

RELATED REFERENCES
“Layout of format-F records” on page 121
“Layout of format-S records” on page 125
“Layout of format-U records” on page 126

Requesting spanned format

Spanned records are in format S. A spanned record is a QSAM logical record that
can be contained in one or more physical blocks. You can code RECORDING MODE S
for spanned records in QSAM files assigned to magnetic tape or to direct access
devices. Do not request spanned records for files in the HFS.

You can omit the RECORDING MODE clause. The compiler determines the recording
mode to be S if the maximum record length plus 4 is greater than the block size set
in the BLOCK CONTAINS clause.

For files with format S in your program, the compiler determines the maximum
record length with the same rules used for format V. The length is based on your
usage of the RECORD clause.

When creating files containing format-S records, and a record is larger than the
remaining space in a block, COBOL writes a segment of the record to fill the block.
The rest of the record is stored in the next block or blocks, depending on its length.
COBOL supports QSAM spanned records up to 32,760 bytes long.

When retrieving files with format-S records, your program can retrieve only
complete records.

Benefits of format-S files: You can efficiently use external storage and still
organize your files with logical record lengths by defining files with format-S
records:
v You can set block lengths to efficiently use track capacities on direct access
devices.
v You are not required to adjust the logical record lengths to device-dependent
physical block lengths. One logical record can span two or more physical blocks.
v You have greater flexibility when you want to transfer logical records between
direct access storage types.

You will, however, have additional overhead in processing format-S files.

Format-S files and READ INTO: By specifying a READ INTO statement for a
format-S file, the record size just read for that file is used in the MOVE statement
generated by the compiler. Consequently, you might not get the result you expect
if the record just read does not correspond to the level-01 record description. All
other rules of the MOVE statement apply.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Logical records” on page 120
“Spanned blocked and unblocked files” on page 125

124 Programming Guide

RELATED TASKS
“Requesting fixed-length format” on page 121
“Requesting variable-length format” on page 122
“Requesting undefined format” on page 126
“Establishing record formats” on page 120

RELATED REFERENCES
“Layout of format-S records”

Spanned blocked and unblocked files: A spanned blocked QSAM file is made
up of blocks, each containing one or more logical records or segments of logical
records. The logical records can be either fixed or variable in length and their size
can be smaller than, equal to, or larger than the physical block size. There are no
required relationships between logical records and physical block sizes.

A spanned unblocked file is made up of physical blocks, each containing one

logical record or one segment of a logical record. The logical records can be either
fixed or variable in length. When the physical block contains one logical record,
the block length is determined by the logical record size. When a logical record has
to be segmented, the system always writes the largest physical block possible. The
system segments the logical record when the entire logical record cannot fit on a
track.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Logical records” on page 120

RELATED TASKS
“Requesting spanned format” on page 124

Layout of format-S records: Spanned records are preceded by control fields, as

shown below.

Each block is preceded by a block descriptor field. There is only one block
descriptor field at the beginning of each physical block.

Each segment of a record in a block, even if the segment is the entire record, is
preceded by a segment descriptor field. There is one segment descriptor field for
each record segment in the block. The segment descriptor field also indicates
whether the segment is the first, the last, or an intermediate segment.

You do not describe these fields in the DATA DIVISION of your COBOL program,
and the fields are not available for you to use in your program.

RELATED TASKS
“Requesting spanned format” on page 124

RELATED REFERENCES
“Layout of format-F records” on page 121
“Layout of format-V records” on page 123
“Layout of format-U records” on page 126

Chapter 9. Processing QSAM files 125

 Requesting undefined format
Format-U records have undefined or unspecified characteristics. With format U,
you can process blocks that do not meet format-F or format-V specifications.

| When you use format-U files, each block of storage is one logical record. A read of
| a format-U file returns the entire block as a record, and a write to a format-U file
| writes a record out as a block.

The compiler determines the recording mode to be U only if you code RECORDING
MODE U.

| It is recommended that you not use format U to update or extend a file that was
| written with a different record format. If you use format U to update a file that
| was written with a different format, the RECFM in the data set label could be
| changed or the data set could contain records written in different formats.

The record length is determined in your program based on how you use the
RECORD clause:
v If you use the RECORD CONTAINS integer clause (RECORD clause format 1), the record
length is the integer value, regardless of the lengths of the level-01 record
description entries associated with the file.
v If you use the RECORD IS VARYING clause (RECORD clause format 3), the record
length is determined based on whether you code integer-1 and integer-2.
If you code integer-1 and integer-2 (RECORD IS VARYING FROM integer-1 TO
integer-2), the maximum record length is the integer-2 value, regardless of the
lengths of the level-01 record description entries associated with the file.
If you omit integer-1 and integer-2, the maximum record length is determined to
be the size of the largest level-01 record description entry associated with the
file.
v If you use the RECORD CONTAINS integer-1 TO integer-2 clause (RECORD clause
format 2), with integer-1 and integer-2 matching the minimum length and the
maximum length of the level-01 record description entries associated with the
file, the maximum record length is the integer-2 value.
v If you omit the RECORD clause, the maximum record length is determined to be
the size of the largest level-01 record description entry associated with the file.

Format-U files and READ INTO: When you specify a READ INTO statement for a
format-U file, the size of the record just read for that file is used in the MOVE
statement generated by the compiler. Consequently, you might not get the result
you expect if the record just read does not correspond to the level-01 record
description. All other rules of the MOVE statement apply.

RELATED TASKS
“Requesting fixed-length format” on page 121
“Requesting variable-length format” on page 122
“Requesting spanned format” on page 124
“Establishing record formats” on page 120

RELATED REFERENCES
“Layout of format-U records”

Layout of format-U records: Each block of external storage is handled as a logical

record. There are no record-length or block-length fields.

126 Programming Guide

 RELATED CONCEPTS
“Logical records” on page 120

RELATED TASKS
“Requesting undefined format” on page 126

RELATED REFERENCES
“Layout of format-F records” on page 121
“Layout of format-V records” on page 123
“Layout of format-S records” on page 125

Setting block sizes

In COBOL, you establish the size of a physical record with the BLOCK CONTAINS
clause. If you omit this clause, the compiler assumes that the records are not
blocked. Blocking QSAM files on tape and disk can enhance processing speed and
minimize storage requirements. You can block UNIX system services files
(including those in the HFS), PDSE members, and spooled data sets, but doing so
has no effect on how the system stores the data.

If you set the block size explicitly in the BLOCK CONTAINS clause, it must not be
greater than the maximum block size for the device. The block size set for a
format-F file must be an integral multiple of the record length.

If your program uses QSAM files on tape, use a physical block size of at least 12 to
18 bytes. Otherwise, the block will be skipped over when a parity check occurs
while doing one of the following:
v Reading a block of records of fewer than 12 bytes
v Writing a block of records of fewer than 18 bytes

Generally larger blocks give you better performance. Blocks of only a few kilobytes
are particularly inefficient; you should choose a block size of at least tens of
kilobytes. If you specify record blocking and omit the block size, the system will
pick a block size that is optimal for device utilization and for data transfer speed.

Letting z/OS determine block size

We recommend that to maximize performance, you not explicitly set the block size
for a blocked file in your COBOL source program. For new blocked data sets, it is
simpler to allow z/OS to supply a system-determined block size. To use this
feature, follow these guidelines:
v Code BLOCK CONTAINS 0 in your source program.
v Do not code RECORD CONTAINS 0 in your source program.
v Do not code a BLKSIZE value in the JCL DD statement.

Setting block size explicitly

If you prefer to set a block size explicitly, your program will be most flexible if you
follow these guidelines:
v Code BLOCK CONTAINS 0 in your source program.
v Code a BLKSIZE value in the ddname definition (the JCL DD statement).

Chapter 9. Processing QSAM files 127

 For extended-format data sets on z/OS DFSMS adds a 32-byte block suffix to the
physical record. If you specify a block size explicitly (using JCL or ISPF), do not
include the size of this block suffix in the block size. This block suffix is not
available for you to use in your program. DFSMS allocates the space used to read
in the block suffix. However, when you calculate how many blocks of a
extended-format data set will fit on a track of a direct access device, you need to
include the size of the block suffix in the block size.

If you specify a block size larger than 32760 directly on your BLOCK CONTAINS
clause or indirectly with the use of BLOCK CONTAINS n RECORDS, and you do not
meet both the following conditions, the OPEN of the data set fails with file status
code 90:
v You use OS/390 V2R10.0 DFSMS or later.
v You define the data set to be tape.

For existing blocked data sets, it is simplest to:

v Code BLOCK CONTAINS 0 in your source program.
v Code no BLKSIZE value in the ddname definition.

When you omit the BLKSIZE from the ddname definition, the block size is
automatically obtained by the system from the data set label.

Taking advantage of LBI

You can improve the performance of tape data sets by using OS/390 V2R10.0
DFSMS or later, which provides the large block interface (LBI) for large block sizes.
When it is available, the COBOL run time automatically uses this facility for those
tape files for which you use system-determined block size. LBI is also used for
those files for which you explicitly define a block size in JCL or a BLOCK CONTAINS
clause. Use of the LBI allows block sizes to exceed 32760 if the tape device
supports it.

The LBI is not used in all cases. An attempt to use a block size greater than 32760
in the following cases is diagnosed at compile time or results in a failure at OPEN:
v Spanned records
v OPEN I-O

Using a block size that exceeds 32760 might result in your not being able to read
the tape on another system. A tape that you create with a block size greater than
32760 can be read only on an MVS system that uses OS/390 V2R10.0 DFSMS or
later and has a tape device that supports block sizes greater than 32760. If you
specify a block size that is too large for the file, the device, or the operating system
level, a run-time message is issued.

To limit a system-determined block size to 32760, do not specify BLKSIZE anywhere,

and set one of the following to 32760. The block-size limit is the first nonzero value
supplied in the following order of precedence:
1. Specify the BLKSZLIM keyword on your DD statement for the data set.
2. Have your systems programmer set BLKSZLIM for the data class using the
BLKSZLIM keyword.
3. Have your systems programmer set a block-size limit for the system in the
DEVSUPxx member of SYS1.PARMLIB using the keyword TAPEBLKSZLIM.

128 Programming Guide

 If no BLKSIZE or BLKSZLIM value is available from any source, the system limits
BLKSIZE to 32760. You can then enable block sizes larger than 32760 in one of two
ways:
v Specify a BLKSZLIM value greater than 32760 in the DD statement for the file and
use BLOCK CONTAINS 0 in your COBOL source.
v Specify a value greater than 32760 for the BLKSIZE in the DD statement or in the
BLOCK CONTAINS clause in your COBOL source.

BLKSZLIM is device-independent.

Block size and the DCB RECFM subparameter

Under z/OS, you can code the S or T option in the DCB RECFM subparameter:
v Use the S (standard) option in the DCB RECFM subparameter for a format-F record
with only standard blocks (ones that have no truncated blocks or unfilled tracks
in the file, except for the last block of the file). S is also supported for records on
tape. It is ignored if the records are not on DASD or tape.
Using this standard block option might improve input-output performance,
especially for direct access devices.
v The T (track overflow) option for QSAM files is no longer useful.

RELATED TASKS
“Defining QSAM files and records in COBOL” on page 119
z/OS DFSMS: Using Data Sets

RELATED REFERENCE
BLOCK CONTAINS clause (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Coding input and output statements for QSAM files

Code the following input and output statements to process a QSAM file or a
byte-stream file in the HFS using QSAM:
OPEN Makes the file available to your program.
You can open all QSAM files as INPUT, OUTPUT, or EXTEND (depending on
device capabilities).
You can also open QSAM files on direct access storage devices as I-O. You
cannot open HFS files as I-O; you will receive a file status of 37 if you
attempt to do so.
READ Reads a record from the file.
With sequential processing, your program reads one record after another in
the same order in which they were entered when the file was created.
WRITE Creates a record in the file.
Your program writes new records to the end of the file.
REWRITE
Updates a record. You cannot update a file in the HFS using REWRITE.
CLOSE Releases the connection between the file and your program.

RELATED TASKS
“Opening QSAM files” on page 130
“Adding records to QSAM files” on page 131

Chapter 9. Processing QSAM files 129

 “Updating QSAM files” on page 131
“Writing QSAM files to a printer or spooled data set” on page 131
“Closing QSAM files” on page 132

RELATED REFERENCES
OPEN statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
READ statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
WRITE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
REWRITE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
CLOSE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
Status key (Common processing facilities) (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Opening QSAM files

Before your program can use any READ, WRITE, or REWRITE statements to process
records in a file, it must first open the file with an OPEN statement.

An OPEN statement works if both of the following are true:

v The file is available or has been dynamically allocated.
v The fixed file attributes coded in the ddname definition or the data set label for a
file match the attributes coded for that file in the SELECT and FD statements of
your COBOL program.
Mismatches in the file organization attributes, code set, maximum record size, or
record type (fixed or variable) result in a file status code 39, and the OPEN
statement fails. Mismatches in maximum record size and record type are not
considered errors when opening files in the HFS.
For fixed-length QSAM files, when you code RECORD CONTAINS 0 in the FD, the
record size attributes are not in conflict. The record size is taken from the DD
statement or the data set label, and the OPEN statement is successful.

Code CLOSE WITH LOCK so that the file cannot be opened again while the program
is running.

Use the REVERSED option of the OPEN statement to process tape files in reverse order.
Execution of the OPEN statement will then position the file at its end. Subsequent
READ statements read the data records in reverse order, starting with the last record.
The REVERSED option is supported only for files with fixed-length records.

RELATED TASKS
“Dynamically creating QSAM files with CBLQDA”

RELATED REFERENCES
OPEN statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Dynamically creating QSAM files with CBLQDA

A file is considered to be available on z/OS when it has been identified to the
operating system using a DD statement, an export command (an environment
variable), or a TSO ALLOCATE command. (For availability, a DD statement with a
misspelled ddname is equivalent to a missing DD statement; an environment
variable with a value that is not valid is equivalent to an unset variable.)

Sometimes a QSAM file is unavailable on the operating system, but the COBOL
language defines that the file be created. The file is implicitly created for you if
you use the run-time option CBLQDA and one of the following circumstances exists:
v The file is being opened for OUTPUT, regardless of the OPTIONAL phrase.

130 Programming Guide

 v An OPTIONAL file is being opened as EXTEND or I-O.
Optional files are files that are not necessarily present each time the program is
run. You can define files opened in INPUT, I-O, or EXTEND mode as optional by
using the SELECT OPTIONAL phrase in the FILE-CONTROL paragraph.

The file is allocated with the system default attributes established at your
installation and the attributes coded in the SELECT and FD statements in your
program.

Do not confuse this implicit allocation mechanism with the dynamic allocation of
files through the use of environment variables. That explicit dynamic allocation
requires a valid environment variable to be set. This CBLQDA support is used only
when the QSAM file is unavailable as defined above, which includes no valid
environment variable being set.

Under z/OS, files created using the CBLQDA option are temporary data sets and do
not exist after the program has run.

RELATED TASKS
“Opening QSAM files” on page 130

Adding records to QSAM files

To add to a QSAM file, open the file as EXTEND and use the WRITE statement to add
records immediately after the last record in the file.

To add records to a file opened as I-O, you must first close the file and open it as
EXTEND.

RELATED REFERENCES
READ statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
WRITE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Updating QSAM files

You can update QSAM files that reside on direct access storage devices only. You
cannot update files in the HFS.

Replace an existing record with another record of the same length by doing these
steps:
1. Open the file as I-O.
2. Use REWRITE to update an existing record in the file. (The last file processing
statement before REWRITE must have been a successful READ statement.)

| You cannot open as I-O an extended format data set that you allocate in the
| compressed format.

RELATED REFERENCES
REWRITE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Writing QSAM files to a printer or spooled data set

COBOL provides language statements to control the size of a printed page and
control the vertical positioning of records.

Chapter 9. Processing QSAM files 131

 Controlling the page size
Use the LINAGE clause of the FD entry to control the size of your printed page: the
number of lines in the top and bottom margins and in the footing area of the page.
When you use the LINAGE clause, COBOL handles the file as if you had also
requested the ADV compiler option.

If you use the LINAGE clause in combination with WRITE BEFORE/AFTER ADVANCING
nn LINES, be careful about the values you set. With the ADVANCING nn LINES clause,
COBOL first calculates the sum of LINAGE-COUNTER plus nn. Subsequent actions
depend on the size of nn. The END-OF-PAGE imperative statement is performed after
the LINAGE-COUNTER is increased. Consequently, the LINAGE-COUNTER could be
pointing to the next logical page instead of to the current footing area when the
END-OF-PAGE statement is performed.

AT END-OF-PAGE or NOT AT END-OF-PAGE imperative statements are performed only

if the write operation completes successfully. If the write operation is unsuccessful,
control is passed to the end of the WRITE statement, omitting all conditional
phrases.

Controlling the vertical positioning of records

Use the WRITE ADVANCING statement to control the vertical positioning of each
record you write on a printed page.

. . . BEFORE ADVANCING prints the record before the page is advanced.

. . . AFTER ADVANCING prints the record after the page is advanced.

Specify the number of lines the page is advanced with an integer (or an identifier
with a mnemonic-name) following ADVANCING. If you omit the ADVANCING option from
your WRITE statement, you get the equivalent of:
AFTER ADVANCING 1 LINE

RELATED REFERENCES
WRITE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Closing QSAM files

Use the CLOSE statement to disconnect your program from the QSAM file. If you
try to close a file that is already closed, you will get a logic error.

If you do not close a QSAM file, the file is automatically closed for you under the
following conditions, except for files defined in any OS/VS COBOL programs in
the run unit:
v When the run unit ends normally, the run time closes all open files that are
defined in any COBOL programs in the run unit.
v If the run unit ends abnormally and you have set the TRAP(ON) run-time option,
the run time closes all open files that are defined in any COBOL programs in the
run unit.
v When Language Environment condition handling is completed and the
application resumes in a routine other than where the condition occurred, the
run time closes all open files that are defined in any COBOL programs in the
run unit that might be called again and reentered.
You can change the location where the program resumes running (after a
condition is handled) by moving the resume cursor with the Language
Environment CEEMRCR callable service or by using HLL language constructs
such as a C longjmp.

132 Programming Guide

 v When you use CANCEL for a COBOL subprogram, the run time closes any open
nonexternal files that are defined in that program.
v When a COBOL subprogram with the INITIAL attribute returns control, the run
time closes any open nonexternal files that are defined in that program.
v When a thread of a multithreaded application ends, both external and
nonexternal files that you opened from within that same thread are closed.

File status key data items that you define in the WORKING-STORAGE SECTION are set
when these implicit CLOSE operations are performed, but your EXCEPTION/ERROR
and LABEL declaratives are not invoked.

If you open a QSAM file in a multithreaded application, you must close it from the
same thread of execution from which the file was opened. Attempting to close the
file from a different thread results in a close failure with file-status condition 90.

RELATED REFERENCES
CLOSE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Handling errors in QSAM files

When an input-statement or output-statement operation fails, COBOL does not
take corrective action for you. You choose whether or not your program will
continue running after a less-than-severe input or output error occurs.

COBOL provides these ways for you to intercept and handle certain QSAM input
and output errors:
v End of file phrase (AT END)
v EXCEPTION/ERROR declarative
v FILE STATUS clause
v INVALID KEY phrase

If you do not code a FILE STATUS key or a declarative, serious QSAM processing
errors will cause a message to be issued and a Language Environment condition to
be signaled, which will cause an abend if you specify the run-time option
ABTERMENC(ABEND).

If you use the FILE STATUS clause or the EXCEPTION/ERROR declarative, code
EROPT=ACC in the DCB of the DD statement for that file. Otherwise, your COBOL
program will not be able to continue processing after some error conditions.

If you use the FILE STATUS clause, be sure to check the key and take appropriate
action based on its value. If you do not check the key, your program might
continue, but the results will probably not be what you expected.

RELATED TASKS
“Handling errors in input and output operations” on page 223

Working with QSAM files

This section describes:
v “Defining and allocating QSAM files” on page 134
v “Retrieving QSAM files” on page 136
v “Ensuring file attributes match your program” on page 137

Chapter 9. Processing QSAM files 133

 v “Using striped extended-format QSAM data sets” on page 139

RELATED REFERENCES
“Allocation of buffers for QSAM files” on page 140

Defining and allocating QSAM files

You can define a QSAM file or a byte-stream file in the HFS using either a DD
statement or an environment variable. When you use an environment variable, the
name must be in uppercase. Allocation of these files follows the general rules for
the allocation of COBOL files. When you use an environment variable to define a
QSAM file, specify the MVS data set as follows:

DSN(dataset-name) or DSN(dataset-name(member-name)). dataset-name must be fully

qualified and cannot be a temporary data set (that is, it must not start with &).

You can optionally specify the following attributes in any order following the DSN:
v A disposition value, one of: NEW, OLD, SHR, or MOD
v TRACKS or CYL
v SPACE(nnn,mmm)
v VOL(volume-serial)
v UNIT(type)
v KEEP, DELETE, CATALOG, or UNCATALOG
v STORCLAS(storage-class)
v MGMTCLAS(management-class)
v DATACLAS(data-class)

You can use either an environment variable or a DD definition to define a file in the
HFS. To do this, define one of the following with a name that matches the external
name on your ASSIGN clause:
v A DD allocation that uses PATH=’absolute-path-name’ and FILEDATA=BINARY
v An environment variable with a value PATH(pathname), where pathname is an
absolute path name (starting with /).

For compatibility with releases of COBOL before COBOL for OS/390 & VM
Version 2 Release 2, you can also specify FILEDATA=TEXT when using a DD allocation
for HFS files, but this use is not recommended. To process text files in the HFS, use
LINE SEQUENTIAL organization. If you do use QSAM to process text files in the HFS,
you cannot use environment variables to define the files.

When you define a QSAM file, use the specified parameters to do the following:

What you want to do DD parameter to use EV keyword to use

Name the file DSNAME (data set name) DSN
Select the type and quantity of UNIT UNIT for type only
input-output devices to be
allocated for the file.
Give instructions for the volume in VOLUME, or let the system VOL
which the file will reside and for choose an output volume.
volume mounting.

134 Programming Guide

What you want to do DD parameter to use EV keyword to use
Allocate the type and amount of SPACE SPACE for the amount of
space the file needs. (For direct space (primary and
access storage devices only.) secondary only); TRACKS
or CYL for the type of
space
Specify the type (and some of the LABEL n/a
contents of) the label associated
with the file.
Indicate whether you want to DISP NEW, OLD, SHR, MOD plus
catalog, pass, or keep the file after KEEP, DELETE, CATALOG, or
the job step is completed. UNCATALOG
Complete any data control block DCB subparameters n/a
information that you want to add.

Some of the information about the QSAM file must always be coded in the
FILE-CONTROL entry, the FD entry, and other COBOL clauses. Other information
must be coded in the DD statement or environment variable for output files. For
input files, the system can obtain information from the file label (for standard label
files). If DCB information is provided in the DD statement for input files, it overrides
information on the data set label. For example, the amount of space allocated for a
new direct-access device file can be set in the DD statement by the SPACE parameter.

You cannot express certain characteristics of QSAM files in the COBOL language,
but you can code them in the DD statement for the file using the DCB parameter. Use
the subparameters of the DCB parameter to provide information that the system
needs for completing the data set definition, including the following:
v Block size (BLKSIZE=), if BLOCK CONTAINS 0 RECORDS was coded at compile time
(which is recommended)
v Options to be executed if an error occurs in reading or writing a record
v TRACK OVERFLOW or standard blocks
v Mode of operation for a card reader or punch

DCB attributes coded for a DD DUMMY do not override those coded in the FD entry of
your COBOL program.

RELATED TASKS
“Setting block sizes” on page 127
“Defining QSAM files and records in COBOL” on page 119
“Allocating files” on page 117

RELATED REFERENCES
“Parameters for creating QSAM files”
MVS JCL Reference

Parameters for creating QSAM files

The following DD statement parameters are frequently used to create QSAM files.

Chapter 9. Processing QSAM files 135

 RELATED TASKS
“Defining and allocating QSAM files” on page 134

Retrieving QSAM files

You retrieve QSAM files, cataloged or not, by using job control statements or
environment variables.
Cataloged files
All data set information, such as volume and space, is stored in the catalog
and file label. All you have to code are the data set name and a
disposition. When you use a DD statement, this is the DSNAME parameter and
the DISP parameter. When you use an environment variable, this is the DSN
parameter and one of the parameters OLD, SHR, or MOD.
Noncataloged files
Some information is stored in the file label, but you must code the unit
and volume information as well as the dsname and disposition.

If you are using JCL, and you created the file in the current job step or in a
previous job step in the current job, you can refer to the previous DD statement for
most of the data set information. You do, however, need to code DSNAME and DISP.

RELATED REFERENCES
“Parameters for retrieving QSAM files”

Parameters for retrieving QSAM files

The following DD statement parameters are used to retrieve previously created files.

136 Programming Guide

 RELATED TASKS
“Retrieving QSAM files” on page 136

Ensuring file attributes match your program

When the fixed file attributes coded in the DD statement or the data set label for a
file and the attributes coded for that file in the SELECT and FD statements of your
COBOL program are not consistent, an OPEN statement in your program might not
work. Mismatches in the attributes for file organization, record format (fixed or
variable), record length, or the code set result in a file status code 39, and the OPEN
statement fails. An exception exists for files in the HFS: mismatches in record
format and record length do not cause an error.

To prevent common file status 39 problems, follow the guidelines listed below for
processing files that are existing, new, or dynamically created by COBOL.

Remember that information in the JCL or environment variable overrides

information in the data set label.

Processing existing files

When your program processes an existing file, code the description of the file in
your COBOL program to be consistent with the file attributes of the data set. Use
these guidelines to define the maximum record length.

For this format Specify this

V or S Exactly 4 bytes smaller than the length attribute of the data set
F Same as the length attribute of the data set
U Same as the length attribute of the data set

Defining variable-length (format-V) records

The easiest way to define variable-length records in your program is to use RECORD
IS VARYING FROM integer-1 TO integer-2 in the FD entry and set an appropriate value

Chapter 9. Processing QSAM files 137

 for integer-2. For example, assume that you have determined the length attribute of
the data set to be 104 (LRECL=104). Remembering that the maximum record length
is determined from the RECORD IS VARYING clause (in which values are set) and not
from the level-01 record descriptions, you could define a format-V file in your
program with this code:
FILE SECTION.
FD COMMUTER-FILE-MST
RECORDING MODE IS V
RECORD IS VARYING FROM 4 TO 100 CHARACTERS.
01 COMMUTER-RECORD-A PIC X(4).
01 COMMUTER-RECORD-B PIC X(75).

Defining format-U records

Assume that the existing file in the previous example was format-U instead of
format-V. If the 104 bytes are all user data, you could define the file in your
program with this code:
FILE SECTION.
FD COMMUTER-FILE-MST
RECORDING MODE IS U
RECORD IS VARYING FROM 4 TO 104 CHARACTERS.
01 COMMUTER-RECORD-A PIC X(4).
01 COMMUTER-RECORD-B PIC X(75).

Defining fixed-length records

To define fixed-length records in your program, use either the RECORD CONTAINS
integer clause, or omit this clause and code all level-01 record descriptions to be the
same fixed size. In either case, use a value that equals the value of the length
attribute of the data set. When you intend to use the same program to process
different files at run time and the files have differing fixed-length record lengths,
the recommended way to avoid record-length conflicts is to code RECORD CONTAINS
0.

If the existing file is an ASCII data set (DCB=(OPTCD=Q)), you must use the CODE-SET
clause in the program’s FD entry for the file.

Processing new files

When your COBOL program will write records to a new file that is made available
before the program is run, ensure that the file attributes you code in the DD
statement, the environment variable, or the allocation do not conflict with the
attributes you have coded in your program. Usually, you need to code only a
minimum of parameters when predefining your files.

When you do need to explicitly set a length attribute for the data set (for example,
you are using an ISPF allocation panel or if your DD statement is for a batch job in
which the program uses RECORD CONTAINS 0):
v For format-V and format-S files, set a length attribute that is 4 bytes larger than
that defined in the program.
v For format-F and format-U files, set a length attribute that is the same as that
defined in the program.
v If you open your file as OUTPUT and write it to a printer, the compiler might add
1 byte to the record length to account for the carriage control character,
depending on the ADV compiler option and the COBOL language used in your
program. In such a case, take the added byte into account when coding the
LRECL.

For example, suppose your program contains the following code for a file with
variable-length records:

138 Programming Guide

 FILE SECTION.
FD COMMUTER-FILE-MST
RECORDING MODE IS V
RECORD CONTAINS 10 TO 50 CHARACTERS.
01 COMMUTER-RECORD-A PIC X(10).
01 COMMUTER-RECORD-B PIC X(50).

The LRECL in your DD statement or allocation should be 54.

Processing files dynamically created by COBOL

When you have not made a file available with a DD statement or a TSO ALLOCATE
command and your COBOL program defines that the file be created, Enterprise
COBOL dynamically allocates the file. When the file is opened, the file attributes
coded in your program are used. You do not have to worry about file attribute
conflicts.

RELATED TASKS
“Requesting fixed-length format” on page 121
“Requesting variable-length format” on page 122
“Requesting undefined format” on page 126
“Dynamically creating QSAM files with CBLQDA” on page 130

Using striped extended-format QSAM data sets

A striped extended-format QSAM data set is an extended-format QSAM data set
that is spread over multiple volumes, allowing parallel data access.

Striped extended-format QSAM data sets can benefit an application with these
characteristics:
v The application processes files that contain large volumes of data.
v The time for the input and output operations to the files significantly affects
overall performance.

For you to gain the maximum benefit from using QSAM striped data sets, DFSMS
needs to be able to allocate the required number of buffers above the 16-MB line.

When you develop applications that contain files allocated to QSAM striped data
sets, follow these guidelines:
v Avoid using a QSAM striped data set for a file that cannot have buffers
allocated above the 16-MB line.
v Omit the RESERVE clause in the FILE-CONTROL paragraph entry for the file.
Omitting the RESERVE clause allows DFSMS to determine the optimum number
of buffers for the data set.
v Compile your program with the DATA(31) and RENT compiler options, and make
the load module AMODE 31.
v Specify the ALL31(ON) run-time option if the file is an EXTERNAL file with
format-F, format-V, or format-U records.

Notice that all striped data sets are extended format data sets, but not all extended
format data sets are striped.

RELATED TASKS
z/OS DFSMS: Using Data Sets (performance considerations)

RELATED REFERENCES
“Allocation of buffers for QSAM files” on page 140

Chapter 9. Processing QSAM files 139

 Allocation of buffers for QSAM files
DFSMS automatically allocates buffers for storing input and output for QSAM files
above or below the 16-MB line as appropriate for the file being used. Most QSAM
files have buffers allocated above the 16-MB line. Exceptions are:
v Programs running in AMODE 24.
v Programs compiled with the DATA(24) and RENT options.
v Programs compiled with the NORENT and RMODE(24) options.
v Programs compiled with the NORENT and RMODE(AUTO) options.
v EXTERNAL files, when the ALL31(OFF) run-time option is being specified. To
specify the ALL31(ON) run-time option, all programs in the run unit must be
capable of running in 31-bit addressing mode.
v Files allocated to the TSO terminal.
v A file with format-S (spanned) records, if the file is any of the following:
– An EXTERNAL file (even if the ALL31(ON) option is specified)
– A file specified in a SAME RECORD AREA clause of the I-O-CONTROL paragraph
– A blocked file that is opened I-O and updated using the REWRITE statement

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Storage and its addressability” on page 33

RELATED TASKS
“Using striped extended-format QSAM data sets” on page 139

Accessing HFS files using QSAM

You can process byte-stream files in the hierarchical file system (HFS) as
ORGANIZATION SEQUENTIAL files using QSAM. To do this, specify as the
assignment-name on the ASSIGN clause one of the following:
ddname
A DD allocation that identifies the file with the keywords PATH= and
FILEDATA=BINARY
Environment variable name
An environment variable with the run-time value of the HFS path for the
file

Observe the following restrictions:

v Spanned record format is not supported.
v OPEN I-O and REWRITE are not supported. If you attempt one of these operations,
you will get the following file status conditions:
– 37 from OPEN I-O
– 47 from REWRITE (because you could not have successfully opened the file as
I-O)

Usage notes
v File status 39 (fixed file attribute conflict) is not enforced for either of the
following:
– Record-length conflict
– Record-type conflict (fixed versus variable)
v A READ returns the number of bytes equal to that of the maximum logical record
size for the file except for the last record, which might be shorter.

140 Programming Guide

 For example, suppose your file definition has 01 record descriptions of 3, 5, and
10 bytes long, and you write the following three records: ’abc’, ’defgh’, and
’ijklmnopqr’, in that order. Your first READ of this file returns ’abcdefghij’, your
second READ returns ’klmnopqr ’, and your third READ results in the AT END
condition.

For compatibility with releases of IBM COBOL before COBOL for OS/390 & VM
Version 2 Release 2, you can also specify FILEDATA=TEXT when using a DD allocation
for HFS files, but this use is not recommended. To process text files in the HFS, use
the LINE SEQUENTIAL organization. If you use QSAM to process text files in the
HFS, you cannot use environment variables to define the files.

RELATED TASKS
“Allocating files” on page 117
“Defining and allocating QSAM files” on page 134
Accessing HFS files via BSAM and QSAM (z/OS DFSMS: Using Data Sets)

Labels for QSAM files

You can use labels to identify magnetic tape and direct access volumes and data
sets. The operating system uses label processing routines to identify and verify
labels and locate volumes and data sets.

There are two kinds of labels: standard and nonstandard. IBM Enterprise COBOL
for z/OS and OS/390 does not support nonstandard user labels. In addition,
standard user labels contain user-specified information about the associated data
set.

Standard labels consist of volume labels and groups of data set labels. Volume
labels precede or follow data on the volume, and identify and describe the volume.
The data set labels precede or follow each data set on the volume, and identify and
describe the data set.
v The data set labels that precede the data set are called header labels.
v The data set labels that follow the data set are called trailer labels.
They are similar to the header labels, except that they also contain a count of
blocks in the data set.
v The data set label groups can optionally include standard user labels.
v The volume label groups can optionally include standard user labels.

RELATED TASKS
“Using trailer and header labels”

RELATED REFERENCES
“Format of standard labels” on page 143

Using trailer and header labels

You can create, examine, or update user labels when the beginning or end of a
data set or volume (reel) is reached. End-of-volume or beginning-of-volume exits
are allowed. You can also create or examine intermediate trailers and headers.

You can create, examine, or update up to eight header labels and eight trailer
labels on each volume of the data set. (QSAM EXTEND works in a manner identical
to OUTPUT except that the beginning-of-file label is not processed.) Labels reside on
the initial volume of a multivolume data set. This volume must be mounted as

Chapter 9. Processing QSAM files 141

 CLOSE if trailer labels are to be created, examined, or updated. Trailer labels for files
opened as INPUT or I-O are processed when a CLOSE statement is performed for the
file that has reached an AT END condition.

If you code a header or trailer with the wrong position number, the result is
unpredictable. (Data management might force the label to the correct relative
position.)

When you use standard label processing, code the label type of the standard and
user labels (SUL) on the DD statement that describes the data set.

Getting a user-label track

If you use a LABEL subparameter of SUL for direct access volumes, a separate
user-label track will be allocated when the data set is created. This additional track
is allocated at initial allocation and for sequential data sets at end-of-volume
(volume switch). The user-label track (one per volume of a sequential data set) will
contain both user header and user trailer labels. If a LABEL name is referenced
outside the user LABEL declarative, results are unpredictable.

Handling user labels

The USE AFTER LABEL declarative provides procedures for handling user labels on
supported files. The AFTER option indicates processing of standard user labels.

List the labels as data-names in the LABEL RECORDS clause in the FD entry for the file.

When the file is

opened as: And: Result:
INPUT USE . . . LABEL declarative is The label is read and control is
coded for the OPEN option or for passed to the LABEL declarative.
the file.
OUTPUT USE . . . LABEL declarative is A buffer area for the label is
coded for the OPEN option or for provided and control is passed to
the file. the LABEL declarative.
INPUT or I-O CLOSE statement is performed Control is passed to the LABEL
for the file that has reached the declarative for processing trailer
AT END condition. labels.

You can specify a special exit by using the statement GO TO MORE-LABELS. When
this statement results in an exit from a label DECLARATIVE SECTION, the system does
one of the following:
v Writes the current beginning or ending label and then reenters the USE section at
its beginning to create more labels. After creating the last label, the system exits
by performing the last statement of the section.
v Reads an additional beginning or ending label, and then reenters the USE section
at its beginning to check more labels. When processing user labels, the system
reenters the section only if there is another user label to check. Hence, a program
path that flows through the last statement in the section is not needed.

If a GO TO MORE-LABELS statement is not performed for a user label, the

DECLARATIVE SECTION is not reentered to check or create any immediately
succeeding user labels.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Labels for QSAM files” on page 141

142 Programming Guide

 Format of standard labels
Standard labels are 80-character records that are recorded in EBCDIC or ASCII. The
first four characters are always used to identify the labels. The figure below shows
these identifiers for tape.

Identifier Description
VOL1 Volume label
HDR1 or HDR2 Data set header labels
EOV1 or EOV2 Data set trailer labels (end-of-volume)
EOF1 or EOF2 Data set trailer labels (end-of-data-set)
UHL1 to UHL8 User header labels
UTL1 to UTL8 User trailer labels

The format of the label for a direct-access volume is the almost the same as the
format of the label group for a tape volume label group. The difference is that a
data set label of the initial DASTO volume label consists of the data set control
block (DSCB). The DSCB appears in the volume table of contents (VTOC) and
contains the equivalent of the tape data set header and trailer, in addition to
control information such as space allocation.

Standard user labels

User labels are optional within the standard label groups.

The format used for user header labels (UHL1-8) and user trailer labels (UTL1-8)
consists of a label 80 characters in length recorded in either:
v EBCDIC on DASD or on IBM standard labeled tapes, or
v ASCII on ISO/ANSI labeled tapes

The first 3 bytes consist of the characters that identify the label as either:
v UHL for a user header label (at the beginning of a data set), or
v UTL for a user trailer label (at the end-of-volume or end-of-data set)

The next byte contains the relative position of this label within a set of labels of the
same type. One through eight labels are permitted.

The remaining 76 bytes consist of user-specified information.

Standard user labels are not supported for QSAM striped data sets.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Labels for QSAM files” on page 141

Processing QSAM ASCII files on tape

If your program processes an QSAM ASCII file, do the following:
1. Request the ASCII alphabet.
2. Define the record formats.
3. Define the ddname (with JCL).

In addition, if your program processes numeric data items from ASCII files, use the
separately signed numeric data type (SIGN IS LEADING SEPARATE).

Chapter 9. Processing QSAM files 143

 The CODEPAGE compiler option has no effect on the code page used for conversions
between ASCII and EBCDIC for ASCII tape support. See the z/OS DFSMS
documentation for information about how CCSIDs used for the ASCII tape support
are selected and what the default CCSIDs are.

Requesting the ASCII alphabet

In the SPECIAL-NAMES paragraph, code STANDARD-1 for ASCII:
ALPHABET-NAME IS STANDARD-1

In the FD statement for the file, code:

CODE-SET IS ALPHABET-NAME

Defining the record formats

Process QSAM ASCII tape files with any of these record formats:
v Fixed length (format F)
v Undefined (format U)
v Variable length (format V)

If you are using variable-length records, you cannot explicitly code format D;
instead, code RECORDING MODE V. The format information is internally converted to
D mode. D-mode records have a 4-byte record descriptor for each record.

Defining the ddname

Under z/OS, processing ASCII files requires special JCL coding. Code these
subparameters of the DCB parameter in the DD statement:
BUFOFF=[L|n]
L A 4-byte block prefix that contains the block length (including the
block prefix).
n The length of the block prefix:
v For input, from 0 through 99
v For output, either 0 or 4

Use this value if you coded BLOCK CONTAINS 0.

BLKSIZE=n
n The size of the block, including the length of the block prefix.

LABEL=[AL|AUL|NL]
AL American National Standard (ANS) labels.
AUL ANS and user labels.
NL No labels.

OPTCD=Q
Q This value is required for ASCII files and is the default if the file is
created using Enterprise COBOL.

144 Programming Guide

 RELATED TASKS
“Processing ASCII file labels”
Converting Character Data (z/OS DFSMS: Using Data Sets)

Processing ASCII file labels

Standard label processing for ASCII files is the same as standard label processing
for EBCDIC files. The system translates ASCII code into EBCDIC before processing.

All ANS user labels are optional. ASCII files can have user header labels (UHLn)
and user trailer labels (UTLn). There is no limit to the number of user labels at the
beginning and the end of a file; you can write as many labels as you need. All user
labels must be 80 bytes in length.

To create or verify user labels (user label exit), code a USE AFTER STANDARD LABEL
procedure. You cannot use USE BEFORE STANDARD LABEL procedures.

ASCII files on tape can have:

v ANS labels
v ANS and user labels
v No labels

Any labels on an ASCII tape must be in ASCII code only. Tapes containing a
combination of ASCII and EBCDIC cannot be read.

RELATED TASKS
“Processing QSAM ASCII files on tape” on page 143

Chapter 9. Processing QSAM files 145

146 Programming Guide
Chapter 10. Processing VSAM files
Virtual storage access method (VSAM) is an access method for files on
direct-access storage devices. With VSAM you can:
v Load a file
v Retrieve records from a file
v Update a file
v Add, replace, and delete records in a file

VSAM processing has these advantages over QSAM:

v Protection of data against unauthorized access
v Compatibility across systems
v Independence of devices (no need to be concerned with block size and other
control information)
v Simpler JCL (information needed by the system is provided in integrated
catalogs)
v Ability to use indexed file organization or relative file organization

The lists below show how VSAM terms differ from COBOL terms and other terms
that you might be familiar with.

VSAM term COBOL term Similar non-VSAM term

Data set File Data set
Entry-sequenced data set (ESDS) Sequential file QSAM data set
Key-sequenced data set (KSDS) Indexed file ISAM data set
Relative-record data set (RRDS) Relative file BDAM data set
Control interval size (CISZ) Block size
Buffers (BUFNI/BUFND) BUFNO
Access method control block (ACB) Data control block (DCB)
Cluster (CL) Data set
Cluster definition Data set allocation
AMP parameter of JCL DD statement DCB parameter of JCL DD statement
Record size Record length

The term file in this VSAM information refers to either a COBOL file or a VSAM
data set.

If you have complex requirements or frequently use VSAM, review the VSAM
publications for your operating system.

RELATED TASKS
“Defining VSAM file organization and records” on page 149
“Coding input and output statements for VSAM files” on page 155
“Protecting VSAM files with a password” on page 164
“Handling errors in VSAM files” on page 163
“Working with VSAM data sets under z/OS and UNIX” on page 165
“Improving VSAM performance” on page 171

RELATED REFERENCES
z/OS DFSMS: Using Data Sets

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 147

 z/OS DFSMS Macro Instructions for Data Sets
z/OS DFSMS: Access Method Services for Catalogs

VSAM files
The physical organization of VSAM data sets differs considerably from those used
by other access methods. VSAM data sets are held in control intervals and control
areas (CA). The size of these is normally determined by the access method, and the
way in which they are used is not visible to you.

You can use three types of file organization with VSAM.

VSAM sequential file organization
(Also referred to as VSAM ESDS (entry-sequenced data set) organization.)
In VSAM sequential file organization, the records are stored in the order in
which they were entered. VSAM entry-sequenced data sets are equivalent
to QSAM sequential files. The order of the records is fixed.
VSAM indexed file organization
(Also referred to as VSAM KSDS (key-sequenced data set) organization.) In
a VSAM indexed file (KSDS), the records are ordered according to the
collating sequence of an embedded prime key field, which you define. The
prime key consists of one or more consecutive characters in the records.
The prime key uniquely identifies the record and determines the sequence
in which it is accessed with respect to other records. A prime key for a
record might be, for example, an employee number or an invoice number.
VSAM relative file organization
(Also referred to as VSAM fixed-length or variable-length RRDS
(relative-record data set) organization.) A VSAM relative-record data set
(RRDS) contains records ordered by their relative key. The relative key is
the relative record number that represents the location of the record
relative to where the file begins. The relative record number identifies the
fixed- or variable-length record.
In a VSAM fixed-length RRDS, records are placed in a series of
fixed-length slots in storage. Each slot is associated with a relative record
number. For example, in a fixed-length RRDS containing 10 slots, the first
slot has a relative record number of 1, and the tenth slot has a relative
record number of 10.
In a VSAM variable-length RRDS, the records are ordered according to
their relative record number. Records are stored and retrieved according to
the relative record number that you set.
Throughout this documentation, the term VSAM relative-record data set (or
RRDS) is used to mean both relative-record data sets with fixed-length
records and with variable-length records, unless they need to be
differentiated.

The following table compares the different types of VSAM data sets in terms of
several characteristics.

Entry-sequenced data set Key-sequenced data set Relative-record data set

Characteristic (ESDS) (KSDS) (RRDS)
Order of records Order in which they are Collating sequence by key Order of relative record
written field number

148 Programming Guide

 Entry-sequenced data set Key-sequenced data set Relative-record data set
Characteristic (ESDS) (KSDS) (RRDS)
Access Sequential By key through an index By relative record number,
which is handled like a key
Alternate indexes Can have one or more Can have one or more Cannot have alternate indexes
alternate indexes, although alternate indexes
not supported in COBOL
Relative byte RBA cannot change. RBA can change. RRN cannot change.
address (RBA) and
relative record
number (RRN) of a
record
Space for adding Uses space at the end of the Uses distributed free space For fixed-length RRDS, uses
records data set for inserting records and empty slots in the data set
changing their lengths in
place For variable-length RRDS, uses
distributed free space and
changes the lengths of added
records in place
Space from deleting You cannot delete a record, Space from a deleted or Space from a deleted record
records but you can reuse its space shortened record is can be reused.
for a record of the same automatically reclaimed in a
length. control interval.
Spanned records Can have spanned records Can have spanned records Cannot have spanned records
Reuse as work file Can be reused unless it has Can be reused unless it has Can be reused
an alternate index, is an alternate index, is
associated with key ranges, or associated with key ranges, or
exceeds 123 extents per exceeds 123 extents per
volume volume

RELATED TASKS
“Specifying sequential organization for VSAM files” on page 150
“Specifying indexed organization for VSAM files” on page 150
“Specifying relative organization for VSAM files” on page 151
“Defining VSAM files” on page 165

Defining VSAM file organization and records

Use the FILE-CONTROL entry in the ENVIRONMENT DIVISION to define the VSAM file
organization and access modes for the files in your COBOL program.

In the FILE SECTION of the DATA DIVISION, code a file description (FD) entry for the
file. In the associated record description entry or entries, define the record-name and
record length. Code the logical size of the records with the RECORD clause.

Important: You can process VSAM data sets in Enterprise COBOL programs only
after you define them with access method services.

The following table summarizes VSAM file organization, access modes, and record
formats (fixed or variable length).

Chapter 10. Processing VSAM files 149

 Sequential Random Dynamic Fixed Variable
File organization access access access length length
VSAM sequential Yes No No Yes Yes
(ESDS)
VSAM indexed Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
(KSDS)
VSAM relative Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
(RRDS)

RELATED TASKS
“Specifying sequential organization for VSAM files”
“Specifying indexed organization for VSAM files”
“Specifying relative organization for VSAM files” on page 151
“Using file status keys” on page 228
“Using VSAM return codes (VSAM files only)” on page 229
“Defining VSAM files” on page 165
“Specifying access modes for VSAM files” on page 153

Specifying sequential organization for VSAM files

Identify VSAM ESDS files in your COBOL program with the ORGANIZATION IS
SEQUENTIAL clause.

You can access (read or write) records in sequential files only sequentially.

After you place a record in the file, you cannot shorten, lengthen, or delete it.
However, you can update (REWRITE) a record if the length does not change. New
records are added at the end of the file.

The following example shows typical FILE-CONTROL entries for a VSAM sequential
file (ESDS):
SELECT S-FILE
ASSIGN TO SEQUENTIAL-AS-FILE
ORGANIZATION IS SEQUENTIAL
ACCESS IS SEQUENTIAL
FILE STATUS IS FSTAT-CODE VSAM-CODE.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“VSAM files” on page 148

Specifying indexed organization for VSAM files

Identify VSAM KSDS in your COBOL program with the ORGANIZATION IS INDEXED
clause.

Code a prime key for the record by using the clause:

RECORD KEY IS data-name

Here data-name is the name of the key field as you defined it in the record
description entry in the DATA DIVISION. The collation of index record keys is based
on the binary value of the key, regardless of the class or the category of the key.

The following example shows the statements for a VSAM indexed file (KSDS) that
is accessed dynamically. In addition to the primary key, COMMUTER-NO, there is an
alternate key, LOCATION-NO:

150 Programming Guide

 SELECT I-FILE
ASSIGN TO INDEXED-FILE
ORGANIZATION IS INDEXED
ACCESS IS DYNAMIC
RECORD KEY IS IFILE-RECORD-KEY
ALTERNATE RECORD KEY IS IFILE-ALTREC-KEY
FILE STATUS IS FSTAT-CODE VSAM-CODE.

Alternate keys
In addition to the primary key, you can also code one or more alternate keys to use
for retrieving records. Using alternate keys, you can access the indexed file to read
records in some sequence other than the prime key sequence. For example, you
could access the file through employee department rather than through employee
number. Alternate keys need not be unique. More than one record will be accessed,
given a department number as a key. This is permitted if alternate keys are coded
to allow duplicates.

You define the alternate key in your COBOL program with the ALTERNATE RECORD
KEY clause:
ALTERNATE RECORD KEY IS data-name

Here data-name is the name of the key field as you defined it in the record
description entry in the DATA DIVISION. The collation of alternate keys is based on
the binary value of the key, regardless of the class or the category of the key.

Alternate index
To use an alternate index, you need to define a data set (using access method
services) called the alternate index (AIX). The AIX contains one record for each
value of a given alternate key; the records are in sequential order by alternate key
value. Each record contains the corresponding primary keys of all records in the
associated indexed files that contain the alternate key value.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“VSAM files” on page 148

RELATED TASKS
“Creating alternate indexes” on page 166

Specifying relative organization for VSAM files

Identify VSAM RRDS files in your COBOL program with the ORGANIZATION IS
RELATIVE clause.

Use the RELATIVE KEY IS clause to associate each logical record with its relative
record number.

The following example shows a relative-record data set (RRDS) that is accessed
randomly by the value in the relative key ITEM-NO:
SELECT R-FILE
ASSIGN TO RELATIVE-FILE
ORGANIZATION IS RELATIVE
ACCESS IS RANDOM
RELATIVE KEY IS RFILE-RELATIVE-KEY
FILE STATUS IS FSTAT-CODE VSAM-CODE.

You can use a randomizing routine to associate a key value in each record with the
relative record number for that record. Although there are many techniques to
convert a record key to a relative record number, the most commonly used
randomizing algorithm is the division/remainder technique. With this technique,

Chapter 10. Processing VSAM files 151

 you divide the key by a value equal to the number of slots in the data set to
produce a quotient and remainder. When you add one to the remainder, the result
will be a valid relative record number.

Alternate indexes are not supported for VSAM RRDS.

Fixed-length and variable-length RRDS

In an RRDS with fixed-length records, each record occupies one slot, and you store
and retrieve records according to the relative record number of that slot. When you
load the file, you have the option of skipping over slots and leaving them empty.

When you load an RRDS with variable-length records, you can skip over relative
record numbers. Unlike fixed-length RRDS, a variable-length RRDS does not have
slots. Instead, the free space that you define allows for more efficient record
insertions.

VSAM variable-length RRDS is supported on OS/390 and z/OS.

Simulating variable-length RRDS

Use VSAM variable-length RRDS when possible. But if you cannot use the VSAM
support, Enterprise COBOL provides another way for you to have relative-record
data sets with variable-length records. This support, called COBOL simulated
variable-length RRDS, is provided by the SIMVRD|NOSIMVRD run-time option. When
you use the SIMVRD option, Enterprise COBOL simulates variable-length RRDS
using a VSAM KSDS.

The coding that you use in your COBOL program to identify and describe VSAM
variable-length RRDS and COBOL simulated variable-length RRDS is similar. How
you use the SIMVRD run-time option and whether you define the VSAM file as a
RRDS or KSDS differs, however.

To use a variable-length RRDS, do the following steps, depending on whether you

want to simulate an RRDS:

Step VSAM variable-length RRDS COBOL simulated variable-length RRDS

1 Define the file in your COBOL Same
program with the
ORGANIZATION IS RELATIVE
clause.
2 Use FD statements in your Same, but you must also code RECORD IS
COBOL program to describe VARYING on the FD statements of every COBOL
the records with program that accesses the data set.
variable-length sizes.
3 Use the NOSIMVRD run-time Use the SIMVRD run-time option.
option.
4 Define the VSAM file through Define the VSAM file through access method
access method services as an services as follows:
RRDS. DEFINE CLUSTER INDEXED
KEYS(4,0)
RECORDSIZE(avg,m)
where:
avg Is the average size of the COBOL
records; strictly less than m.
m Is greater than or equal to the
maximum size COBOL record + 4.

152 Programming Guide

 In step 2 for simulated variable-length RRDS, coding other language elements that
imply a variable-length record format does not give you COBOL simulated
variable-length RRDS. For example, these clauses alone do not give you correct file
access:
v Multiple FD records of different lengths
v OCCURS . . . DEPENDING ON in the record definitions
v RECORD CONTAINS integer-1 TO integer-2 CHARACTERS

When you define the cluster in step 4 for simulated variable-length RRDS, observe
these restrictions:
v Do not define an alternate index.
v Do not specify a KEYRANGE.
v Do not specify SPANNED.

Also, use the REUSE parameter when you open for output a file that contains
records.

Errors: When you work with simulated variable-length relative data sets and true
VSAM RRDS data sets, you get an OPEN file status 39 if your COBOL file definition
and the VSAM data set attributes do not match.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“VSAM files” on page 148

RELATED TASKS
“Defining VSAM files” on page 165

Specifying access modes for VSAM files

You can access records in VSAM sequential files only sequentially. You can access
records in VSAM indexed and relative files in three ways: sequentially, randomly,
or dynamically.

For sequential access, code ACCESS IS SEQUENTIAL in the FILE-CONTROL entry.

Records in indexed files are then accessed in the order of the key field selected
(either primary or alternate). Records in relative files are accessed in the order of
the relative record numbers.

For random access, code ACCESS IS RANDOM in the FILE-CONTROL entry. Records in
indexed files are then accessed according to the value you place in a key field.
Records in relative files are accessed according to the value you place in the
relative key.

For dynamic access, code ACCESS IS DYNAMIC in the FILE-CONTROL entry. Dynamic
access is a mixed sequential-random access in the same program. Using dynamic
access, you can write one program to perform both sequential and random
processing, accessing some records in sequential order and others by their keys.

“Example: using dynamic access with VSAM files” on page 154

RELATED TASKS
“Reading records from a VSAM file” on page 159

Chapter 10. Processing VSAM files 153

 Example: using dynamic access with VSAM files
Suppose that you have an indexed file of employee records and the employee’s
hourly wage forms the record key. Your program is processing those employees
who earn between $10.00 and $12.00 per hour and those who earn $20.00 per hour
and above.

Using dynamic access of VSAM files, the program would do as follows:

1. Retrieve the first record randomly (with a random-retrieval READ) based on the
key of 1000.
2. Read sequentially (using READ NEXT) until the salary field exceeds 1200.
3. Retrieve the next record randomly, this time based on a key of 2000.
4. Read sequentially until the end of the file.

RELATED TASKS
“Reading records from a VSAM file” on page 159

Defining record lengths for VSAM files

VSAM records can be fixed or variable in length. COBOL determines the record
format from the RECORD clause and the record descriptions associated with your FD
entry for the file.

Because the concept of blocking has no meaning for VSAM files, you can omit the
BLOCK CONTAINS clause. The clause is syntax-checked, but it has no effect on how
the program runs.

Defining fixed-length records

To define the records to be fixed length, use one of the following coding options:

Clause
RECORD clause format Record length Comments
Code RECORD CONTAINS 1 Fixed in size with a The lengths of the
integer. length of integer-2 level-01 record
description entries
associated with the file
do not matter.
Omit the RECORD clause, The fixed size that you
but code all level-01 coded
records (associated with
the file) as the same size
and none with an OCCURS
DEPENDING ON clause.

Defining variable-length records

To define the records to be variable-length, use one of the following coding
options:

Clause
RECORD clause format Maximum record length Comments
Code RECORD IS VARYING 3 integer-2 value The lengths of the
FROM integer-1 TO integer-2. level-01 record
description entries
associated with the file
do not matter.

154 Programming Guide

 Clause
RECORD clause format Maximum record length Comments
Code RECORD IS VARYING. 3 Size of the largest level-01 The compiler determines
record description entry the maximum record
associated with the file length.
Code RECORD CONTAINS 2 integer-2 value The minimum record
integer-1 TO integer-2. length is the integer-1
value.
Omit the RECORD clause, Size of the largest level-01 The compiler determines
but code multiple level-01 record description entry the maximum record
records (associated with associated with the file length.
the file) that are of
different sizes or that
contain an OCCURS
DEPENDING ON clause.

When you specify a READ INTO statement for a format-V file, the record size read
for that file is used in the MOVE statement generated by the compiler. Consequently,
you might not get the result you expect if the record read in does not correspond
to the level-01 record description. All other rules of the MOVE statement apply. For
example, when you specify a MOVE statement for a format-V record read in by the
READ statement, the size of the record corresponds to its level-01 record description.

RELATED TASKS
Enterprise COBOL Compiler and Run-Time Migration Guide

Coding input and output statements for VSAM files

Use these COBOL statements for processing VSAM files:
OPEN To connect the VSAM data set to your COBOL program for processing.
WRITE To add records to a file or load a file.
START To establish the current location in the cluster for a READ NEXT statement.
START does not retrieve a record; it only sets the current record pointer.
READ and READ NEXT
To retrieve records from a file.
REWRITE
To update records.
DELETE To logically remove records from indexed and relative files only.
CLOSE To disconnect the VSAM data set from your program.

All of the following factors determine which input and output statements you can
use for a given VSAM data set:
v Access mode (sequential, random, or dynamic)
v File organization (ESDS, KSDS, or RRDS)
v Mode of OPEN statement (INPUT, OUTPUT, I-O, or EXTEND)

The following table shows the possible combinations with sequential files (ESDS).
The X indicates that you can use the statement with the open mode at the top of
the column.

Chapter 10. Processing VSAM files 155

 COBOL OPEN OPEN OPEN OPEN
Access mode statement INPUT OUTPUT I-O EXTEND
Sequential OPEN X X X X
WRITE X X
START
READ X X
REWRITE X
DELETE
CLOSE X X X X

The following table shows the possible combinations you can use with indexed
(KSDS) files and relative (RRDS) files. The X indicates that you can use the
statement with the open mode at the top of the column.

COBOL OPEN OPEN OPEN OPEN

Access mode statement INPUT OUTPUT I-O EXTEND
Sequential OPEN X X X X
WRITE X X
START X X
READ X X
REWRITE X
DELETE X
CLOSE X X X X
Random OPEN X X X
WRITE X X
START
READ X X
REWRITE X
DELETE X
CLOSE X X X
Dynamic OPEN X X X
WRITE X X
START X X
READ X X
REWRITE X
DELETE X
CLOSE X X X

The fields you code in the FILE STATUS clause are updated by VSAM after each
input-output statement to indicate the success or failure of the operation.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“File position indicator” on page 157

156 Programming Guide

 RELATED TASKS
“Opening a file (ESDS, KSDS, or RRDS)”
“Reading records from a VSAM file” on page 159
“Updating records in a VSAM file” on page 160
“Adding records to a VSAM file” on page 161
“Replacing records in a VSAM file” on page 162
“Deleting records from a VSAM file” on page 162
“Closing VSAM files” on page 162

RELATED REFERENCES
Status key (Common processing facilities) (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

File position indicator

The file position indicator marks the next record to be accessed for sequential
COBOL requests. You do not set the file position indicator anywhere in your
program; it is set by successful OPEN, START, READ, and READ NEXT statements.
Subsequent READ or READ NEXT requests use the established file position indicator
location and update it.

The file position indicator is not used or affected by the output statements WRITE,
REWRITE, or DELETE. The file position indicator has no meaning for random
processing.

RELATED TASKS
“Reading records from a VSAM file” on page 159

Opening a file (ESDS, KSDS, or RRDS)

Before you can use any WRITE, START, READ, REWRITE, or DELETE statements to
process records in a file, you must first open the file with an OPEN statement. File
availability and creation affect OPEN processing, optional files, and file status codes
05 and 35.

For example, if you OPEN EXTEND, OPEN I-O, or OPEN INPUT a file that is neither
optional nor available, you get file status 35 and the OPEN statement fails. If the file
is OPTIONAL, the OPEN EXTEND, OPEN I-O, or OPEN INPUT creates the file and returns
file status 05.

An OPEN operation works successfully only when you set fixed file attributes in the
DD statement or data set label for a file and specify consistent attributes for that file
in the SELECT and FD statements of your COBOL program. Mismatches in the
following items result in a file status code 39, and the OPEN statement fails:
v Attributes for file organization (sequential, relative, or indexed)
v Prime record key
v Alternate record keys
v Maximum record size
v Record type (fixed or variable)

How you code the OPEN statement in your COBOL program for a VSAM file
depends on whether the file is empty (a file that has never contained records) or
loaded. For either type of file, your program should check the file status key after
each OPEN statement.

Chapter 10. Processing VSAM files 157

 RELATED TASKS
“Opening an empty file”
“Opening a loaded file (a file with records)” on page 159

RELATED REFERENCES
“Statements to load records into a VSAM file” on page 159

Opening an empty file

To open a file that has never contained records (an empty file), use the following
statements depending on the type of file:
v OPEN OUTPUT for ESDS files.
v OPEN OUTPUT or OPEN EXTEND for KSDS and RRDS files. (Either coding has the
same effect.) If you have coded the file for random or dynamic access and the
file is optional, you can use OPEN I-O.

Optional files are files that are not necessarily present each time the program is
run. You can define files opened in INPUT, I-O, or OUTPUT mode as optional by
defining them with the SELECT OPTIONAL phrase in the FILE-CONTROL section of
your program.

Initially loading records sequentially into a file: Initially loading a file means
writing records into the file for the first time. This is not the same as writing
records into a file from which all previous records have been deleted.

To initially load a VSAM file:

1. Open the file.
2. Use sequential processing (ACCESS IS SEQUENTIAL) because it is faster.
3. Use WRITE to add a record to the file.

Using OPEN OUTPUT to load a VSAM file significantly improves the performance of
your program. Using OPEN I-O or OPEN EXTEND has a negative impact on the
performance of your program.

When you load VSAM indexed files sequentially, you optimize both loading
performance and subsequent processing performance, because sequential
processing maintains user-defined free space. Future insertions will be more
efficient.

With ACCESS IS SEQUENTIAL, you must write the records in ascending RECORD KEY
order.

When you load VSAM relative files sequentially, the records are placed in the file
in the ascending order of relative record numbers.

Initially loading a file randomly or dynamically: You can use random or

dynamic processing to load a file, but they are not as efficient as sequential
processing. Because VSAM does not support random or dynamic processing,
COBOL has to perform some extra processing to enable you to use ACCESS IS
RANDOM or ACCESS IS DYNAMIC with OPEN OUTPUT or OPEN I-O. These steps prepare
the file for use and give it the status of a loaded file, having been used at least
once.

In addition to extra overhead for preparing files for use, random processing does
not consider any user-defined free space. As a result, any future insertions might
be inefficient. Sequential processing maintains user-defined free space.

158 Programming Guide

 Loading a VSAM data set with access method services: You can load or update
a VSAM data set with the access method services REPRO command. Use REPRO
whenever possible.

RELATED TASKS
“Opening a loaded file (a file with records)”

RELATED REFERENCES
“Statements to load records into a VSAM file”
REPRO (z/OS DFSMS: Access Method Services for Catalogs)

Statements to load records into a VSAM file

Division ESDS KSDS RRDS
ENVIRONMENT SELECT SELECT SELECT
DIVISION ASSIGN ASSIGN ASSIGN
FILE STATUS ORGANIZATION IS INDEXED ORGANIZATION IS
PASSWORD RECORD KEY RELATIVE
ACCESS MODE ALTERNATE RECORD KEY RELATIVE KEY
FILE STATUS FILE STATUS
PASSWORD PASSWORD
ACCESS MODE ACCESS MODE
DATA FD entry FD entry FD entry
DIVISION
PROCEDURE OPEN OUTPUT OPEN OUTPUT OPEN OUTPUT
DIVISION OPEN EXTEND OPEN EXTEND OPEN EXTEND
WRITE WRITE WRITE
CLOSE CLOSE CLOSE

RELATED TASKS
“Opening an empty file” on page 158
“Updating records in a VSAM file” on page 160

Opening a loaded file (a file with records)

To open a file that already contains records, use OPEN INPUT, OPEN I-O, or OPEN
EXTEND.

If you open a VSAM entry-sequenced or relative-record file as EXTEND, the added

records are placed after the last existing records in the file.

If you open a VSAM key-sequenced file as EXTEND, each record you add must have
a record key higher than the highest record in the file.

RELATED TASKS
“Opening an empty file” on page 158
“Working with VSAM data sets under z/OS and UNIX” on page 165

RELATED REFERENCES
“Statements to load records into a VSAM file”
z/OS DFSMS: Access Method Services for Catalogs

Reading records from a VSAM file

Use the READ statement to retrieve (READ) records from a file. To read a record, you
must have opened the file INPUT or I-O. Your program should check the file status
key after each READ.

Chapter 10. Processing VSAM files 159

 You can retrieve records in VSAM sequential files only in the sequence in which
they were written.

You can retrieve records in VSAM indexed and relative record files in any of the
following ways:
Sequentially
According to the ascending order of the key you are using, the RECORD KEY
or the ALTERNATE RECORD KEY, beginning at the current position of the file
position indicator for indexed files, or according to ascending relative
record locations for relative files
Randomly
In any order, depending on how you set the RECORD KEY or ALTERNATE
RECORD KEY or the RELATIVE KEY before your READ request
Dynamically
Mixed sequential and random

With dynamic access, you can switch between reading a specific record directly
and reading records sequentially, by using READ NEXT for sequential retrieval and
READ for random retrieval (by key).

When you want to read sequentially, beginning at a specific record, use START
before the READ NEXT statement to set the file position indicator to point to a
particular record. When you code START followed by READ NEXT, the next record is
read and the file position indicator is reset to the next record. You can move the
file position indicator randomly by using START, but all reading is done
sequentially from that point.
START file-name KEY IS EQUAL TO ALTERNATE-RECORD-KEY

When a direct READ is performed for a VSAM indexed file, based on an alternate
index for which duplicates exist, only the first record in the data set (base cluster)
with that alternate key value is retrieved. You need a series of READ NEXT
statements to retrieve each of the data set records with the same alternate key. A
file status code of 02 is returned if there are more records with the same alternate
key value to be read; a code of 00 is returned when the last record with that key
value has been read.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“File position indicator” on page 157

RELATED TASKS
“Specifying access modes for VSAM files” on page 153

Updating records in a VSAM file

To update a VSAM file, use the ENVIRONMENT DIVISION and DATA DIVISION
statements to load records into a VSAM file and the following PROCEDURE DIVISION
statements to update VSAM files.

160 Programming Guide

 Access
method ESDS KSDS RRDS
ACCESS IS OPEN EXTEND OPEN EXTEND OPEN EXTEND
SEQUENTIAL WRITE WRITE WRITE
CLOSE CLOSE CLOSE
or or or
OPEN I-O OPEN I-O OPEN I-O
READ READ READ
REWRITE REWRITE REWRITE
CLOSE DELETE DELETE
CLOSE CLOSE
ACCESS IS Not applicable OPEN I-O OPEN I-O
RANDOM READ READ
WRITE WRITE
REWRITE REWRITE
DELETE DELETE
CLOSE CLOSE
ACCESS IS Not applicable OPEN I-O OPEN I-O
DYNAMIC READ NEXT READ NEXT
(sequential WRITE WRITE
processing) REWRITE REWRITE
START START
DELETE DELETE
CLOSE CLOSE
ACCESS IS Not applicable OPEN I-O OPEN I-O
DYNAMIC READ READ
(random WRITE WRITE
processing) REWRITE REWRITE
DELETE DELETE
CLOSE CLOSE

RELATED REFERENCES
“Statements to load records into a VSAM file” on page 159

Adding records to a VSAM file

Use the COBOL WRITE statement to add a record to a file without replacing any
existing records. The record to be added must not be larger than the maximum
record size that you set when you defined the file. Your program should check the
file status key after each WRITE statement.

Adding records sequentially

Use ACCESS IS SEQUENTIAL and code the WRITE statement to add records
sequentially to the end of a VSAM file that has been opened with either OUTPUT or
EXTEND.

Sequential files are always written sequentially.

For indexed files, you must write new records in ascending key sequence. If you
open the file EXTEND, the record keys of the records to be added must be higher
than the highest primary record key on the file when you opened the file.

For relative files, the records must be in sequence. If you include a RELATIVE KEY
data item in the SELECT clause, the relative record number of the record to be
written is placed in that data item.

Chapter 10. Processing VSAM files 161

 Adding records randomly or dynamically
When you write records to an indexed data set and ACCESS IS RANDOM or ACCESS IS
DYNAMIC, you can write the records in any order.

Replacing records in a VSAM file

To replace records in a VSAM file, use REWRITE on a file that you have opened for
I-O. If you try to use REWRITE on a file that is not opened I-O, the record is not
rewritten and the status key is set to 49. Your program should check the file status
key after each REWRITE statement.
v For sequential files, the length of the record you rewrite must be the same as the
length of the original record.
v For indexed files, you can change the length of the record you rewrite.
v For variable-length relative files, you can change the length of the record you
rewrite.

To replace records randomly or dynamically, your program need not read the
record to be rewritten. Instead, to position the record that you want to update, do
as follows:
v For indexed files, move the record key to the RECORD KEY data item and then
issue the REWRITE.
v For relative files, move the relative record number to the RELATIVE KEY data item
and then issue the REWRITE.

Deleting records from a VSAM file

Open the file I-O and use the DELETE statement to remove an existing record from
an indexed or relative file. You cannot use DELETE on a sequential file.

When you use ACCESS IS SEQUENTIAL or the file contains spanned records, your
program must first read the record to be deleted. The DELETE then removes the
record that was read. If the DELETE is not preceded by a successful READ, the
deletion is not done and the status key value is set to 92.

When you use ACCESS IS RANDOM or ACCESS IS DYNAMIC, your program need not
first read the record to be deleted. To delete a record, move the key of the record to
be deleted to the RECORD KEY data item and then issue the DELETE. Your program
should check the file status key after each DELETE statement.

Closing VSAM files

Use the CLOSE statement to disconnect your program from the VSAM file. If you
try to close a file that is already closed, you will get a logic error. Check the file
status key after each CLOSE statement.

If you do not close a VSAM file, the file is automatically closed for you under the
following conditions, except for files defined in any OS/VS COBOL programs in
the run unit:
v When the run unit ends normally, all open files defined in any COBOL
programs in the run unit are closed.
v When the run unit ends abnormally, if the TRAP(ON) run-time option has been
set, all open files defined in any COBOL programs in the run unit are closed.

162 Programming Guide

 v When Language Environment condition handling is completed and the
application resumes in a routine other than where the condition occurred, open
files defined in any COBOL programs in the run unit that might be called again
and reentered are closed.
You can change the location where a program resumes after a condition is
handled. To make this change, you can, for example, move the resume cursor
with the CEEMRCR callable service or use HLL language constructs such as a C
longjmp statement.
v When you issue CANCEL for a COBOL subprogram, any open nonexternal files
defined in that program are closed.
v When a COBOL subprogram with the INITIAL attribute returns control, any
open nonexternal files defined in that program are closed.
v When a thread of a multithreaded application ends, both external and
nonexternal files that were opened from within that same thread are closed.

File status key data items that you define in the WORKING-STORAGE SECTION are set
when these implicit CLOSE operations are performed, but your EXCEPTION/ERROR
and LABEL declaratives are not invoked.

If you open a VSAM file in a multithreaded application, you must close it from the
same thread of execution. Attempting to close the file from a different thread
results in a close failure with file-status condition 90.

Handling errors in VSAM files

When an input statement or output statement operation fails, COBOL does not
perform corrective action for you.

All OPEN and CLOSE errors with a VSAM file, whether logical errors in your
program or input/output errors on the external storage media, return control to
your COBOL program, even when you have coded no DECLARATIVE and no FILE
STATUS clause.

If any other input or output statement operation fails, you choose whether your
program will continue running after a less-than-severe input/output error occurs.

COBOL provides these ways for you to intercept and handle certain VSAM input
and output errors:
v End-of-file phrase (AT END)
v EXCEPTION/ERROR declarative
v FILE STATUS clause (file status key and VSAM return code)
v INVALID KEY phrase

You should define a status key for each VSAM file that you define in your
program. Check the status key value after every input or output request, especially
OPEN and CLOSE.

If you do not code a FILE STATUS key or a declarative, serious VSAM processing
errors will cause a message to be issued and a Language Environment condition to
be signaled, which will cause an abend if you specify the run-time option
ABTERMENC(ABEND).

Chapter 10. Processing VSAM files 163

 RELATED TASKS
“Handling errors in input and output operations” on page 223
“Using VSAM return codes (VSAM files only)” on page 229

RELATED REFERENCES
VSAM macro return and reason codes (z/OS DFSMS Macro Instructions for Data
Sets)

Protecting VSAM files with a password

Although the preferred security mechanism on a z/OS system is RACF, Enterprise
COBOL also supports using explicit passwords on VSAM files to prevent
unauthorized access and update.

To use explicit passwords, code the PASSWORD clause in the SELECT statement of
your program. Use this clause only if the catalog entry for the files includes a read
or an update password.
v If the catalog entry includes a read password, you cannot open and access the
file in a COBOL program unless you use the password clause in the
FILE-CONTROL paragraph and describe it in the DATA DIVISION. The data-name
referred to must contain a valid password when the file is opened.
v If the catalog entry includes an update password, you can open and access it,
but not update it, unless you code the password clause in the FILE-CONTROL
paragraph and describe it in the DATA DIVISION.
v If the catalog entry includes both a read password and an update password,
specify the update password to both read and update the file in your program.

If your program only retrieves records and does not update them, you need only
the read password. If your program loads files or updates them, you need to
specify the update password that was cataloged.

For indexed files, the PASSWORD data item for the RECORD KEY must contain the valid
password before the file can be successfully opened.

If you password-protect a VSAM indexed file, you must also password-protect

every alternate index in order to be fully password-protected. Where you place the
PASSWORD clause becomes important because each alternate index has its own
password. The PASSWORD clause must directly follow the key clause to which it
applies.

“Example: password protection for a VSAM indexed file”

Example: password protection for a VSAM indexed file

The following example shows the COBOL code used for a VSAM indexed file with
password protection.
. . .
INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION.
FILE-CONTROL.
SELECT LIBFILE
ASSIGN TO PAYMAST
ORGANIZATION IS INDEXED
RECORD KEY IS EMPL-NUM
PASSWORD IS BASE-PASS
ALTERNATE RECORD KEY IS EMPL-PHONE
PASSWORD IS PATH1-PASS
. . .

164 Programming Guide

 WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
01 BASE-PASS PIC X(8) VALUE “25BSREAD”.
01 PATH1-PASS PIC X(8) VALUE “25ATREAD”.

Working with VSAM data sets under z/OS and UNIX

There are some special considerations for VSAM files under z/OS and UNIX in
terms of coding access method services (IDCAMS) commands, environment
variables, and JCL.

A VSAM file is available if all of the following are true:

v You define it using access method services.
v You define it for your program by providing a DD statement, an environment
variable, or an ALLOCATE command for it.
v It has previously contained a record.

A VSAM file is unavailable if it has never contained a record, even if you have
defined it.

You always get a return code of zero on completion of the OPEN statement for a
VSAM sequential file.

Use the access method services REPRO command to empty a file. Deleting records in
this manner resets the high-use relative byte address (RBA) of the file to zero. The
file is effectively empty and appears to COBOL as if it never contained a record.

RELATED TASKS
“Defining files to the operating system” on page 10
“Defining VSAM files”
“Creating alternate indexes” on page 166
“Allocating VSAM files” on page 168
“Sharing VSAM files through RLS” on page 170

Defining VSAM files

You can process VSAM entry-sequenced, key-sequenced, and relative-record data
sets in Enterprise COBOL only after you define them through access method
services (IDCAMS).

A VSAM cluster is a logical definition for a VSAM data set and has one or two
components:
v The data component of a VSAM cluster contains the data records.
v The index component of a VSAM key-sequenced cluster consists of the index
records.

Use the access method services DEFINE CLUSTER command to define your VSAM
data sets (clusters). This process includes creating an entry in an integrated catalog
without any data transfer.

Define the following information about the cluster:

v Name of the entry
v Name of the catalog to contain this definition and its password (can use default
name.
v Organization (sequential, indexed, or relative)
v Device and volumes that the data set will occupy

Chapter 10. Processing VSAM files 165

 v Space required for the data set
v Record size and control interval sizes (CISIZE)
v Passwords (if any) required for future access

Depending on what kind of data set is in the cluster, also define the following
information for each cluster:
v For VSAM indexed data sets (KSDS), specify length and position of the prime
key in the records.
v For VSAM fixed-length relative-record data sets (RRDS), specify the record size
as greater than or equal to the maximum size COBOL record:
DEFINE CLUSTER NUMBERED
RECORDSIZE(n,n)

When you define a data set in this way, all records will be padded to the fixed
slot size n. If you use the RECORD IS VARYING ON data-name form of the RECORD
clause, a WRITE or REWRITE will use the length specified in the DEPENDING ON
data-name as the length of the record to be transferred by VSAM. This data is
then padded to the fixed slot size. READ statements always return the fixed slot
size in the DEPENDING ON data-name.
v For VSAM variable-length relative-record data sets (RRDS), specify the average
size COBOL record expected and the maximum size COBOL record expected:
DEFINE CLUSTER NUMBERED
RECORDSIZE(avg,m)

The average size COBOL record expected must be less than the maximum size
COBOL record expected.
v For COBOL simulated variable-length relative-record data sets, specify the
average size of the COBOL records and a size that is greater than or equal to the
maximum size COBOL record plus 4:
DEFINE CLUSTER INDEXED
KEYS(4,0)
RECORDSIZE(avg,m)

The average size COBOL record expected must be less than the maximum size
COBOL record expected.

RELATED TASKS
“Creating alternate indexes”
“Allocating VSAM files” on page 168
“Specifying relative organization for VSAM files” on page 151

RELATED REFERENCES
z/OS DFSMS: Access Method Services for Catalogs

Creating alternate indexes

An alternate index provides access to the records in a data set using more than one
key. It accesses records in the same way as the prime index key of an indexed data
set (KSDS).

When planning to use an alternate index, you must know:

v The type of data set (base cluster) with which the index will be associated
v Whether the keys will be unique or not unique
v Whether the index is to be password protected

166 Programming Guide

v Some of the performance aspects of using alternate indexes

Because an alternate index is, in practice, a VSAM data set that contains pointers to
the keys of a VSAM data set, you must define the alternate index and the alternate
index path (the entity that establishes the relationship between the alternate index
and the prime index). After you define an alternate index, make a catalog entry to
establish the relationship (or path) between the alternate index and its base cluster.
This path allows you to access the records of the base cluster through the alternate
keys.

To use an alternate index, you need to follow these steps:

1. Define the alternate index by using the DEFINE ALTERNATEINDEX command. In it,
define the following:
v Name of the alternate index
v Name of its related VSAM indexed data set
v Location in the record of any alternate indexes and whether they are unique
or not
v Whether or not alternate indexes are to be updated when the data set is
changed
v Name of the catalog to contain this definition and its password (can use
default name)

In your COBOL program the alternate index is identified solely by the

ALTERNATE RECORD KEY clause of the FILE CONTROL paragraph. The ALTERNATE
RECORD KEY definitions must match the definitions that you have made in the
catalog entry. Any password entries that you have cataloged should be coded
directly after the ALTERNATE RECORD KEY phrase.
2. Relate the alternate index to the base cluster (the data set to which the alternate
index gives you access) by using the DEFINE PATH command. In it, define the
following:
v Name of the path
v Alternate index to which the path is related
v Name of the catalog that contains the alternate index

The base cluster and alternate index are described by entries in the same
catalog.
3. Load the VSAM indexed data set.
4. Build the alternate index by using (typically) the BLDINDEX command. Identify
the input file as the indexed data set (base cluster) and the output file as the
alternate index or its path. This command BLDINDEX reads all the records in
your VSAM indexed data set (or base cluster) and extracts the data needed to
build the alternate index.
Alternatively, you can use the run-time option AIXBLD to build the alternate
index at run time. However, this option might adversely affect run-time
performance.

“Example: entries for alternate indexes” on page 168

RELATED REFERENCES
AIXBLD (COBOL only) (Language Environment Programming Reference)

Chapter 10. Processing VSAM files 167

 Example: entries for alternate indexes
The following example maps the relationships between the COBOL FILE-CONTROL
entry and the DD statements or environment variables for a VSAM indexed file
with two alternate indexes.

Using JCL:
//MASTERA DD DSNAME=clustername,DISP=OLD (1)
//MASTERA1 DD DSNAME=path1,DISP=OLD (2)
//MASTERA2 DD DSNAME=path2,DISP=OLD (3)

Using environment variables:

export MASTERA=DSN(clustername),OLD (1)
export MASTERA=DSN(path1),OLD (2)
export MASTERA=DSN(path2),OLD (3)
. . .
FILE-CONTROL.
SELECT MASTER-FILE ASSIGN TO MASTERA (4)
RECORD KEY IS EM-NAME
PASSWORD IS PW-BASE (5)
ALTERNATE RECORD KEY IS EM-PHONE (6)
PASSWORD IS PW-PATH1
ALTERNATE RECORD KEY IS EM-CITY (7)
PASSWORD IS PW-PATH2.
(1) The base cluster name is clustername.
(2) The name of the first alternate index path is path1.
(3) The name of the second alternate index path is path2.
(4) The ddname or environment variable name for the base cluster is specified
with the ASSIGN clause.
(5) Passwords immediately follow their indexes.
(6) The key EM-PHONE relates to the first alternate index.
(7) The key EM-CITY relates to the second alternate index.

RELATED TASKS
“Creating alternate indexes” on page 166

Allocating VSAM files

You must predefine and catalog all VSAM data sets through the access method
services DEFINE command. Most of the information about a VSAM data set is in the
catalog. You need to specify only minimal DD or environment variable information
for a VSAM file. When you use an environment variable, the name must be in
uppercase. Usually the input and data buffers are the only variables that you are
concerned about.

Allocation of VSAM files (indexed, relative, and sequential) follows the general
rules for the allocation of COBOL files. If you use an environment variable to
allocate a VSAM file, you must specify these options in the order shown, but no
others:
v DSN(dsname), where dsname is the name of the base cluster
v OLD or SHR

The basic DD statement that you need for your VSAM files is:
//ddname DD DSN=dsname,DISP=SHR,AMP=AMORG

168 Programming Guide

The corresponding export command is:
export evname=“DSN(dsname),SHR”

In either case, dsname must be the same as the name used in the access method
services DEFINE CLUSTER or DEFINE PATH command. DISP must be OLD or SHR
because the data set is already cataloged. If you specify MOD when using JCL, the
data set is treated as OLD.

AMP is a VSAM JCL parameter used to supplement the information that the
program supplies about the data set. AMP takes effect when your program opens
the VSAM file. Any information that you set through the AMP parameter takes
precedence over the information that is in the catalog or that the program supplies.

The AMP parameter is not required except under the following circumstances:
v You use a dummy VSAM data set. For example,
//ddname DD DUMMY,AMP=AMORG
v You request additional index or data buffers. For example,
//ddname DD DSN=VSAM.dsname,DISP=SHR,
// AMP=(’BUFNI=4,BUFND=8’)

You cannot specify AMP if you allocate your VSAM data set with an environment
variable.

For a VSAM base cluster, specify the same system-name (ddname or environment
variable name) that you specify in the ASSIGN clause of the SELECT statement in
your COBOL program.

When you use alternate indexes in your COBOL program, you must specify not
only a system-name (using a DD statement or environment variable) for the base
cluster, but also one for each alternate index path. No language mechanism exists
to explicitly declare system-names for alternate index paths within the program.
Therefore, you must adhere to the following guidelines for forming the
system-name (ddname or environment variable name) for each alternate index
path:
v Concatenate the base cluster name with an integer.
v Begin with 1 for the path associated with the first alternate record defined for
the file in your program (ALTERNATE RECORD KEY clause of the SELECT statement).
v Increment by 1 for the path associated with each successive alternate record
definition for that file.

For example, if the system-name of a base cluster is ABCD, the system name for the
first alternate index path defined for the file in your program is ABCD1, the
system-name for the second alternate index path is ABCD2, and so on.

If the length of the base cluster system-name and sequence number exceeds eight
characters, the base cluster portion of the system-name is truncated on the right to
reduce the concatenated result to eight characters. For example, if the system-name
of a base cluster is ABCDEFGH, the system name of the first alternate index path is
ABCDEFG1, the tenth is ABCDEF10, and so on.

RELATED TASKS
“Allocating files” on page 117

Chapter 10. Processing VSAM files 169

 RELATED REFERENCES
MVS JCL Reference

Sharing VSAM files through RLS

By using the VSAM JCL parameter RLS, you can specify the use of record level
sharing with VSAM. Use RLS=CR when consistent read protocols are required, and
RLS=NRI when no read integrity protocols are required. Specifying the RLS
parameter is the only way to request the RLS mode when running COBOL
programs.

You cannot specify RLS if you allocate your VSAM data set with an environment
variable.

Preventing update problems with VSAM files in RLS mode

When a VSAM data set is opened in RLS mode for I-O (updates), the first READ
causes an exclusive lock of the control interval that contains the record, regardless
of RLS=CR or RLS=NRI that you specify. The exclusive lock is released after a WRITE
or REWRITE statement is issued or another READ statement is issued for another
record.

Specifying RLS=CR locks a record and prevents an update to it until another READ is
requested for another record. While a lock on the record being read is in effect,
other users can request a READ for the same record, but they cannot update the
record until the read lock is released. When you specify RLS=NRI, no lock will be in
effect when a READ for input is issued and another user might update the record.

The locking rules for RLS=CR can cause the application to wait for availability of a
record lock, and this wait might slow down the READ for input.

You might need to modify your application logic to use the RLS=CR capability. Do
not use the RLS JCL parameter for batch jobs that update nonrecoverable spheres
until you are sure that the application functions correctly in a multiple updater
environment.

When you open a VSAM data set in RLS mode for INPUT or I-O processing, it is a
good idea to issue an OPEN or START immediately before a READ. If there is a delay
between the OPEN or START and the actual READ, another user might add records
before the record on which the application is positioned after the OPEN or START.
The COBOL run time points explicitly to the beginning of the VSAM data set at
the time when OPEN was requested, but another user might add records that would
alter the true beginning of the VSAM data set if the READ is delayed.

Restrictions when using RLS

The following restrictions apply to RLS mode:
v The VSAM cluster attributes KEYRANGE and IMBED are not supported when you
open a VSAM file in RLS mode.
v The VSAM cluster attribute REPLICATE is not recommended with RLS mode
because the benefits are negated by the system-wide buffer pool and potentially
large CF cache structure in the storage hierarchy.
v The AIXBLD run-time option is not supported when you open a VSAM file in RLS
mode, because VSAM does not allow an empty path to be opened. If you need
the AIXBLD run-time option to build the alternate index data set, open the VSAM
data set in non-RLS mode.
v Temporary data sets are not allowed in RLS mode.

170 Programming Guide

 v The SIMVRD run-time option is not supported for VSAM files opened in RLS
mode.

Handling errors in VSAM files in RLS mode

If your application accesses a VSAM data set in RLS mode, be sure to check the file
status and VSAM feedback codes after each request.

If your application encounters “SMSVSAM server not available” while processing

input or output, explicitly close the VSAM file before you try to open it again.
VSAM generates return code 16 for failures like “SMSVSAM server not available,”
and there is no feedback code. You can have your COBOL programs check the first
two bytes of the second file status area for a VSAM return code 16.

The COBOL run time generates message IGZ0205W and automatically closes the
file if the error occurs during OPEN processing.

All other RLS mode errors return a VSAM return code of 4, 8, or 12.

Improving VSAM performance

Most likely, your system programmer is responsible for tuning the performance of
COBOL and VSAM. As an application programmer, you can control the aspects of
VSAM listed in this table.

Aspect of VSAM What you can do Rationale and comments

Invoking access Build your alternate indexes in
methods service advance, using IDCAMS.
Buffering For sequential access, request more The default is one index (BUFNI)
data buffers; for random access, and two data buffers (BUFND).
request more index buffers. Specify
both BUFND and BUFNI when ACCESS
IS DYNAMIC.

Avoid coding additional buffers

unless your application will run
interactively; and then code buffers
only when response-time problems
arise that might be caused by
delays in input and output.
Loading records, Use the access methods service The REPRO command can update an
using access REPRO command when: indexed data set as fast or faster
methods services v The target indexed data set than any COBOL program under
already contains records. these conditions.
v The input sequential data set
contains records to be updated
or inserted into the indexed data
set.

If you use a COBOL program to

load the file, use OPEN OUTPUT and
ACCESS SEQUENTIAL.
File access modes For best performance, access Dynamic access is less efficient
records sequentially. than sequential access, but more
efficient than random access.
Random access results in increased
EXCPs because VSAM must access
the index for each request.

Chapter 10. Processing VSAM files 171

 Aspect of VSAM What you can do Rationale and comments
Key design Design the key in the records so This method compresses the key
that the high-order portion is best.
relatively constant and the
low-order portion changes often.
Multiple Avoid using multiple alternate Updates must be applied through
alternate indexes indexes. the primary paths and are reflected
through multiple alternate paths,
perhaps slowing performance,
Relative file Use VSAM fixed-length relative Although not as space efficient,
organization data sets rather than VSAM VSAM fixed-length relative data
variable-length relative data sets. sets are more run-time efficient
than VSAM variable-length relative
data sets, which have performance
characteristics comparable to
COBOL simulated relative data
sets.
Control interval Provide your system programmer VSAM calculates CISZ to best fit
sizes (CISZ) with information about the data the direct-access storage device
access and future growth of your (DASD) usage algorithm, which
VSAM data sets. From this might not, however, be efficient for
information, your system your application.
programmer can determine the
An average CISZ of 4K is suitable
best control interval size (CISZ) and
FREESPACE size (FSPC). for most applications. A smaller
CISZ means faster retrieval for
Choose proper values for CISZ and random processing at the expense
FSPC to minimize control area (CA) of inserts (that is, more CISZ splits
splits. You can diagnose the and therefore more space in the
current number of CA splits by data set). A larger CISZ results in
issuing the LISTCAT ALL command the transfer of more data across the
on the cluster, and then compress channel for each READ. This is more
(using EXPORT or IMPORT or REPRO) efficient for sequential processing,
the cluster to omit all CA splits similar to a large OS BLKSIZE.
periodically.
Many control area (CA) splits are
unfavorable for VSAM
performance. The FREESPACE
value can affect CA splits,
depending on how the file is used.

RELATED TASKS
“Specifying access modes for VSAM files” on page 153
Deciding how big a virtual resource pool to provide (z/OS DFSMS: Using Data Sets)
Selecting the optimal percentage of free space (z/OS DFSMS: Using Data Sets)

RELATED REFERENCES
z/OS DFSMS: Access Method Services for Catalogs

172 Programming Guide

Chapter 11. Processing line-sequential files
Line-sequential files are files that reside in the hierarchical file system (HFS) and
that contain only printable characters and certain control characters as data. Each
record ends with an EBCDIC new-line character (X’15’), which is not included in
the length of the record. Because these are sequential files, records are placed one
after another according to entry order. Your program can process these files only
sequentially, retrieving (with the READ statement) records in the same order as they
are in the file. A new record is placed after the preceding record.

To process line-sequential files in your program, use COBOL language statements

that:
v Identify and describe the files in the ENVIRONMENT DIVISION and the DATA
DIVISION
v Process the records in the files in the PROCEDURE DIVISION

After you have created a record, you cannot change its length or its position in the
file, and you cannot delete it.

RELATED CONCEPTS
UNIX System Services User’s Guide

RELATED TASKS
“Defining line-sequential files and records in COBOL”
“Describing the structure of a line-sequential file” on page 174
“Coding input-output statements for line-sequential files” on page 175
“Handling errors in line-sequential files” on page 178
“Defining and allocating line-sequential files” on page 175

RELATED REFERENCES
“Allowable control characters” on page 174

Defining line-sequential files and records in COBOL

Use the FILE-CONTROL entry in the ENVIRONMENT DIVISION to:
v Define the files in your COBOL program as line-sequential files.
v Associate them with the external file-names (ddnames or environment variable
names). An external file-name is the name by which a file is known to the
operating system.

In the following example, COMMUTER-FILE is the name that your program uses for
the file; COMMUTR is the external name.
FILE-CONTROL.
SELECT COMMUTER-FILE
ASSIGN TO COMMUTR
ORGANIZATION IS LINE SEQUENTIAL
ACCESS MODE IS SEQUENTIAL
FILE STATUS IS ECODE.

Your ASSIGN assignment-name clause must not include an organization field (S- or
AS-) before the external name. The ACCESS phrase and the FILE STATUS phrase are
optional.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 173

 RELATED TASKS
“Describing the structure of a line-sequential file”
“Coding input-output statements for line-sequential files” on page 175
“Defining and allocating line-sequential files” on page 175

RELATED REFERENCES
“Allowable control characters”

Allowable control characters

The control characters shown in the table below are the only characters other than
printable characters that line-sequential files can contain. The hex values are in
EBCDIC.

Hex value Control character

X’05’ Horizontal tab
X’0B’ Vertical tab
X’0C’ Form feed
X’0D’ Carriage return
X’0E’ DBCS shift-out
X’0F’ DBCS shift-in
X’15’ New-line
X’16’ Backspace
X’2F’ Alarm

The new-line character is treated as a record delimiter. The other control characters
are treated as data and are part of the record.

RELATED TASKS
“Defining line-sequential files and records in COBOL” on page 173

Describing the structure of a line-sequential file

In the FILE SECTION of the DATA DIVISION, code a file description (FD) entry for the
file. In the associated record description entry or entries, define the record-name and
record length.

Code the logical size of the records with the RECORD clause. Line-sequential files are
stream files. Because of their character-oriented nature, the physical records are of
variable length.

The following examples show how the FD entry might look for a line-sequential
file:

With fixed-length records:

FILE SECTION.
FD COMMUTER-FILE
RECORD CONTAINS 80 CHARACTERS.
01 COMMUTER-RECORD.
05 COMMUTER-NUMBER PIC X(16).
05 COMMUTER-DESCRIPTION PIC X(64).

With variable-length records:

FILE SECTION.
FD COMMUTER-FILE
RECORD VARYING FROM 16 TO 80 CHARACTERS.

174 Programming Guide

 01 COMMUTER-RECORD.
05 COMMUTER-NUMBER PIC X(16).
05 COMMUTER-DESCRIPTION PIC X(64).

If you code the same fixed size and no OCCURS DEPENDING ON clause for any level-01
record description entries associated with the file, that fixed size is the logical
record length. However, because blanks at the end of a record are not written to
the file, the physical records might be of varying lengths.

RELATED TASKS
“Defining line-sequential files and records in COBOL” on page 173
“Coding input-output statements for line-sequential files”
“Defining and allocating line-sequential files”

RELATED REFERENCES
Data Division—file description entries (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Defining and allocating line-sequential files

You can define a line-sequential file in the HFS using either a DD statement or an
environment variable. Allocation of these files follows the general rules for
allocating COBOL files.

To define a line-sequential file, define one of the following with a name that
matches the external name on your ASSIGN clause:
v A DD allocation:
– A DD statement that specifies PATH=’absolute-path-name’
– A TSO allocation that specifies PATH(’absolute-path-name’)

You can optionally also specify these options:

– PATHOPTS
– PATHMODE
– PATHDISP
v An environment variable with a value of PATH(absolute-path-name). No other
values can be specified.
For example, to have your COBOL program use HFS file
/u/myfiles/commuterfile for a COBOL file with an assignment-name of COMMUTR,
you would use the following command:
export COMMUTR=“PATH(/u/myfiles/commuterfile)”

RELATED TASKS
“Allocating files” on page 117
“Defining line-sequential files and records in COBOL” on page 173

RELATED REFERENCES
MVS JCL Reference

Coding input-output statements for line-sequential files

Code the following input and output statements to process a line-sequential file:
OPEN To make the file available to your program.
You can open a line-sequential file as INPUT, OUTPUT, or EXTEND. You cannot
open a line-sequential file as I-O.

Chapter 11. Processing line-sequential files 175

 READ To read a record from the file.
With sequential processing, your program reads one record after another in
the same order in which they were entered when the file was created.
WRITE To create a record in the file.
Your program writes new records to the end of the file.
CLOSE To release the connection between the file and your program.

RELATED TASKS
“Defining line-sequential files and records in COBOL” on page 173
“Describing the structure of a line-sequential file” on page 174
“Opening line-sequential files”
“Reading records from line-sequential files”
“Adding records to line-sequential files” on page 177
“Closing line-sequential files” on page 177
“Handling errors in line-sequential files” on page 178

RELATED REFERENCES
OPEN statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
READ statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
WRITE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
CLOSE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Opening line-sequential files

Before your program can use any READ or WRITE statements to process records in a
file, it must first open the file with an OPEN statement.

An OPEN statement works if the file is available or has been dynamically allocated.

Code CLOSE WITH LOCK so that the file cannot be opened again while the program
is running.

RELATED TASKS
“Reading records from line-sequential files”
“Adding records to line-sequential files” on page 177
“Closing line-sequential files” on page 177
“Defining and allocating line-sequential files” on page 175

RELATED REFERENCES
OPEN statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
CLOSE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Reading records from line-sequential files

To read from a line-sequential file, open the file and use the READ statement.

With sequential processing, your program reads one record after another in the
same order in which the records were entered when the file was created.

Characters in the file record are read one at a time into the record area until one of
the following conditions occurs:
v The record delimiter (the EBCDIC new-line character) is encountered.
The delimiter is discarded and the remainder of the record area is filled with
spaces. (Record area is longer than the file record.)

176 Programming Guide

 v The entire record area is filled with characters.
If the next unread character is the record delimiter, it is discarded. The next READ
reads from the first character of the next record. (Record area is the same length
as the file record.)
Otherwise the next unread character is the first character to be read by the next
READ. (Record area is shorter than the file record.)

RELATED TASKS
“Opening line-sequential files” on page 176
“Adding records to line-sequential files”
“Closing line-sequential files”
“Defining and allocating line-sequential files” on page 175

RELATED REFERENCES
OPEN statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
WRITE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Adding records to line-sequential files

To add to a line-sequential file, open the file as EXTEND and use the WRITE statement
to add records immediately after the last record in the file.

Blanks at the end of the record area are removed and the record delimiter is
added. The characters in the record area from the first character up to and
including the added record delimiter are written to the file as one record.

Records written to line-sequential files must contain only USAGE DISPLAY and
DISPLAY-1 items. External decimal data items must be unsigned or declared with
the SEPARATE CHARACTER phrase if signed.

RELATED TASKS
“Opening line-sequential files” on page 176
“Reading records from line-sequential files” on page 176
“Closing line-sequential files”
“Defining and allocating line-sequential files” on page 175

RELATED REFERENCES
OPEN statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
WRITE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Closing line-sequential files

Use the CLOSE statement to disconnect your program from a line-sequential file. If
you try to close a file that is already closed, you will get a logic error.

If you do not close a line-sequential file, the file is automatically closed for you
under the following conditions:
v When the run unit ends normally.
v When the run unit ends abnormally, if the TRAP(ON) run-time option is set.
v When Language Environment condition handling is completed and the
application resumes in a routine other than where the condition occurred, open
files defined in any COBOL programs in the run unit that might be called again
and reentered are closed.

Chapter 11. Processing line-sequential files 177

 You can change the location where the program resumes (after a condition is
handled) by moving the resume cursor with the Language Environment
CEEMRCR callable service or using HLL language constructs such as a C
longjmp call.

File status codes are set when these implicit CLOSE operations are performed, but
EXCEPTION/ERROR declaratives are not invoked.

RELATED TASKS
“Opening line-sequential files” on page 176
“Reading records from line-sequential files” on page 176
“Adding records to line-sequential files” on page 177
“Defining and allocating line-sequential files” on page 175

RELATED REFERENCES
CLOSE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Handling errors in line-sequential files

When an input or output statement operation fails, COBOL does not take
corrective action for you. You choose whether or not your program will continue
running after an input or output error occurs.

COBOL provides these techniques for intercepting and handling certain

line-sequential input and output errors:
v End of file phrase (AT END)
v EXCEPTION/ERROR declarative
v FILE STATUS clause

If you do not use one of these techniques, an error in processing input or output
raises a Language Environment condition.

If you use the FILE STATUS clause, be sure to check the key and take appropriate
action based on its value. If you do not check the key, it is possible that your
program could continue; but the results will probably not be what you expected.

RELATED TASKS
“Coding input-output statements for line-sequential files” on page 175
“Handling errors in input and output operations” on page 223

178 Programming Guide

Chapter 12. Sorting and merging files
You can arrange records in a particular sequence by using the SORT or MERGE
statements:
SORT statement
Accepts input (from a file or an internal procedure) that is not in sequence,
and produces output (to a file or an internal procedure) in a requested
sequence. You can add, delete, or change records before or after they are
sorted.
MERGE statement
Compares records from two or more sequenced files and combines them in
order. You can add, delete, or change records after they are merged.

You can mix SORT and MERGE statements in the same COBOL program. A program
can contain any number of sort and merge operations. They can be the same
operation performed many times or different operations. However, one operation
must finish before another begins.

With Enterprise COBOL, your IBM licensed program for sorting and merging must
be DFSORT or an equivalent. Where DFSORT is mentioned, you can use any
equivalent sort or merge product.

COBOL programs that contain SORT or MERGE statements can reside above or below
the 16-MB line.

The general procedure for sorting or merging is as follows:

1. Describe the sort or merge file to be used for sorting or merging.
2. Describe the input to be sorted or merged. If you want to process the records
before you sort them, code an input procedure.
3. Describe the output from sorting or merging. If you want to process the records
after you sort or merge them, code an output procedure.
4. Request the sort or merge.
5. Determine whether the sort or merge operation was successful.

Restrictions:
v You cannot run a COBOL program that contains SORT or MERGE statements under
UNIX. This restriction includes BPXBATCH.
v You cannot use SORT or MERGE statements in programs compiled with the THREAD
option. This includes programs that use object-oriented syntax and
multithreaded applications, both of which require the THREAD option.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Sort and merge process” on page 180

RELATED TASKS
“Describing the sort or merge file” on page 180
“Describing the input to sorting or merging” on page 181
“Describing the output from sorting or merging” on page 183
“Requesting the sort or merge” on page 186
“Determining whether the sort or merge was successful” on page 190

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 179

 “Improving sort performance with FASTSRT” on page 191
“Controlling sort behavior” on page 193
DFSORT Application Programming Guide

RELATED REFERENCES
“CICS SORT application restrictions” on page 197
SORT statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
MERGE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Sort and merge process

During the sorting of a file, all of its records are ordered according to the contents
of one or more fields (keys) in each record. If there are multiple keys, the records
are first sorted according to the content of the first (or primary) key, then according
to the content of the second key, and so on. You can sort the records in either
ascending or descending order of each key.

To sort a file, use the COBOL SORT statement.

During the merging of two or more files (which must already be sorted), the
records are combined and ordered according to the contents of one or more keys in
each record. As with sorting, the records are first ordered according to the content
of the primary key, then according to the content of the second key, and so on. You
can order the records in either ascending or descending order of each key.

Use MERGE . . . USING to name the files that you want to combine into one
sequenced file. The merge operation compares keys in the records of the input
files, and passes the sequenced records one by one to the RETURN statement of an
output procedure or to the file that you name in the GIVING phrase.

RELATED REFERENCES
SORT statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
MERGE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Describing the sort or merge file

Describe the sort file to be used for sorting or merging:
1. Write one or more SELECT statements in the FILE-CONTROL paragraph of the
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION to name a sort file. For example:
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION.
INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION.
FILE-CONTROL.
SELECT Sort-Work-1 ASSIGN TO SortFile.

Sort-Work-1 is the name of the file in your program. Use this name to refer to
the file.
2. Describe the sort file in an SD entry in the FILE SECTION of the DATA DIVISION.
Every SD entry must contain a record description. For example:
DATA DIVISION.
FILE SECTION.
SD Sort-Work-1
RECORD CONTAINS 100 CHARACTERS.
01 SORT-WORK-1-AREA.
05 SORT-KEY-1 PIC X(10).
05 SORT-KEY-2 PIC X(10).
05 FILLER PIC X(80).

180 Programming Guide

 You need SELECT statements and SD entries for sorting or merging, even if you are
sorting or merging data items from WORKING-STORAGE only.

The file described in an SD entry is the working file used for a sort or merge
operation. You cannot perform any input or output operations on this file. You do
not need to provide a ddname definition for the file.

RELATED REFERENCES
“FILE SECTION entries” on page 13

Describing the input to sorting or merging

Describe the input file or files for sorting or merging by following this procedure:
1. Write one or more SELECT statements in the FILE-CONTROL paragraph of the
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION to name the input files. For example:
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION.
INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION.
FILE-CONTROL.
SELECT Input-File ASSIGN TO InFile.

Input-File is the name of the file in your program. Use this name to refer to the
file.
2. Describe the input file (or files when merging) in an FD entry in the FILE
SECTION of the DATA DIVISION. For example:
DATA DIVISION.
FILE SECTION.
FD Input-File
LABEL RECORDS ARE STANDARD
BLOCK CONTAINS 0 CHARACTERS
RECORDING MODE IS F
RECORD CONTAINS 100 CHARACTERS.
01 Input-Record PIC X(100).

RELATED TASKS
“Coding the input procedure” on page 182
“Requesting the sort or merge” on page 186

RELATED REFERENCES
“FILE SECTION entries” on page 13

Example: describing sort and input files for SORT

The following example shows the ENVIRONMENT DIVISION and DATA DIVISION entries
needed to describe sort files and an input file.
ID Division.
Program-ID. SmplSort.
Environment Division.
Input-Output Section.
File-Control.
*
* Assign name for a working file is
* treated as documentation.
*
Select Sort-Work-1 Assign To SortFile.
Select Sort-Work-2 Assign To SortFile.
Select Input-File Assign To InFile.
. . .
Data Division.
File Section.
SD Sort-Work-1

Chapter 12. Sorting and merging files 181

 Record Contains 100 Characters.
01 Sort-Work-1-Area.
05 Sort-Key-1 Pic X(10).
05 Sort-Key-2 Pic X(10).
05 Filler Pic X(80).
SD Sort-Work-2
Record Contains 30 Characters.
01 Sort-Work-2-Area.
05 Sort-Key Pic X(5).
05 Filler Pic X(25).
FD Input-File
Label Records Are Standard
Block Contains 0 Characters
Recording Mode is F
Record Contains 100 Characters.
01 Input-Record Pic X(100).
. . .
Working-Storage Section.
01 EOS-Sw Pic X.
01 Filler.
05 Table-Entry Occurs 100 Times
Indexed By X1 Pic X(30).
. . .

RELATED TASKS
“Requesting the sort or merge” on page 186

Coding the input procedure

If you want to process the records in an input file before they are released to the
sort program, use the INPUT PROCEDURE phrase of the SORT statement. You can use
an input procedure to do the following:
v Release data items to the sort file from WORKING-STORAGE.
v Release records that have already been read in elsewhere in the program.
v Read records from an input file, select or process them, and release them to the
sort file.

Each input procedure must be contained in either paragraphs or sections. For

example, to release records from a table in WORKING-STORAGE to the sort file
SORT-WORK-2, you could code as follows:
SORT SORT-WORK-2
ON ASCENDING KEY SORT-KEY
INPUT PROCEDURE 600-SORT3-INPUT-PROC
. . .
600-SORT3-INPUT-PROC SECTION.
PERFORM WITH TEST AFTER
VARYING X1 FROM 1 BY 1 UNTIL X1 = 100
RELEASE SORT-WORK-2-AREA FROM TABLE-ENTRY (X1)
END-PERFORM.

To transfer records to the sort program, all input procedures must contain at least
one RELEASE or RELEASE FROM statement. To release A from X, for example, you can
code:
MOVE X TO A.
RELEASE A.

Alternatively, you can code:

RELEASE A FROM X.

The following table compares the RELEASE and RELEASE FROM statements.

182 Programming Guide

 RELEASE RELEASE FROM

MOVE EXT-RECORD PERFORM RELEASE-SORT-RECORD

TO SORT-EXT-RECORD . . .
PERFORM RELEASE-SORT-RECORD RELEASE-SORT-RECORD.
. . . RELEASE SORT-RECORD
RELEASE-SORT-RECORD. FROM SORT-EXT-RECORD
RELEASE SORT-RECORD

RELATED REFERENCES
“Restrictions on input and output procedures” on page 185
RELEASE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Describing the output from sorting or merging

If the output from sorting or merging is a file, describe the file by following this
procedure:
1. Write a SELECT statement in the FILE-CONTROL paragraph of the ENVIRONMENT
DIVISION to name the output file. For example:
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION.
INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION.
FILE-CONTROL.
SELECT Output-File ASSIGN TO OutFile.

Output-File is the name of the file in your program. Use this name to refer to
the file.
2. Describe the output file (or files when merging) in an FD entry in the FILE
SECTION of the DATA DIVISION. For example:
DATA DIVISION.
FILE SECTION.
FD Output-File
LABEL RECORDS ARE STANDARD
BLOCK CONTAINS 0 CHARACTERS
RECORDING MODE IS F
RECORD CONTAINS 100 CHARACTERS.
01 Output-Record PIC X(100).

RELATED TASKS
“Coding the output procedure”
“Requesting the sort or merge” on page 186

RELATED REFERENCES
“FILE SECTION entries” on page 13

Coding the output procedure

If you want to select, edit, or otherwise change sorted records before writing them
from the sort work file into another file, use the OUTPUT PROCEDURE phrase of the
SORT statement.

Each output procedure must be contained in either a section or a paragraph. An

output procedure must include both of the following elements:
v At least one RETURN or RETURN INTO statement
v Any statements necessary to process the records that are made available, one at
a time, by the RETURN statement

Chapter 12. Sorting and merging files 183

 The RETURN statement makes each sorted record available to your output
procedure. (The RETURN statement for a sort file is similar to a READ statement for an
input file.)

You can use the AT END and END-RETURN phrases with the RETURN statement. The
imperative statements on the AT END phrase are performed after all the records
have been returned from the sort file. The END-RETURN explicit scope terminator
delimits the scope of the RETURN statement.

If you use the RETURN INTO statement instead of RETURN, your records will be
returned to WORKING-STORAGE or to an output area.

Coding considerations when using DFSORT

When a RETURN statement does not encounter an AT END condition before your
COBOL program finishes running, the SORT statement could end abnormally with
DFSORT message IEC025A. To avoid this situation, do these steps:
1. Code the RETURN statement with the AT END phrase.
2. Ensure that the RETURN statement is executed until the AT END condition is
encountered.

The AT END condition occurs after the last record is returned to the program from
the sort work file and a subsequent RETURN statement is executed.

“Example: coding the output procedure when using DFSORT”

RELATED REFERENCES
“Restrictions on input and output procedures” on page 185
RETURN statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Example: coding the output procedure when using DFSORT

The following example shows a coding technique that ensures that the RETURN
statement encounters the AT END condition before the program finishes running.
The RETURN statement, coded with the AT END phrase, is executed until the AT END
condition occurs.
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
DATA DIVISION.
FILE SECTION.
SD OUR-FILE.
01 OUR-SORT-REC.
03 SORT-KEY PIC X(10).
03 FILLER PIC X(70).
. . .
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
01 WS-SORT-REC PIC X(80).
01 END-OF-SORT-FILE-INDICATOR PIC X VALUE ’N’.
88 NO-MORE-SORT-RECORDS VALUE ’Y’.
. . .
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
A-CONTROL SECTION.
SORT OUR-FILE ON ASCENDING KEY SORT-KEY
INPUT PROCEDURE IS B-INPUT
OUTPUT PROCEDURE IS C-OUTPUT.
. . .
B-INPUT SECTION.
MOVE . . .. . .. TO WS-SORT-REC.
RELEASE OUR-SORT-REC FROM WS-SORT-REC.
. . .
C-OUTPUT SECTION.

184 Programming Guide

 DISPLAY ’STARTING READS OF SORTED RECORDS: ’.
RETURN OUR-FILE
AT END
SET NO-MORE-SORT-RECORDS TO TRUE.
PERFORM WITH TEST BEFORE UNTIL NO-MORE-SORT-RECORDS
IF SORT-RETURN = 0 THEN
DISPLAY ’OUR-SORT-REC = ’ OUR-SORT-REC
RETURN OUR-FILE
AT END
SET NO-MORE-SORT-RECORDS TO TRUE
END-IF
END-PERFORM.

Restrictions on input and output procedures

The following restrictions apply to each input or output procedure called by SORT
and to each output procedure called by MERGE:
v The procedure must not contain any SORT or MERGE statements.
v The procedure must not contain any STOP RUN, EXIT PROGRAM, or GOBACK
statements.
v You can use ALTER, GO TO, and PERFORM statements in the procedure to refer to
procedure names outside the input or output procedure. However, control must
return to the input or output procedure after a GO TO or PERFORM statement.
v The remainder of the PROCEDURE DIVISION must not contain any transfers of
control to points inside the input or output procedure (with the exception of the
return of control from a declarative section).
v In an input or output procedure, you can call a program that follows standard
linkage conventions. However, the called program cannot issue a SORT or MERGE
statement.
v During a SORT or MERGE operation, the SD data item is used. You must not use it
in the output procedure before the first RETURN executes. If you move data into
this record area before the first RETURN statement, the first record to be returned
will be overwritten.
v Language Environment condition handling does not allow user-written
condition handlers to be established in an input or output procedure.

RELATED TASKS
“Coding the input procedure” on page 182
“Coding the output procedure” on page 183
Planning to link-edit and run (Language Environment Programming Guide)

Defining sort and merge data sets

To use DFSORT under z/OS, code DD statements in the run-time JCL to describe
the necessary data sets:
Sort or merge work
Define a minimum of three data sets: SORTWK01, SORTWK02, SORTWK03, . . .,
SORTWKnn (where nn is 99 or less). These data sets cannot be in the HFS.
SYSOUT Define for sort diagnostic messages, unless you change the data set name.
(Change the name using either the MSGDDN keyword of the OPTION control
statement in the SORT-CONTROL data set, or using the SORT-MESSAGE special
register.)
SORTCKPT
Define if the sort or merge is to take checkpoints.

Chapter 12. Sorting and merging files 185

 Input and output
Define input and output data sets, if any.
SORTLIB (DFSORT library)
Define the library containing the sort modules, for example,
SYS1.SORTLIB.

RELATED TASKS
“Controlling sort behavior” on page 193
“Using checkpoint/restart with DFSORT” on page 196

Sorting variable-length records

Your sort work file will be variable length only if you define it to be variable
length, even if the input file to the sort contains variable-length records.

The compiler will determine that the sort work file is variable length if you code
one of the following in its SD entry:
v A RECORD IS VARYING clause
v Two or more record descriptions that define records with different sizes, or
records that contain an OCCURS DEPENDING ON clause

You cannot code RECORDING MODE V for the sort work file because the SD entry does
not allow the RECORDING MODE clause.

To improve sort performance on variable-length files, specify the most frequently

occurring record length of the input file (the modal length) on the SMS= control
card or in the SORT-MODE-SIZE special register.

RELATED TASKS
“Changing DFSORT defaults with control statements” on page 195
“Controlling sort behavior” on page 193

Requesting the sort or merge

To read records directly from an input file (files for MERGE) without any preliminary
processing, use SORT . . . USING or MERGE . . . USING and the name of the input
file (files) that you have declared in a SELECT statement. The compiler generates an
input procedure to open the input file (files), read the records, release the records
to the sort or merge program, and close the input file (files). The input file or files
must not be open when the SORT or MERGE statement begins execution.

To transfer sorted or merged records from the sort or merge program directly to
another file without any further processing, use SORT . . . GIVING or MERGE . . .
GIVING and the name of the output file that you have declared in a SELECT
statement. The compiler generates an output procedure to open the output file,
return the records, write the records, and close the file. The output file must not be
open when the SORT or MERGE statement begins execution. For example:
SORT Sort-Work-1
ON ASCENDING KEY Sort-Key-1
USING Input-File
GIVING Output-File.

The USING or GIVING files on a SORT or MERGE statement can be sequential files
residing in the HFS.

186 Programming Guide

 “Example: describing sort and input files for SORT” on page 181

If you want an input procedure to be performed on the sort records before they are
sorted, use SORT . . . INPUT PROCEDURE. If you want an output procedure to be
performed on the sorted records, use SORT . . . OUTPUT PROCEDURE. For example:
SORT Sort-Work-1
ON ASCENDING KEY Sort-Key-1
INPUT PROCEDURE EditInputRecords
OUTPUT PROCEDURE FormatData.

“Example: sorting with input and output procedures” on page 188

Restriction: You cannot use an input procedure with the MERGE statement. The
source of input to the merge operation must be a collection of already sorted files.
However, if you want an output procedure to be performed on the merged
records, use MERGE . . . OUTPUT PROCEDURE. For example:
MERGE Merge-Work
ON ASCENDING KEY Merge-Key
USING Input-File-1 Input-File-2 Input-File-3
OUTPUT PROCEDURE ProcessOutput.

You must define Merge-Work in an SD statement in the FILE SECTION of the DATA
DIVISION, and the input files in FD statements in the FILE SECTION.

Setting sort or merge criteria

To set sort or merge criteria, do these steps:
1. In the record description of the files to be sorted or merged, define the key or
keys on which the operation is to be performed.
There is no maximum number of keys, but the keys must be located in the first
4092 bytes of the record description.
The total length of the keys cannot exceed 4092 bytes unless the EQUALS
keyword is coded in the DFSORT OPTION control statement, in which case the
total length of the keys must not exceed 4088 bytes.
Restriction: A key cannot be variably located.
2. In the SORT or MERGE statement, specify the key fields to be used for sequencing.
You can code keys as ascending or descending. When you code more than one
key, some can be ascending, and some descending.
The leftmost key is the primary key. The next key is the secondary key, and so
on.

You can specify national data items as keys for sorting and merging. The binary
collating sequence is applied to such keys. If you specify a national data item as a
sort or merge key, any COLLATING SEQUENCE phrase on the SORT or MERGE statement
does not apply to that key.

You can mix SORT and MERGE statements in the same COBOL program. A program
can perform any number of sort or merge operations. However, one operation
must end before another can begin.

RELATED CONCEPTS
Appendix B, “Complex OCCURS DEPENDING ON” on page 587 (variably located
items)

RELATED TASKS
“Defining sort and merge data sets” on page 185

Chapter 12. Sorting and merging files 187

 RELATED REFERENCES
SORT control statement (DFSORT Application Programming Guide)
SORT statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
MERGE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Example: sorting with input and output procedures

The following example shows the use of an input and an output procedure in a
SORT statement. The example also shows how you can define primary key
SORT-GRID-LOCATION and secondary key SORT-SHIFT in the DATA DIVISION before
using them in the SORT statement.
DATA DIVISION.
. . .
SD SORT-FILE
RECORD CONTAINS 115 CHARACTERS
DATA RECORD SORT-RECORD.
01 SORT-RECORD.
05 SORT-KEY.
10 SORT-SHIFT PIC X(1).
10 SORT-GRID-LOCATION PIC X(2).
10 SORT-REPORT PIC X(3).
05 SORT-EXT-RECORD.
10 SORT-EXT-EMPLOYEE-NUM PIC X(6).
10 SORT-EXT-NAME PIC X(30).
10 FILLER PIC X(73).
. . .
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
01 TAB1.
05 TAB-ENTRY OCCURS 10 TIMES
INDEXED BY TAB-INDX.
10 WS-SHIFT PIC X(1).
10 WS-GRID-LOCATION PIC X(2).
10 WS-REPORT PIC X(3).
10 WS-EXT-EMPLOYEE-NUM PIC X(6).
10 WS-EXT-NAME PIC X(30).
10 FILLER PIC X(73).
. . .
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
. . .
SORT SORT-FILE
ON ASCENDING KEY SORT-GRID-LOCATION SORT-SHIFT
INPUT PROCEDURE 600-SORT3-INPUT
OUTPUT PROCEDURE 700-SORT3-OUTPUT.
. . .
600-SORT3-INPUT.
PERFORM VARYING TAB-INDX FROM 1 BY 1 UNTIL TAB-INDX > 10
RELEASE SORT-RECORD FROM TAB-ENTRY(TAB-INDX)
END-PERFORM.
. . .
700-SORT3-OUTPUT.
PERFORM VARYING TAB-INDX FROM 1 BY 1 UNTIL TAB-INDX > 10
RETURN SORT-FILE INTO TAB-ENTRY(TAB-INDX)
AT END DISPLAY ’Out Of Records In SORT File’
END-RETURN
END-PERFORM.

RELATED TASKS
“Requesting the sort or merge” on page 186

Choosing alternate collating sequences

You can sort or merge records on the EBCDIC or ASCII collating sequence, or on
another collating sequence. The default collating sequence is EBCDIC unless you
code the PROGRAM COLLATING SEQUENCE clause in the OBJECT-COMPUTER paragraph. To

188 Programming Guide

 override the sequence named in the PROGRAM COLLATING SEQUENCE clause, use the
COLLATING SEQUENCE phrase of the SORT or MERGE statement. You can use different
collating sequences for each SORT or MERGE statement in your program.

When you sort or merge an ASCII file, you have to request the ASCII collating
sequence. To do so, code the COLLATING SEQUENCE phrase of the SORT or MERGE
statement, where you define the alphabet-name as STANDARD-1 in the SPECIAL-NAMES
paragraph.

RELATED TASKS
“Specifying the collating sequence” on page 8

RELATED REFERENCES
SORT statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Sorting on windowed date fields

You can specify windowed date fields as sort keys if your version of DFSORT
supports the Y2PAST option. If so, DFSORT can sort or merge on the windowed
date sequence.

To sort on a windowed date field, use the DATE FORMAT clause to define a
windowed date field; then use the field as the sort key. DFSORT will use the same
century window as that used by the compilation unit. Specify the century window
with the YEARWINDOW compiler option.

DFSORT supports year-last windowed date fields, although the compiler itself
does not provide automatic windowing for year-last windowed date fields in
statements other than MERGE or SORT.

RELATED TASKS
“Sorting and merging by date” on page 541

RELATED REFERENCES
“YEARWINDOW” on page 331
DATE FORMAT clause (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
OPTION control statement (Y2PAST option) (DFSORT Application Programming
Guide)

Preserving the original sequence of records with equal keys

You can preserve the order of identical collating records from input to output in
one of these ways:
v Install DFSORT with the EQUALS option as the default.
v Provide, at run time, an OPTION card with the EQUALS keyword in the IGZSRTCD
data set.
v Use the WITH DUPLICATES IN ORDER phrase in the SORT statement. Doing so adds
the EQUALS keyword to the OPTION card in the IGZSRTCD data set.
Do not use the NOEQUALS keyword on the OPTION card and use the DUPLICATES
phrase, or the run unit will end.

RELATED REFERENCES
OPTION control statement (DFSORT Application Programming Guide)

Chapter 12. Sorting and merging files 189

Determining whether the sort or merge was successful
The DFSORT program returns one of the following completion codes after a sort or
merge has finished:
0 Successful completion of the sort or merge
16 Unsuccessful completion of the sort or merge

The completion code is stored in the SORT-RETURN special register. The contents of
this register change after each SORT or MERGE statement is performed.

You should test for successful completion after each SORT or MERGE statement. For
example:
SORT SORT-WORK-2
ON ASCENDING KEY SORT-KEY
INPUT PROCEDURE IS 600-SORT3-INPUT-PROC
OUTPUT PROCEDURE IS 700-SORT3-OUTPUT-PROC.
IF SORT-RETURN NOT=0
DISPLAY “SORT ENDED ABNORMALLY. SORT-RETURN = ” SORT-RETURN.
. . .
600-SORT3-INPUT-PROC SECTION.
. . .
700-SORT3-OUTPUT-PROC SECTION.
. . .

If you do not reference SORT-RETURN anywhere in your program, the COBOL run
time tests the return code. If the return code is 16, COBOL issues a run-time
diagnostic message.

If you test SORT-RETURN for one or more (but not necessarily all) SORT or MERGE
statements, the COBOL run time does not check the return code.

By default, DFSORT diagnostic messages are sent to the SYSOUT data set. If you
want to change this default, use the MSGDDN parameter of the DFSORT OPTION
control card or use the SORT-MESSAGE special register.

RELATED TASKS
“Checking for sort errors with NOFASTSRT” on page 193
“Controlling sort behavior” on page 193

RELATED REFERENCES
DFSORT messages and return codes (DFSORT Application Programming Guide)

Stopping a sort or merge operation prematurely

To stop a sort or merge operation, use the SORT-RETURN special register. Move the
integer 16 into the register in either of the following ways:
v Use MOVE in an input or output procedure.
Sort or merge processing will be stopped immediately after the next RELEASE or
RETURN statement is performed.
v Reset the register in a declarative section entered during processing of a USING or
GIVING file.
Sort or merge processing will be stopped immediately after the next implicit
RELEASE or RETURN is performed, which will occur after a record has been read
from or written to the USING or GIVING file.

190 Programming Guide

 Control then returns to the statement following the SORT or MERGE statement.

Improving sort performance with FASTSRT

Using the FASTSRT compiler option improves the performance of most sort
operations. With FASTSRT, the DFSORT product (instead of Enterprise COBOL)
performs the I/O on the input and output files you name in the following
statements:
SORT . . . USING
SORT . . . GIVING

The compiler issues informational messages to point out statements in which

FASTSRT can improve performance.

Usage notes
v You cannot use the DFSORT options SORTIN or SORTOUT if you use FASTSRT. The
FASTSRT compiler option does not apply to line-sequential files you use as USING
or GIVING files.
v If you specify file status and use FASTSRT, file status is ignored during the sort.

RELATED REFERENCES
“FASTSRT” on page 302
“FASTSRT requirements for JCL”
“FASTSRT requirements for sort input and output files”

FASTSRT requirements for JCL

In the run-time JCL, you must assign the sort work files (SORTWKnn) to a
direct-access device, not to tape data sets.

For the input and output files, the DCB parameter of the DD statement in the JCL
must match the FD description.

FASTSRT requirements for sort input and output files

If you specify FASTSRT but your code does not meet FASTSRT requirements, the
compiler issues a message and the COBOL run time performs the I/O instead.
Your program will not experience the performance improvements otherwise
possible.

To use FASTSRT, you must describe and process the input files to the sort, and the
output files from the sort, in these ways:
v You can mention only one input file in the USING phrase. You can mention only
one output file in the GIVING phrase.
v You cannot use an input procedure on an input file, nor an output procedure on
an output file.
Instead of using input or output procedures, you might be able to use DFSORT
control statements:
– INREC
– OUTREC
– INCLUDE
– OMIT
– STOPAFT
– SKIPREC

Chapter 12. Sorting and merging files 191

 – SUM

Many DFSORT functions perform the same operations that are common in input
or output procedures. Code the appropriate DFSORT control statements instead,
and place them either in the IGZSRTCD data set or the SORTCNTL data set.
v Do not code the LINAGE clause for the output FD entry.
v Do not code any INPUT declarative (for input files), OUTPUT declarative (for
output files), or file-specific declaratives (for either input or output files) to
apply to any FDs used in the sort.
v Do not use a variable relative file as the input or output file.
v Do not use a line-sequential file as the input or output file.
v For either an input or an output file, the record descriptions of the SD and FD
entry must define the same format (fixed or variable), and the largest records of
the SD and FD entry must define the same record length.

Note that if you code a RELATIVE KEY clause for an output file, it will not be set by
the sort.

Performance tip: If you block your input and output records, the sort performance
could be significantly improved.

QSAM requirements
v QSAM files must have a record format of fixed, variable, or spanned.
v A QSAM input file can be empty.
v To use the same QSAM file for both input and output, you must describe the file
using two different DD statements. For example, in the FILE-CONTROL SECTION
you might code the following:
SELECT FILE-IN ASSIGN INPUTF.
SELECT FILE-OUT ASSIGN OUTPUTF.

In the DATA DIVISION, you would have an FD entry for both FILE-IN and
FILE-OUT, where FILE-IN and FILE-OUT are identical except for their names.

In the PROCEDURE DIVISION, your SORT statement could look like this:
SORT file-name
ASCENDING KEY data-name-1
USING FILE-IN GIVING FILE-OUT

Then in your JCL, you would code:

//INPUTF DD DSN=INOUT,DISP=SHR
//OUTPUTF DD DSN=INOUT,DISP=SHR

where data set INOUT has been cataloged.

On the other hand, if you code the same file name in the USING and GIVING
phrases, or assign the input and output files the same ddname, then the file can
be accepted for FASTSRT either for input or output, but not both. If no other
conditions disqualify the file from being eligible for FASTSRT on input, then the
file will be accepted for FASTSRT on input, but not on output. If the file was
found to be ineligible for FASTSRT on input, it might be eligible for FASTSRT on
output.

A QSAM file that qualifies for FASTSRT can be accessed by the COBOL program
while the SORT statement is being performed. For example, if the file is used for

192 Programming Guide

 FASTSRT on input, you can access it in an output procedure; if it is used for FASTSRT
on output, you can access it in an input procedure.

VSAM requirements
v A VSAM input file must not be empty.
v VSAM files cannot be password-protected.
v You cannot name the same VSAM file in both the USING and GIVING phrases.
v A VSAM file that qualifies for FASTSRT cannot be accessed by the COBOL
program until the SORT statement processing is completed. For example, if the
file qualifies for FASTSRT on input, you cannot access it in an output procedure
and vice versa. (If you do so, OPEN will fail.)

RELATED TASKS
DFSORT Application Programming Guide

Checking for sort errors with NOFASTSRT

When you compile with the NOFASTSRT option, the sort process does not check for
errors in open, close, or input or output operations for files that you reference in
the USING or GIVING phrase of the SORT statement. Therefore, you might need to
check whether the SORT statement completed successfully.

The code required depends on whether you code a FILE STATUS clause or an ERROR
declarative for the files referenced in the USING and GIVING phrases, as shown in
the table below.

FILE STATUS ERROR

clause? declarative? Then do:
No No No special coding. Any failure during the sort process
causes the program to end abnormally.
Yes No Test the SORT-RETURN special register after the SORT
statement, and test the file status key. (Not recommended
if you want complete file status checking, because the file
status code is set but COBOL cannot check it.)
Maybe Yes In the ERROR declarative, set the SORT-RETURN special
register to 16 to stop the sort process and indicate that it
was not successful. Test the SORT-RETURN special register
after the SORT statement.

RELATED TASKS
“Determining whether the sort or merge was successful” on page 190
“Using file status keys” on page 228
“Coding ERROR declaratives” on page 227
“Stopping a sort or merge operation prematurely” on page 190

Controlling sort behavior

You can control several aspects of sort behavior by the following means:
v Inserting values in special registers before the sort
v Using compiler options
v Using control statement keywords

Chapter 12. Sorting and merging files 193

 You can also verify sort behavior by examining the contents of special registers
after the sort.

The table below lists those aspects of sort behavior that you can affect using
special registers or compiler options, and the equivalent sort control statement
keywords if any.

Or this control statement

Use this special register or (and keyword if
To set or test compiler option applicable)
Amount of main storage to be SORT-CORE-SIZE special register OPTION (keyword RESINV)
reserved
Amount of main storage to be SORT-CORE-SIZE special register OPTION (keywords
used MAINSIZE or MAINSIZE=MAX)
Modal length of records in a SORT-MODE-SIZE special register SMS=nnnnn
file with variable-length
records
Name of sort control statement SORT-CONTROL special register None
data set (default IGZSRTCD)
Name of sort message file SORT-MESSAGE special register OPTION (keyword MSGDDN)
(default SYSOUT)
Number of sort records SORT-FILE-SIZE special register OPTION (keyword FILSZ)
Sort completion code SORT-RETURN special register None
Century window for sorting or YEARWINDOW compiler option OPTION (keyword Y2PAST)
merging on date fields
Format of windowed date (Derived from PICTURE, USAGE, SORT (keyword
fields used as sort or merge and DATE FORMAT clauses) FORMAT=Y2x)
keys

Sort special registers

SORT-CONTROL is an eight-character COBOL special register that contains the
ddname of the sort control statement file. If you do not want to use the default
ddname IGZSRTCD, assign to SORT-CONTROL the ddname of the data set that
contains your sort control statements.

The SORT-CORE-SIZE, SORT-FILE-SIZE, SORT-MESSAGE, and SORT-MODE-SIZE special

registers are used in the SORT interface if you assign them nondefault values. At
run time, however, any parameters on control statements in the sort control
statement data set override corresponding settings in the special registers, and a
message to that effect is issued.

You can use the SORT-RETURN special register to determine whether the sort or
merge was successful and to stop a sort or merge operation prematurely.

A compiler warning message (W-level) is issued for each sort special register that
you set in a program.

RELATED TASKS
“Determining whether the sort or merge was successful” on page 190
“Stopping a sort or merge operation prematurely” on page 190
“Changing DFSORT defaults with control statements” on page 195

194 Programming Guide

 “Allocating space for sort files” on page 196
Using DFSORT program control statements (DFSORT Application Programming
Guide)

RELATED REFERENCES
“Default characteristics of the IGZSRTCD data set”

Changing DFSORT defaults with control statements

If you want to change DFSORT system defaults to improve sort performance, pass
information to DFSORT through control statements in the run-time data set
IGZSRTCD.

The control statements that you can include in the IGZSRTCD data set (in the
order listed) are:
1. SMS=nnnnn, where nnnnn is the length in bytes of the most frequently occurring
record size. (Use only if the SD file is variable length.)
2. OPTION (except keywords SORTIN or SORTOUT).
3. Other DFSORT control statements (except SORT, MERGE, RECORD, or END).

Code control statements between columns 2 and 71. You can continue a control
statement record by ending the line with a comma and starting the next line with a
new keyword. No labels or comments are allowed on a record, and a record itself
cannot be a DFSORT comment statement.

RELATED TASKS
“Controlling sort behavior” on page 193
Using DFSORT program control statements (DFSORT Application Programming
Guide)

RELATED REFERENCES
“Default characteristics of the IGZSRTCD data set”

Default characteristics of the IGZSRTCD data set

v LRECL=80.
v BLKSIZE=400.
v ddname is IGZSRTCD. (You can use a different ddname by coding it in the
SORT-CONTROL special register.)

The IGZSRTCD data set is optional. If you defined a ddname for the SORT-CONTROL
data set and you receive the message IGZ0027W, an OPEN failure occurred that
you should investigate.

RELATED TASKS
“Controlling sort behavior” on page 193

Allocating storage for sort or merge operations

Certain parameters set during the installation of DFSORT determine the amount of
storage it uses. In general, the more storage DFSORT has available, the faster the
sort or merge operations in your program will be.

DFSORT installation should not allocate all the free space in the region for its
COBOL operation, however. When your program is running, storage must be
available for the following:

Chapter 12. Sorting and merging files 195

 v COBOL programs that are dynamically called from an input or output procedure
v Language Environment run-time library modules
v Data management modules that can be loaded into the region for use by an
input or output procedure
v Any storage obtained by these modules

For a specific sort or merge operation, you can override the DFSORT storage
values set at installation. To do so, code the MAINSIZE and RESINV keywords on the
OPTION control statement in the sort control statement data set, or use the
SORT-CORE-SIZE special register.

Be careful not to override the storage allocation to the extent that all the free space
in the region is used for sort operations in your COBOL program.

RELATED TASKS
“Controlling sort behavior” on page 193
DFSORT Installation and Customization

RELATED REFERENCES
OPTION control statement (DFSORT Application Programming Guide)

Allocating space for sort files

If you use NOFASTSRT or an input procedure, DFSORT does not know the size of
the file that you are sorting. This can lead to an out-of-space condition when you
are sorting large files or to overallocation of resources when you are sorting small
files. If this occurs, you can use the SORT-FILE-SIZE special register to help
DFSORT determine the amount of resource (for example, workspace or hiperspace)
needed for the sort. Set SORT-FILE-SIZE to a reasonable estimate of the number of
input records. This value is passed to DFSORT as its FILSZ=En value.

RELATED TASKS
“Controlling sort behavior” on page 193
“Coding the input procedure” on page 182
DFSORT Application Programming Guide

Using checkpoint/restart with DFSORT

You cannot use checkpoints taken while DFSORT is running under z/OS to restart,
unless the checkpoints are taken by DFSORT. Checkpoints taken by your COBOL
program while SORT or MERGE statements execute are invalid; the restarts are
detected and canceled.

To take a checkpoint during a sort or merge operation, follow these steps:

1. Add a DD statement for SORTCKPT in the JCL.
2. Code the RERUN clause in the I-O-CONTROL paragraph:
RERUN ON assignment-name
3. Code the CKPT (or CHKPT) keyword on an OPTION control statement in the sort
control statement data set (default ddname IGZSRTCD).

RELATED CONCEPTS
Chapter 30, “Interrupts and checkpoint/restart” on page 519

196 Programming Guide

 RELATED TASKS
“Changing DFSORT defaults with control statements” on page 195
“Setting checkpoints” on page 519

Sorting under CICS

There is no IBM sort product that is supported under CICS. However, you can use
the SORT statement with a sort program you write that runs under CICS to sort
small amounts of data.

You must have both an input and an output procedure for the SORT statement. In
the input procedure, use the RELEASE statement to transfer records from the
COBOL program to the sort program before the sort is performed. In the output
procedure, use the RETURN statement to transfer records from the sort program to
the COBOL program after the sort is performed.

RELATED TASKS
“Coding the input procedure” on page 182
“Coding the output procedure” on page 183

RELATED REFERENCES
“CICS SORT application restrictions”

CICS SORT application restrictions

The following restrictions apply to COBOL applications that run under CICS and
use the SORT statement:
v SORT statements that include the USING or GIVING phrase are not supported.
v Sort control data sets are not supported. Data in the SORT-CONTROL special
register is ignored.
v Using the following CICS commands in the input or output procedures can
cause unpredictable results:
– CICS LINK
– CICS XCTL
– CICS RETURN
– CICS HANDLE
– CICS IGNORE
– CICS PUSH
– CICS POP
v You can use CICS commands other than those in the preceding list provided you
use the NOHANDLE or RESP option. Unpredictable results can occur if you do not
use NOHANDLE or RESP.

Chapter 12. Sorting and merging files 197

198 Programming Guide
Chapter 13. Processing XML documents
You can process XML documents from your COBOL program by using the XML
PARSE statement. The XML PARSE statement is the COBOL language interface to the
high-speed XML parser, which is part of the COBOL run time. Processing an XML
document involves control being passed to and received from the XML parser. You
start this exchange of control with the XML PARSE statement, which specifies a
processing procedure that receives control from the XML parser to handle the
parser events. You use special registers in your processing procedure to exchange
information with the parser.

Use these COBOL facilities to process XML documents:

v XML PARSE statement to begin the XML parse and to identify the document and
your processing procedure
v Processing procedure to control the parse: receive and process the XML events
and associated document fragments and optionally handle exceptions
v Special registers to receive and pass information:
– XML-CODE to determine the status of XML parsing
– XML-EVENT to receive the name of each XML event
– XML-TEXT to receive XML document fragments from an alphanumeric
document
– XML-NTEXT to receive XML document fragments from a national document

RELATED CONCEPTS
“XML parser in COBOL”

RELATED TASKS
“Accessing XML documents” on page 201
“Parsing XML documents” on page 201
“Processing XML events” on page 202
“Handling errors in XML documents” on page 215
“Understanding XML document encoding” on page 213

RELATED REFERENCE
Appendix D, “XML reference material” on page 599
XML specification (www.w3c.org/XML/)

XML parser in COBOL

Enterprise COBOL provides an event-based interface that enables you to parse
XML documents and transform them to COBOL data structures. The XML parser
finds fragments (associated with XML events) within the document, and your
processing procedure acts on these fragments. You code your procedure to handle
each XML event. Throughout this operation, control passes back and forth between
the parser and your procedure.

You start this exchange with the parser by using the XML PARSE statement, in which
you designate your processing procedure. Execution of this XML PARSE statement
begins the parse and establishes your processing procedure with the parser. Each
execution of your procedure causes the XML parser to continue analyzing the XML
document and report the next event, passing back to your procedure the fragment

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 199

 that it finds, such as the start of a new element. You can also specify on the XML
PARSE statement two imperative statements to which you want control to be passed
at the end of the parse: one when a normal end occurs and one when an exception
condition exists.

This figure gives a high-level overview of the basic exchange of control between
the parser and your program:

XML parsing flow overview

Normally, parsing continues until the entire XML document has been parsed.

When the XML parser parses XML documents, it checks them for most aspects of
well formedness as defined in the XML specification. A document is well formed if
it adheres to the XML syntax and follows some additional rules such as proper use
of end tags and uniqueness of attribute names.

RELATED TASKS
“Accessing XML documents” on page 201
“Parsing XML documents” on page 201
“Writing procedures to process XML” on page 208
“Handling errors in XML documents” on page 215
“Understanding XML document encoding” on page 213

RELATED REFERENCE
XML specification (www.w3c.org/XML/)
“XML conformance” on page 606

200 Programming Guide

Accessing XML documents
Before you can parse an XML document with an XML PARSE statement, you must
make the document available to your program. The most likely method of
acquiring the document is by retrieval from an MQSeries message, a CICS
transient queue or communication area, or an IMS message processing queue.

If the XML document that you want to parse is held in a file, use ordinary COBOL
facilities to place the document into a data item in your program:
v A FILE-CONTROL entry to define the file to your program
v The OPEN statement to open the file
v The READ statement to read all the records from the file into an alphanumeric or
national data item that is defined in the WORKING-STORAGE SECTION or
LOCAL-STORAGE SECTION of your program
v Optionally the STRING statement to string all of the separate records together into
one continuous stream, to remove extraneous blanks, and to handle
variable-length records

RELATED TASKS
“Coding COBOL programs to run under CICS” on page 375
Chapter 22, “Developing COBOL programs for IMS” on page 391

Parsing XML documents

To parse XML documents, use the XML PARSE statement, as in the following
example:
XML PARSE XMLDOCUMENT
PROCESSING PROCEDURE XMLEVENT-HANDLER
ON EXCEPTION
DISPLAY ’XML document error ’ XML-ERROR
STOP RUN
NOT ON EXCEPTION
DISPLAY ’XML document was successfully parsed.’
END-XML

In the XML PARSE statement you first identify the data item (XMLDOCUMENT in the
example) that contains the XML document character stream. In the DATA DIVISION,
you can declare the identifier as an alphanumeric data item or as a national data
item. If it is alphanumeric, its contents must be encoded with one of the supported
single-byte EBCDIC or ASCII character sets. If it is a national data item, its
contents must be encoded with Unicode UTF-16 CCSID 1200. Alphanumeric XML
documents that do not contain an encoding declaration are parsed with the code
page that you specify in the CODEPAGE compiler option.

Next you specify the name of the procedure (XMLEVENT-HANDLER in the example)
that is to handle the XML events from the document.

In addition, you can specify either or both of the following imperative statements
to receive control at the end of the parse:
v ON EXCEPTION, to receive control when an unhandled exception occurs
v NOT ON EXCEPTION, to receive control otherwise

You can end the XML PARSE statement with END-XML. Use this scope terminator to
nest your XML PARSE statement in a conditional statement or in another XML PARSE
statement.

Chapter 13. Processing XML documents 201

 The exchange of control between the XML parser and your processing procedure
continues until one of the following occurs:
v The entire XML document has been parsed, indicated by the END-OF-DOCUMENT
event.
v The parser detects an error in the document and signals an EXCEPTION event.
Your processing procedure does not reset the special register XML-CODE to zero
before returning to the parser.
v You terminate the parsing process deliberately by setting the special register
XML-CODE to -1 before returning to the parser.

RELATED TASKS
“Understanding XML document encoding” on page 213

RELATED REFERENCES
XML PARSE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
Control flow (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Processing XML events

Use the XML-EVENT special register to determine the event that the parser passes to
your processing procedure. XML-EVENT contains an event name such as
’START-OF-ELEMENT’. The parser passes the content for the event in special register
XML-TEXT or XML-NTEXT, depending on the type of the XML identifier in your XML
PARSE statement.

The events are shown in basically the order that they would occur for this sample
XML document. The text shown under “Sample XML text” comes from this
sample; exact text is shown between these delimiters: <<>>:
<?xml version=“1.0” encoding=“ibm-1140” standalone=“yes” ?>
<!--This document is just an example-->
<sandwich>
<bread type=“baker&apos;s best” />
<?spread please use real mayonnaise ?>
<meat>Ham &amp; turkey</meat>
<filling>Cheese, lettuce, tomato, etc.</filling>
<![CDATA[We should add a <relish> element in future!]]>
</sandwich>junk
START-OF-DOCUMENT
Description
Occurs once, at the beginning of parsing the document. XML text
is the entire document, including any line-control characters, such
as LF (Line Feed) or NL (New Line).
Sample XML text
The text for this sample is 336 characters in length.

VERSION-INFORMATION
Description
Occurs within the optional XML declaration for the version
information. XML text contains the version value. An XML
declaration is XML text that specifies the version of XML being used
and the encoding of the document.
Sample XML text
<<1.0>>

202 Programming Guide

ENCODING-DECLARATION
Description
Occurs within the XML declaration for the optional encoding
declaration. XML text contains the encoding value.
Sample XML text
<<ibm-1140>>

STANDALONE-DECLARATION
Description
Occurs within the XML declaration for the optional standalone
declaration. XML text contains the standalone value.
Sample XML text
<<yes>>

DOCUMENT-TYPE-DECLARATION
Description
Occurs when the parser finds a document type declaration (DTD).
Document type declarations begin with the character sequence
’<!DOCTYPE’ and end with a ’>’ character, with some fairly
complicated grammar rules describing the content in between. (See
the XML specification for details.) For this event, XML text contains
the entire declaration, including the opening and closing character
sequences. This is the only event where XML text includes the
delimiters.
Sample XML text
The sample does not have a document type declaration.

COMMENT
Description
Occurs for any comments in the XML document. XML text contains
the data between the opening and closing comment delimiters,
’<!--’ and ’-->’, respectively.
Sample XML text
<<This document is just an example>>

START-OF-ELEMENT
Description
Occurs once for each element start tag or empty element tag. XML
text is set to the element name.
Sample XML text
In the order that they occur as START-OF-ELEMENT events:
1. <<sandwich>>
2. <<bread>>
3. <<meat>>

Chapter 13. Processing XML documents 203

 4. <<filling>>

ATTRIBUTE-NAME
Description
Occurs for each attribute in an element start tag or empty element
tag, after recognizing a valid name. XML text contains the attribute
name.
Sample XML text
<<type>>

ATTRIBUTE-CHARACTERS
Description
Occurs for each fragment of an attribute value. XML text contains
the fragment. An attribute value normally consists of a single
string only, even if it is split across lines. The attribute value might
consist of multiple events, however.
Sample XML text
In the order that they occur as ATTRIBUTE-CHARACTERS events:
1. <<baker>>
2. <<s best>>

Notice that the value of the ’type’ attribute in the sample consists
of three fragments: the string ’baker’, the single character ’’’, and
the string ’s best’. The single character ’’’ fragment is passed
separately as an ATTRIBUTE-CHARACTER event.

ATTRIBUTE-CHARACTER
Description
Occurs in attribute values for the predefined entity references
’&amp;’, ’&apos;’, ’&gt;’, ’&lt;’, and ’&quot;’. See the XML
specification for details of predefined entities.
Sample XML text
<<’>>

ATTRIBUTE-NATIONAL-CHARACTER
Description
Occurs in attribute values for numeric character references
(Unicode code points or “scalar values”) of the form ’&#dd..;’ or
’&#hh..;’, where ’d’ and ’h’ represent decimal and hexadecimal
digits, respectively. If the scalar value of the national character is
greater than 65,535 (NX’FFFF’), XML-NTEXT contains two encoding
units (a surrogate pair) and has a length of 4 bytes. This pair of
encoding units together represents a single character. Do not create
characters that are not valid by splitting this pair.
Sample XML text
The sample does not contain a numeric character reference.

204 Programming Guide

END-OF-ELEMENT
Description
Occurs once for each element end tag or empty element tag when
the parser recognizes the closing angle bracket of the tag.
Sample XML text
<<bread>>

PROCESSING-INSTRUCTION-TARGET
Description
Occurs when the parser recognizes the name following the
processing instruction (PI) opening character sequence, ’<?’. PIs
allow XML documents to contain special instructions for
applications.
Sample XML text
<<spread>>

PROCESSING-INSTRUCTION-DATA
Description
Occurs for the data following the PI target, up to but not including
the PI closing character sequence, ’?>’. XML text contains the PI
data, which includes trailing, but not leading white space
characters.
Sample XML text
<<please use real mayonnaise >>

CONTENT-CHARACTERS
Description
This event represents the principal part of an XML document: the
character data between element start and end tags. XML text
contains this data, which usually consists of a single string only,
even if it is split across lines. If the content of an element includes
any references or other elements, the complete content might
consist of several events. The parser also uses the
CONTENT-CHARACTERS event to pass the text of CDATA sections to
your program.
Sample XML text
In the order that they occur as CONTENT-CHARACTERS events:
1. <<Ham >>
2. << turkey>>
3. <<Cheese, lettuce, tomato, etc.>>
4. <<We should add a <relish> element in future!>>

Notice that the content of the ’meat’ element in the sample consists
of the string ’Ham ’, the character ’&’ and the string ’ turkey’. The
single character ’&’ fragment is passed separately as a
CONTENT-CHARACTER event. Also notice the trailing and leading
spaces, respectively, in these two string fragments.

Chapter 13. Processing XML documents 205

 CONTENT-CHARACTER
Description
Occurs in element content for the predefined entity references
’&amp;’, ’&apos;’, ’&gt;’, ’&lt;’, and ’&quot;’. See the XML
specification for details of predefined entities.
Sample XML text
<<&>>

CONTENT-NATIONAL-CHARACTER
Description
Occurs in element content for numeric character references
(Unicode code points or “scalar values”) of the form ’&#dd..;’ or
’&#hh..;’, where ’d’ and ’h’ represent decimal and hexadecimal
digits, respectively. If the scalar value of the national character is
greater than 65,535 (NX’FFFF’), XML-NTEXT contains two encoding
units (a surrogate pair) and has a length of 4 bytes. This pair of
encoding units together represents a single character. Do not create
characters that are not valid by splitting this pair.
Sample XML text
The sample does not contain a numeric character reference.

END-OF-ELEMENT
Description
Occurs once for each element end tag or empty element tag when
the parser recognizes the closing angle bracket of the tag. XML text
contains the element name.
Sample XML text
In the order that they occur as END-OF-ELEMENT events:
1. <<bread>>
2. <<meat>>
3. <<filling>>
4. <<sandwich>>

START-OF-CDATA-SECTION
Description
Occurs at the start of a CDATA section. CDATA sections begin with
the string ’<![CDATA[’ and end with the string ’]]>’. Such sections
are used to “escape” blocks of text containing characters that
would otherwise be recognized as XML markup. XML text always
contains the opening character sequence ’<![CDATA[’. The parser
passes the content of a CDATA section between these delimiters as
a single CONTENT-CHARACTERS event.
Sample XML text
<<<![CDATA[>>

206 Programming Guide

END-OF-CDATA-SECTION
Description
Occurs when the parser recognizes the end of a CDATA section.
Sample XML text
<<]]>>>

UNKNOWN-REFERENCE-IN-ATTRIBUTE
Description
Occurs within attribute values for entity references other than the
five predefined entity references, as shown for
ATTRIBUTE-CHARACTER above.
Sample XML text
The sample does not have any unknown entity references.

UNKNOWN-REFERENCE-IN-CONTENT
Description
Occurs within element content for entity references other than the
predefined entity references, as shown for CONTENT-CHARACTER
above.
Sample XML text
The sample does not have any unknown entity references.

END-OF-DOCUMENT
Description
Occurs when document parsing has completed
Sample XML text
XML text is empty for the END-OF-DOCUMENT event.

EXCEPTION
Description
Occurs when an error in processing the XML document is detected.
For encoding conflict exceptions, which are signaled before parsing
begins, XML-TEXT is either zero-length or contains just the encoding
declaration value from the document.
Sample XML text
The part of the document that was parsed up to and including the
point where the exception (the superfluous ’junk’ after the
<sandwich> element end tag) was detected.

RELATED REFERENCE
XML-EVENT (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
4.6 Predefined entities (XML specification at www.w3.org/TR/REC-xml#sec-
predefined-ent)
2.8 Prolog and document type declaration (XML specification at
www.w3.org/TR/REC-xml#sec-prolog-dtd)

Chapter 13. Processing XML documents 207

 Writing procedures to process XML
In your processing procedure, code the statements to handle XML events.

For each event that the parser encounters, it passes information to your processing
procedure in several special registers, as shown in the following table. Use these
registers to populate your data structures and to control your processing.

Special
register Contents Implicit definition and usage
XML-EVENT 1
The name of the XML event PICTURE X(30) USAGE DISPLAY
VALUE SPACE
XML-CODE An exception code or zero for each PICTURE S9(9) USAGE BINARY
XML event VALUE ZERO
XML-TEXT1 Text (corresponding to the event that Variable-length alphanumeric data
the parser encountered) from the XML item; 16-MB size limit
document if you specify an
alphanumeric data item for the XML
PARSE identifier
XML-NTEXT1 Text (corresponding to the event that Variable-length national data item;
the parser encountered) from the XML 16-MB size limit
document if you specify a national data
item for the XML PARSE identifier

1. You cannot use this special register as a receiving data item.

When used in nested programs, these special registers are implicitly defined as
GLOBAL in the outermost program.

Understanding the contents of XML-CODE

When the parser returns control to your XML PARSE statement, XML-CODE contains
the most recent value set by the parser or your processing procedure.

For all events except the EXCEPTION event, the value of the XML-CODE special register
is zero. If you set the XML-CODE special register to -1 before you return control to
the XML parser for an event other than EXCEPTION, processing stops with a
user-initiated exception indicated by the returned XML-CODE value of -1. The result
of changing the XML-CODE to any other nonzero value before returning from any
event is undefined.

For the EXCEPTION event, special register XML-CODE contains the exception code. The
following figure shows the flow of control between the parser and your processing
procedure and how XML-CODE is used to pass information between the two. The
off-page connectors, such as , connect the multiple charts in this chapter. In
particular, in the following figure connects to the chart Control flow for XML
exceptions (page 215), and connects from XML CCSID exception flow control
(page 218).

Control flow between XML parser and program, showing XML-CODE usage

208 Programming Guide

Using XML-TEXT and XML-NTEXT
The special registers XML-TEXT and XML-NTEXT are mutually exclusive. The type of
XML identifier that you specify determines which special register is set, except for
the ATTRIBUTE-NATIONAL-CHARACTER and CONTENT-NATIONAL-CHARACTER events. For
these events, XML-NTEXT is set regardless of the data item that you specify for the
XML PARSE identifier.

When the parser sets XML-TEXT, XML-NTEXT is undefined (length of 0). When the
parser sets XML-NTEXT, XML-TEXT is undefined (length of 0).

To determine how many national characters XML-NTEXT contains, use the LENGTH
function. LENGTH OF XML-NTEXT contains the number of bytes, rather than
characters, used by XML-NTEXT.

Chapter 13. Processing XML documents 209

 Transforming XML text to COBOL data items
Because XML data is neither fixed length nor fixed format, you need to use special
techniques when you move the XML data to COBOL data items.

For alphanumeric items, decide whether the XML data should go at the left
(default) end of your COBOL item, or at the right end. If it should go at the right
end, specify the JUSTIFIED RIGHT clause in the declaration of the COBOL item.

Give special consideration to numeric XML values, particularly “decorated”

monetary values such as ’$1,234.00’ and ’$1234’. These mean the same thing in
XML but have completely different declarations as COBOL sending fields. Use one
of these techniques:
v If the format is reasonably regular, use a MOVE to an alphanumeric item,
redefined as an appropriate numeric-edited item. Then do the final move to the
numeric (operational) item by moving from, and thus de-editing, the
numeric-edited item. (A regular format would have the same number of digits
after the decimal point, always a comma separator for values greater than 999,
and so on.)
v For simplicity and vastly increased flexibility, use the following for alphanumeric
XML data:
– Function NUMVAL to extract and decode simple numeric values from XML data
representing plain numbers
– Function NUMVAL-C to extract and decode numeric values from XML data
representing monetary quantities

Note, however, that use of these functions is at the expense of performance.

Restriction on your processing procedure

Your processing procedure must not directly execute an XML PARSE statement.
However, if your processing procedure passes control to a method or outermost
program using an INVOKE or CALL statement, the target method or program can
execute the same or a different XML PARSE statement. You can also execute the same
XML statement or different XML statements simultaneously from a program that is
executing on multiple threads.

Ending your processing procedure

The compiler inserts a return mechanism after the last statement in your
processing procedure. You can code a STOP RUN statement in your processing
procedure to terminate the run unit. However, the GOBACK or EXIT PROGRAM
statements do not return control to the parser. Using either statement in your
processing procedure results in a severe error.

“Example: parsing XML” on page 211

RELATED TASKS
“Using national data (Unicode) in COBOL” on page 105

RELATED REFERENCES
“XML exceptions that allow continuation” on page 599
“XML exceptions that do not allow continuation” on page 603
XML-CODE (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
XML-EVENT (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
XML-NTEXT (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
XML-TEXT (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

210 Programming Guide

Example: parsing XML
This example shows the basic organization of an XML PARSE statement and a
processing procedure. The XML document is given in the source so that you can
follow the flow of the parse. The output of the program is given below. Compare
the document to the output of the program to follow the interaction of the parser
and the processing procedure and to match events to document fragments.
Process flag(i,i)
Identification division.
Program-id. xmlsampl.

Data division.
Working-storage section.
******************************************************************
* XML document, encoded as initial values of data items. *
******************************************************************
1 xml-document.
2 pic x(39) value ’<?xml version=“1.0” encoding=“ibm-1140”’.
2 pic x(19) value ’ standalone=“yes”?>’.
2 pic x(39) value ’<!--This document is just an example-->’.
2 pic x(10) value ’<sandwich>’.
2 pic x(35) value ’ <bread type=“baker&apos;s best”/>’.
2 pic x(41) value ’ <?spread please use real mayonnaise ?>’.
2 pic x(31) value ’ <meat>Ham &amp; turkey</meat>’.
2 pic x(40) value ’ <filling>Cheese, lettuce, tomato, etc.’.
2 pic x(10) value ’</filling>’.
2 pic x(35) value ’ <![CDATA[We should add a <relish>’.
2 pic x(22) value ’ element in future!]]>’.
2 pic x(31) value ’ <listprice>$4.99 </listprice>’.
2 pic x(27) value ’ <discount>0.10</discount>’.
2 pic x(11) value ’</sandwich>’.
1 xml-document-length computational pic 999.

******************************************************************
* Sample data definitions for processing numeric XML content. *
******************************************************************
1 current-element pic x(30).
1 xfr-ed pic x(9) justified.
1 xfr-ed-1 redefines xfr-ed pic 999999.99.
1 list-price computational pic 9v99 value 0.
1 discount computational pic 9v99 value 0.
1 display-price pic $$9.99.

Procedure division.
mainline section.

XML PARSE xml-document PROCESSING PROCEDURE xml-handler

ON EXCEPTION
display ’XML document error ’ XML-CODE
NOT ON EXCEPTION
display ’XML document successfully parsed’
END-XML

******************************************************************
* Process the transformed content and calculate promo price. *
******************************************************************
display ’ ’
display ’-----+++++***** Using information from XML ’
’*****+++++-----’
display ’ ’
move list-price to display-price
display ’ Sandwich list price: ’ display-price
compute display-price = list-price * (1 - discount)
display ’ Promotional price: ’ display-price
display ’ Get one today!’

goback.

Chapter 13. Processing XML documents 211

 xml-handler section.
evaluate XML-EVENT
* ==> Order XML events most frequent first
when ’START-OF-ELEMENT’
display ’Start element tag: <’ XML-TEXT ’>’
move XML-TEXT to current-element
when ’CONTENT-CHARACTERS’
display ’Content characters: <’ XML-TEXT ’>’
* ==> Transform XML content to operational COBOL data item...
evaluate current-element
when ’listprice’
* ==> Using function NUMVAL-C...
compute list-price = function numval-c(XML-TEXT)
when ’discount’
* ==> Using de-editing of a numeric edited item...
move XML-TEXT to xfr-ed
move xfr-ed-1 to discount
end-evaluate
when ’END-OF-ELEMENT’
display ’End element tag: <’ XML-TEXT ’>’
move spaces to current-element
when ’START-OF-DOCUMENT’
compute xml-document-length = function length(XML-TEXT)
display ’Start of document: length=’ xml-document-length
’ characters.’
when ’END-OF-DOCUMENT’
display ’End of document.’
when ’VERSION-INFORMATION’
display ’Version: <’ XML-TEXT ’>’
when ’ENCODING-DECLARATION’
display ’Encoding: <’ XML-TEXT ’>’
when ’STANDALONE-DECLARATION’
display ’Standalone: <’ XML-TEXT ’>’
when ’ATTRIBUTE-NAME’
display ’Attribute name: <’ XML-TEXT ’>’
when ’ATTRIBUTE-CHARACTERS’
display ’Attribute value characters: <’ XML-TEXT ’>’
when ’ATTRIBUTE-CHARACTER’
display ’Attribute value character: <’ XML-TEXT ’>’
when ’START-OF-CDATA-SECTION’
display ’Start of CData: <’ XML-TEXT ’>’
when ’END-OF-CDATA-SECTION’
display ’End of CData: <’ XML-TEXT ’>’
when ’CONTENT-CHARACTER’
display ’Content character: <’ XML-TEXT ’>’
when ’PROCESSING-INSTRUCTION-TARGET’
display ’PI target: <’ XML-TEXT ’>’
when ’PROCESSING-INSTRUCTION-DATA’
display ’PI data: <’ XML-TEXT ’>’
when ’COMMENT’
display ’Comment: <’ XML-TEXT ’>’
when ’EXCEPTION’
compute xml-document-length = function length (XML-TEXT)
display ’Exception ’ XML-CODE ’ at offset ’
xml-document-length ’.’
when other
display ’Unexpected XML event: ’ XML-EVENT ’.’
end-evaluate
.
End program xmlsampl.

Output from parse example: From the following output you can see which events
of the parse came from which fragments of the document:

212 Programming Guide

 Start of document: length=390 characters.
Version: <1.0>
Encoding: <ibm-1140>
Standalone: <yes>
Comment: <This document is just an example>
Start element tag: <sandwich>
Content characters: < >
Start element tag: <bread>
Attribute name: <type>
Attribute value characters: <baker>
Attribute value character: <’>
Attribute value characters: <s best>
End element tag: <bread>
Content characters: < >
PI target: <spread>
PI data: <please use real mayonnaise >
Content characters: < >
Start element tag: <meat>
Content characters: <Ham >
Content character: <&>
Content characters: < turkey>
End element tag: <meat>
Content characters: < >
Start element tag: <filling>
Content characters: <Cheese, lettuce, tomato, etc.>
End element tag: <filling>
Content characters: < >
Start of CData: <<![CDATA[>
Content characters: <We should add a <relish> element in future!>
End of CData: <]]>>
Content characters: < >
Start element tag: <listprice>
Content characters: <$4.99 >
End element tag: <listprice>
Content characters: < >
Start element tag: <discount>
Content characters: <0.10>
End element tag: <discount>
End element tag: <sandwich>
End of document.
XML document successfully parsed

-----+++++***** Using information from XML *****+++++-----

Sandwich list price: $4.99

Promotional price: $4.49
Get one today!

Understanding XML document encoding

The XML PARSE statement supports only XML documents that contain one of the
following types of data items:
v National data items that are encoded using Unicode UTF-16
v Alphanumeric data items that are encoded using one of the supported
single-byte EBCDIC or ASCII character sets

If your XML document includes an encoding declaration, ensure that it is

consistent with the encoding information provided by your XML PARSE statement
and with the basic encoding of the document. The parser determines the encoding
of a document by using up to three sources of information in the following order:
1. The initial characters of the document
2. The encoding information provided by your XML PARSE statement

Chapter 13. Processing XML documents 213

 3. If step 2 succeeds, an encoding declaration in the document

Thus if the XML document begins with an XML declaration that includes an
encoding declaration specifying one of the supported code pages, the parser
honors the encoding declaration if it does not conflict with either the basic
document encoding or the encoding information from the XML PARSE statement.

If the XML document does not have an XML declaration, or if the XML declaration
omits the encoding declaration, the parser uses the encoding information from
your XML PARSE statement to process the document, as long as it does not conflict
with the basic document encoding.

The parser signals an XML exception event if it finds a conflict among these
sources.

Specifying the code page

You can specify the encoding information for the document in the XML
declaration, with which most XML documents begin. This is an example of an
XML declaration that includes an encoding declaration:
<?xml version=“1.0” encoding=“ibm-1140” ?>

Specify the encoding declaration in either of the following ways:

v Specify the CCSID number (with or without any number of leading zeros),
prefixed by any of the following (in any mixture of uppercase or lowercase):
– IBM-
– IBM_
– CP
– CP-
– CP_
– CCSID-
– CCSID_
v Use one of the following supported aliases (in any mixture of uppercase or
lowercase):

Code page Supported aliases

037 EBCDIC-CP-US, EBCDIC-CP-CA, EBCDIC-CP-WT, EBCDIC-CP-NL
500 EBCDIC-CP-BE, EBCDIC-CP-CH
813 iso-8859-7, iso_8859-7
819 iso-8859-1, iso_8859-1
920 iso-8859-9, iso_8859-9
1200 UTF-16

Parsing documents in other code pages

You can parse XML documents that are encoded in code pages other than the
explicitly supported single-byte code pages by converting them to Unicode UTF-16
in a national data item, using the NATIONAL-OF function. You can then convert the
individual pieces of document text passed to your processing procedure in special
register XML-NTEXT back to the original code page as necessary, using the
DISPLAY-OF function.

214 Programming Guide

 RELATED TASKS
“Converting national data” on page 107

RELATED REFERENCES
Coded character sets for XML documents (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Handling errors in XML documents

Use these facilities to handle errors in your XML document:
v Your processing procedure
v The ON EXCEPTION phrase of your XML PARSE statement
v Special register XML-CODE

When the XML parser detects an error in an XML document, it generates an XML
exception event. The parser returns this exception event by passing control to your
processing procedure along with the following information:
v The special register XML-EVENT contains ’EXCEPTION’.
v The special register XML-CODE contains the numeric exception code.
v XML-TEXT contains the document text up to and including the point where the
exception was detected.

If the value of the error code is within one of the following ranges:
v 1-99
v 100,001-165,535
v 200,001-265,535

you might be able to handle the exception in your processing procedure and
continue the parse. If the error code has any other nonzero value, the parse cannot
continue. The exceptions for encoding conflicts (50-99 and 300-499) are signaled
before the parse of the document is started. For these exceptions, XML-TEXT is either
zero length or contains just the encoding declaration value from the document.

Exceptions in the range 1-49 are fatal errors according to the XML specification,
therefore the parser does not continue normal parsing even if you handle the
exception. However the parser does continue scanning for further errors until it
reaches the end of the document or encounters an error that does not allow
continuation. For these exceptions, the parser does not signal any further normal
events, except for the END-OF-DOCUMENT event.

Use the following figure to understand the flow of control between the parser and
your processing procedure. It illustrates how you can handle certain exceptions
and how you use XML-CODE to identify the exception. The off-page connectors, such
as ,connect the multiple charts in this chapter. In particular, in the following
figure connects to the chart XML CCSID exception flow control (page 218). Within
this figure / serves both as an off-page and an on-page connector.

Control flow for XML exceptions

Chapter 13. Processing XML documents 215

 Unhandled exceptions
If you do not want to handle the exception, return control to the parser without
changing the value of XML-CODE. The parser then transfers control to the statement
that you specify on the ON EXCEPTION phrase. If you do not code an ON EXCEPTION
phrase, control is transferred to the end of the XML PARSE statement.

Handling exceptions
To handle the exception event in your processing procedure, do these steps:
1. Use the contents of XML-CODE to guide your actions.
2. Set XML-CODE to zero to indicate that you have handled the exception.
3. Return control to the parser. The exception condition then no longer exists.

216 Programming Guide

 If no unhandled exceptions occur before the end of parsing, control is passed to
the statement that you specify on the NOT ON EXCEPTION phrase (normal end of
parse). If you do not code a NOT ON EXCEPTION phrase, control is passed to the end
of the XML PARSE statement. The special register XML-CODE contains zero.

You can handle exceptions in this way only if the exception code passed in
XML-CODE is within one of the following ranges:
v 1-99
v 100,001-165,535
v 200,001-265,535

Otherwise, the parser signals no further events, and passes control to the statement
that you specify on your ON EXCEPTION phrase. In this case, XML-CODE contains the
original exception number, even if you set XML-CODE to zero in your processing
procedure before returning control to the parser.

If you return control to the parser with XML-CODE set to a nonzero value different
from the original exception code, the results are undefined.

Terminating the parse

You can terminate parsing deliberately by setting XML-CODE to -1 in your processing
procedure before returning to the parser from any normal XML event (that is, not
an EXCEPTION event). You can use this technique when you have seen enough of
the document for your purposes or have detected some irregularity in the
document that precludes further meaningful processing.

In this case, the parser does not signal any further events, although an exception
condition exists. Therefore control returns to your ON EXCEPTION phrase, if you
have specified it. There you can test if XML-CODE is -1, which indicates that you
terminated the parse deliberately. If you do not specify an ON EXCEPTION phrase,
control returns to the end of the XML PARSE statement.

You can also terminate parsing after any exception XML event by returning to the
parser without changing XML-CODE. The result is similar to the result of deliberate
termination, except that the parser returns to the XML PARSE statement with
XML-CODE containing the exception number.

CCSID conflict exception

A special case applies to exception events where the exception code in XML-CODE is
in the range 100,001 through 165,535 or 200,001 through 265,535. These ranges of
exception codes indicate that the CCSID of the document (determined by
examining the beginning of the document, including any encoding declaration)
conflicts with the CCSID for the XML PARSE statement.

In this case you can determine the CCSID of the document by subtracting 100,000
or 200,000 from the value of XML-CODE (depending on whether it is an EBCDIC
CCSID or ASCII CCSID, respectively). For instance, if XML-CODE contains 101,140,
the CCSID of the document is 1140.

The CCSID for your XML PARSE statement depends on the type of the XML PARSE
identifier. If the identifier is a national data item, the CCSID is 1200, indicating
Unicode. If the XML PARSE identifier is alphanumeric, the CCSID is that specified by
the CODEPAGE compiler option value.

Chapter 13. Processing XML documents 217

 The parser takes one of three actions after returning from your processing
procedure for a CCSID conflict exception event:
v If you set XML-CODE to zero, the parser uses the CCSID for the XML PARSE
statement: 1200 for national items; the CODEPAGE compiler option value otherwise.
v If you set XML-CODE to the CCSID of the document (that is, the original XML-CODE
value minus 100,000 or 200,000 appropriately), the parser uses the CCSID of the
document. This is the only case where the parser continues when XML-CODE has a
nonzero value upon returning from your processing procedure.
v Otherwise, the parser stops processing the document, and returns control to
your XML PARSE statement with an exception condition. XML-CODE contains the
exception code that was originally passed to the exception event.

The following figure illustrates these actions. The off-page connectors, such as ,
connect the multiple charts in this chapter. In particular, in the following figure
connects to Control flow between XML parser and program, showing XML-CODE
usage (page 208) and connects from Control flow for XML exceptions (page
215).

XML CCSID exception flow control

218 Programming Guide

RELATED REFERENCES
“XML exceptions that allow continuation” on page 599
“XML exceptions that do not allow continuation” on page 603
XML-CODE (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Chapter 13. Processing XML documents 219

220 Programming Guide
Chapter 14. Handling errors
Anticipate possible coding or system problems by putting code into your program
to handle them. Such code is like built-in distress flares or lifeboats. With this code,
output data and files should not be corrupted, and the user will know when there
is a problem.

Your error-handling code can take actions such as handling the situation, issuing a
message, or halting the program. In any event, coding a warning message is a
good idea.

You might create error-detection routines for data-entry errors or for errors as your
installation defines them.

COBOL contains special elements to help you anticipate and correct error
conditions:
v User-requested dumps
v ON OVERFLOW in STRING and UNSTRING operations
v ON SIZE ERROR in arithmetic operations
v Technique handling for input or output errors
v ON EXCEPTION or ON OVERFLOW in CALL statements
v User-written routines for handling errors

RELATED TASKS
“Handling errors in joining and splitting strings” on page 222
“Handling errors in arithmetic operations” on page 223
“Handling errors in input and output operations” on page 223
“Handling errors when calling programs” on page 233
“Writing routines for handling errors” on page 233

Requesting dumps
You can obtain a formatted dump of the run-time environment by calling the
Language Environment service CEE3DMP. To obtain a system dump, you can
request an abend without cleanup by calling the Language Environment service
CEE3ABD with a cleanup value of zero.

Creating a formatted dump

You can cause a dump of the Language Environment run-time environment and
the member language libraries at any prespecified point in your program. Simply
code a call to the Language Environment callable service CEE3DMP. For example:
77 Title-1 Pic x(80) Display.
77 Options Pic x(255) Display.
01 Feedback-code Pic x(12) Display.
. . .
Call “CEE3DMP” Using Title-1, Options, Feedback-code

To have symbolic variables included in the formatted dump produced by

Language Environment, you must compile with the SYM suboption of the TEST
compiler option and use the VARIABLES subparameter of CEE3DMP.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 221

 You can also request, through run-time options, that a dump be produced for error
conditions of your choosing.

Creating a system dump

You can cause a system dump at any prespecified point in your program. Simply
request an abend without cleanup by calling the Language Environment service
CEE3ABD with a cleanup value of zero.

This callable service stops the run unit immediately, and a system dump is
requested when the abend is issued.

RELATED REFERENCES
Language Environment Debugging Guide
CEE3DMP—generate dump (Language Environment Programming Reference)

Handling errors in joining and splitting strings

During the joining or splitting of strings, the pointer used by STRING or UNSTRING
might fall outside the range of the receiving field. A potential overflow condition
exists, but COBOL does not let the overflow happen. Instead, the STRING or
UNSTRING operation is not completed, the receiving field remains unchanged, and
control passes to the next sequential statement. You do not have an ON OVERFLOW
clause on the STRING or UNSTRING statement, and you are not notified of the
incomplete operation.

Consider the following statement:

String Item-1 space Item-2 delimited by Item-3
into Item-4
with pointer String-ptr
on overflow
Display “A string overflow occurred”
End-String

These are the data values before and after the statement is performed:

Data item PICTURE Value before Value after

Item-1 X(5) AAAAA AAAAA
Item-2 X(5) EEEAA EEEAA
Item-3 X(2) EA EA
Item-4 X(8) bbbbbbbb 1
bbbbbbbb1
String-ptr 9(2) 0 0
1. The symbol b represents a blank space.

Because String-ptr has a value of zero that falls short of the receiving field, an
overflow condition occurs and the STRING operation is not completed. (The same
result would occur if String-ptr were greater than nine.) If ON OVERFLOW had not
been specified, you would not be notified that the contents of Item-4 remain
unchanged.

222 Programming Guide

Handling errors in arithmetic operations
The results of arithmetic operations might be larger than the fixed-point field that
is to hold them, or you might have tried dividing by zero. In either case, the ON
SIZE ERROR clause after the ADD, SUBTRACT, MULTIPLY, DIVIDE, or COMPUTE statement
can handle the situation.

For ON SIZE ERROR to work correctly for fixed-point overflow and decimal
overflow, you must specify the TRAP(ON) run-time option.

The imperative statement of the ON SIZE ERROR clause will be performed and the
result field will not change in these cases:
v Fixed-point overflow
v Division by zero
v Zero raised to the zero power
v Zero raised to a negative number
v Negative number raised to a fractional power

Floating-point exponent overflow occurs when the value of a floating-point

computation cannot be represented in the z900 floating-point operand format. This
type of overflow does not cause SIZE ERROR; an abend occurs instead. You could
code a user-written condition handler to intercept the abend and provide your own
error recovery logic.

“Example: checking for division by zero”

Example: checking for division by zero

Code your ON SIZE ERROR imperative statement so that it issues an informative
message. For example:
DIVIDE-TOTAL-COST.
DIVIDE TOTAL-COST BY NUMBER-PURCHASED
GIVING ANSWER
ON SIZE ERROR
DISPLAY “ERROR IN DIVIDE-TOTAL-COST PARAGRAPH”
DISPLAY “SPENT ” TOTAL-COST, “ FOR ” NUMBER-PURCHASED
PERFORM FINISH
END-DIVIDE
. . .
FINISH.
STOP RUN.

In this example, if division by zero occurs, the program writes a message

identifying the trouble and halts program execution.

Handling errors in input and output operations

When an input or output operation fails, COBOL does not automatically take
corrective action. You choose whether your program will continue running after a
less-than-severe input or output error occurs.

You can use any of the following techniques for intercepting and handling certain
input or output errors:
v End-of-file condition (AT END)
v ERROR declarative
v File status key

Chapter 14. Handling errors 223

 v File system return code
v INVALID KEY phrase
v Imperative-statement phrases on your READ or WRITE statement
v ERROR declaratives
v FILE STATUS clauses

For VSAM files, if you specify a FILE STATUS clause, you can also test the VSAM
return code to direct your program to error-handling logic.

If you choose to have your program continue (by incorporating error-handling

code into your design), you must code the appropriate error-recovery procedure.
You might code, for example, a procedure to check the value of the file status key.

If you do not handle an input or output error in any of these ways, a severity-3
Language Environment condition is signaled, which causes the run unit to end if
the condition is not handled.

The following figures show the flow of logic after the indicated errors:
v VSAM input or output error
v QSAM and line-sequential input or output error

The following figure shows the flow of logic after a VSAM input or output error:

224 Programming Guide

The following figure shows the flow of logic after an input or output error with
QSAM or line-sequential files. The error can be from a READ statement, a WRITE
statement, or a CLOSE statement with a REEL/UNIT clause (QSAM only).

Chapter 14. Handling errors 225

 Set status key
(if present)

Applicable*
Yes Execute
imperative
imperative
phrase?
statement

No

Associated Execute
Yes
ERROR ERROR
declarative? declarative

No

File-status
Yes Test file**
clause
status key
specified ?

No

Terminate the run Return to COBOL***

unit with a message at the end of I/O
statement

*Possible phrases for QSAM are AT END, AT END-OF-PAGE, and INVALID KEY; for line
sequential, AT END.

**You need to write the code to test the file status key.

***Execution of your COBOL program continues after the input or output

statement that caused the error.

RELATED TASKS
“Using the end-of-file condition (AT END)”
“Coding ERROR declaratives” on page 227
“Using file status keys” on page 228
“Handling errors in QSAM files” on page 133
“Using VSAM return codes (VSAM files only)” on page 229
“Coding INVALID KEY phrases” on page 231

RELATED REFERENCES
Status key (Common processing facilities) (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Using the end-of-file condition (AT END)

You code the AT END phrase of the READ statement to handle errors or normal
conditions, according to your program design. If you code an AT END phrase, on
end-of-file the phrase is performed. If you do not code an AT END phrase, the
associated ERROR declarative is performed.

226 Programming Guide

 In many designs, reading sequentially to the end of a file is done intentionally, and
the AT END condition is expected. For example, suppose you are processing a file
containing transactions in order to update a master file:
PERFORM UNTIL TRANSACTION-EOF = “TRUE”
READ UPDATE-TRANSACTION-FILE INTO WS-TRANSACTION-RECORD
AT END
DISPLAY “END OF TRANSACTION UPDATE FILE REACHED”
MOVE “TRUE” TO TRANSACTION-EOF
END READ
. . .
END-PERFORM

Any NOT AT END phrase you code is performed only if the READ statement
completes successfully. If the READ operation fails because of a condition other than
end-of-file, neither the AT END nor the NOT AT END phrase is performed. Instead,
control passes to the end of the READ statement after performing any associated
declarative procedure.

You might choose to code neither an AT END phrase nor an EXCEPTION declarative
procedure, but a status key clause for the file. In that case, control passes to the
next sequential instruction after the input or output statement that detected the
end-of-file conditions. Here presumably you have some code to take appropriate
action.

RELATED REFERENCES
AT END phrases (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Coding ERROR declaratives

You can code one or more ERROR declarative procedures in your COBOL program
that will be given control if an input or output error occurs. You can have:
v A single, common procedure for the entire program
v Procedures for each file open mode (whether INPUT, OUTPUT, I-O, or EXTEND)
v Individual procedures for each particular file

Place each such procedure in the declaratives section of your PROCEDURE DIVISION.

In your procedure, you can choose to try corrective action, retry the operation,
continue, or end execution. You can use the ERROR declaratives procedure in
combination with the file status key if you want a further analysis of the error.

If you continue processing a blocked file, you might lose the remaining records in
a block after the record that caused the error.

Write an ERROR declarative procedure if you want the system to return control to
your program after an error occurs. If you do not write an ERROR declarative
procedure, your job could be canceled or abnormally terminated after an error
occurs.

Multithreading: Take care to avoid deadlocks when coding I/O declaratives in

your multithreaded applications. When an I/O operation results in a transfer of
control to an I/O declarative, the automatic serialization lock associated with the
file is held during the execution of the statements within the declarative. Thus if
you code I/O operations within your declaratives, your logic might result in a
deadlock as illustrated by this sample:

Chapter 14. Handling errors 227

 Declaratives.
D1 section.
Use after standard error procedure on F1
. . .
Read F2.
. . .
D2 section.
Use after standard error procedure on F2
. . .
Read F1.
. . .
End declaratives.
. . .
Rewrite R1.
Rewrite R2.

When this program is running on two threads, the following sequence of events
might occur:
1. Thread 1: Rewrite R1 acquires lock on F1 and encounters I/O error.
2. Thread 1: Enter declarative D1, holding lock on F1.
3. Thread 2: Rewrite R2 acquires lock on F2 and encounters I/O error.
4. Thread 2: Enter declarative D2.
5. Thread 1: Read F2 from declarative D1; wait on F2 lock held by thread 2.
6. Thread 2: Read F1 from declarative D2; wait on F1 lock held by thread 1.
7. Deadlock.

RELATED REFERENCES
EXCEPTION/ERROR declarative (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Using file status keys

After each input or output statement is performed on a file, the system updates
values in the two digits of the file status key. In general, a zero in the first digit
indicates a successful operation, and a zero in both digits means there is nothing
abnormal. Establish a file status key by using the FILE STATUS clause in the
FILE-CONTROL paragraph and data definitions in the DATA DIVISION.
FILE STATUS IS data-name-1

The variable data-name-1 specifies the two-character COBOL file status key that
should be defined in the WORKING-STORAGE SECTION. This data-name cannot be
variably located.

Your program can check the COBOL file status key to discover whether an error
has been made and, if so, what type of error it is. For example, suppose a FILE
STATUS clause is coded like this:
FILE STATUS IS FS-CODE

FS-CODE is used by COBOL to hold status information like this:

228 Programming Guide

 Follow these rules for each file:
v Define a different file status key for each file.
You can then determine the cause of a file input or output exception, such as an
application logic error or a disk error.
v Check the file status key after every input or output request.
If it contains a value other than 0, your program can issue an error message or
can act based on the value.
You do not have to reset the status key code, because it is set after each input or
output attempt.

For VSAM files, in addition to the file status key, you can code a second identifier
in the FILE STATUS clause to get more detailed information about VSAM input or
output requests.

You can use the status key alone, or in conjunction with the INVALID KEY option, or
to supplement the EXCEPTION or ERROR declarative. Using the status key in this way
gives you precise information about the results of each input or output operation.

“Example: file status key”

RELATED REFERENCES
Status key (Common processing facilities) (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Example: file status key

This COBOL code performs a simple check on the status key after opening a file.
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
PROGRAM-ID. SIMCHK.
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION.
INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION.
FILE-CONTROL.
SELECT MASTERFILE ASSIGN TO AS-MASTERA
FILE STATUS IS MASTER-CHECK-KEY
. . .
DATA DIVISION.
. . .
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
01 MASTER-CHECK-KEY PIC X(2).
. . .
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
. . .
OPEN INPUT MASTERFILE
IF MASTER-CHECK-KEY NOT = “00”
DISPLAY “Nonzero file status returned from OPEN ” MASTER-CHECK-KEY
. . .

Using VSAM return codes (VSAM files only)

Often the two-character FILE STATUS code is too general to pinpoint the disposition
of a request. You can get more detailed information about VSAM input or output
requests by coding a second status area:
FILE STATUS IS data-name-1 data-name-8

The variable data-name-1 specifies the two-character COBOL file status key. The
variable data-name-8 specifies a 6-byte data item that contains the VSAM return
code when the COBOL file status key is not 0.

Chapter 14. Handling errors 229

 You can define the second status area, data-name-8, in the WORKING-STORAGE SECTION
as in VSAM-CODE here:
01 RETURN-STATUS.
05 FS-CODE PIC X(2).
05 VSAM-CODE.
10 VSAM-R15-RETURN PIC S9(4) Usage Comp-5.
10 VSAM-FUNCTION PIC S9(4) Usage Comp-5.
10 VSAM-FEEDBACK PIC S9(4) Usage Comp-5.

Enterprise COBOL uses data-name-8 to pass information supplied by VSAM. In the

following example, FS-CODE corresponds to data-name-1 and VSAM-CODE corresponds
to data-name-8:

“Example: checking VSAM status codes”

RELATED REFERENCES
VSAM macro return and reason codes (z/OS DFSMS Macro Instructions for Data
Sets)

Example: checking VSAM status codes

This COBOL code does the following:
v Reads an indexed file (starting at the fifth record)
v Checks the file status key after each input or output request
v Displays the VSAM codes when the file status key is not zero

This example also illustrates how output from this program might look if the file
being processed contains six records.
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION
PROGRAM-ID. EXAMPLE.
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION.
INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION.
FILE-CONTROL.
SELECT VSAMFILE ASSIGN TO VSAMFILE
ORGANIZATION IS INDEXED
ACCESS DYNAMIC
RECORD KEY IS VSAMFILE-KEY
FILE STATUS IS FS-CODE VSAM-CODE.
DATA DIVISION.
FILE SECTION.
FD VSAMFILE
RECORD 30.
01 VSAMFILE-REC.

230 Programming Guide

 10 VSAMFILE-KEY PIC X(6).
10 FILLER PIC X(24).
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
01 RETURN-STATUS.
05 FS-CODE PIC XX.
05 VSAM-CODE.
10 VSAM-RETURN-CODE PIC S9(2) Usage Binary.
10 VSAM-COMPONENT-CODE PIC S9(1) Usage Binary.
10 VSAM-REASON-CODE PIC S9(3) Usage Binary.
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
OPEN INPUT VSAMFILE.
DISPLAY “OPEN INPUT VSAMFILE FS-CODE: ” FS-CODE.

IF FS-CODE NOT = “00”

PERFORM VSAM-CODE-DISPLAY
STOP RUN
END-IF.

MOVE “000005” TO VSAMFILE-KEY.

START VSAMFILE KEY IS EQUAL TO VSAMFILE-KEY.
DISPLAY “START VSAMFILE KEY=” VSAMFILE-KEY
“ FS-CODE: ” FS-CODE.
IF FS-CODE NOT = “00”
PERFORM VSAM-CODE-DISPLAY
END-IF.

IF FS-CODE = “00”
PERFORM READ-NEXT UNTIL FS-CODE NOT = “00”
END-IF.

CLOSE VSAMFILE.
STOP RUN.

READ-NEXT.
READ VSAMFILE NEXT.
DISPLAY “READ NEXT VSAMFILE FS-CODE: ” FS-CODE.
IF FS-CODE NOT = “00”
PERFORM VSAM-CODE-DISPLAY
END-IF.
DISPLAY VSAMFILE-REC.

VSAM-CODE-DISPLAY.
DISPLAY “VSAM-CODE ==>”
“ RETURN: ” VSAM-RETURN-CODE,
“ COMPONENT: ” VSAM-COMPONENT-CODE,
“ REASON: ” VSAM-REASON-CODE.

Below is a sample of the output from the example program that checks VSAM
code information:
OPEN INPUT VSAMFILE FS-CODE: 00
START VSAMFILE KEY=000005 FS-CODE: 00
READ NEXT VSAMFILE FS-CODE: 00
000005 THIS IS RECORD NUMBER 5
READ NEXT VSAMFILE FS-CODE: 00
000006 THIS IS RECORD NUMBER 6
READ NEXT VSAMFILE FS-CODE: 10
VSAM-CODE ==> RETURN: 08 COMPONENT: 2 REASON: 004

Coding INVALID KEY phrases

You can include INVALID KEY phrases on READ, START, WRITE, REWRITE, and DELETE
requests for VSAM indexed and relative files. The INVALID KEY phrase is given
control if an input or output error occurs because of a faulty index key.

Chapter 14. Handling errors 231

 Use the FILE STATUS clause with INVALID KEY to evaluate the status key and
determine the specific INVALID KEY condition.

You can also include INVALID KEY on WRITE requests for QSAM files, but the
INVALID KEY phrase has limited meaning here. It is used only if you try to write to
a disk that is full.

INVALID KEY and ERROR declaratives

INVALID KEY phrases differ from ERROR declaratives in these ways:
v INVALID KEY phrases operate for only limited types of errors, whereas the ERROR
declarative encompasses all forms.
v INVALID KEY phrases are coded directly onto the input or output verb, whereas
ERROR declaratives are coded separately.
v INVALID KEY phrases are specific for a single input or output operation, whereas
ERROR declaratives are more general.

If you code INVALID KEY in a statement that causes an INVALID KEY condition,
control is transferred to the INVALID KEY imperative statement. Here, any ERROR
declaratives you have coded are not performed.

NOT INVALID KEY

A NOT INVALID KEY phrase that you code is performed only if the statement
completes successfully. If the operation fails because of a condition other than
INVALID KEY, neither the INVALID KEY nor the NOT INVALID KEY phrase is
performed. Instead control passes to the end of the statement after the program
performs any associated ERROR declaratives.

“Example: FILE STATUS and INVALID KEY”

Example: FILE STATUS and INVALID KEY

Assume you have a file containing master customer records and need to update
some of these records with information in a transaction update file. The program
reads each transaction record, finds the corresponding record in the master file,
and makes the necessary updates. The records in both files contain a field for a
customer number, and each record in the master file has a unique customer
number.

The FILE-CONTROL entry for the master file of customer records includes statements
defining indexed organization, random access, MASTER-CUSTOMER-NUMBER as the
prime record key, and CUSTOMER-FILE-STATUS as the file status key. The following
example shows how you can use FILE STATUS with the INVALID KEY to more
specifically determine why an input or output statement failed.
.
. (read the update transaction record)
.
MOVE “TRUE” TO TRANSACTION-MATCH
MOVE UPDATE-CUSTOMER-NUMBER TO MASTER-CUSTOMER-NUMBER
READ MASTER-CUSTOMER-FILE INTO WS-CUSTOMER-RECORD
INVALID KEY
DISPLAY “MASTER CUSTOMER RECORD NOT FOUND”
DISPLAY “FILE STATUS CODE IS: ” CUSTOMER-FILE-STATUS
MOVE “FALSE” TO TRANSACTION-MATCH
END-READ

232 Programming Guide

Handling errors when calling programs
When a program dynamically calls a separately compiled program, the called
program might be unavailable to the system. For example, the system could run
out of storage or it could be unable to locate the load module. If you do not have
an ON EXCEPTION or ON OVERFLOW phrase on the CALL statement, your application
might abend.

Use the ON EXCEPTION phrase to perform a series of statements and to perform your
own error handling. For example:
MOVE “REPORTA” TO REPORT-PROG
CALL REPORT-PROG
ON EXCEPTION
DISPLAY “Program REPORTA not available, using REPORTB.’
MOVE ”REPORTB“ TO REPORT-PROG
CALL REPORT-PROG
END-CALL
END-CALL

If program REPORTA is unavailable, control will continue with the ON EXCEPTION

phrase.

The ON EXCEPTION phrase applies only to the availability of the called program. If
an error occurs while the called program is running, the ON EXCEPTION phrase will
not be performed.

RELATED TASKS
Enterprise COBOL Compiler and Run-Time Migration Guide

Writing routines for handling errors

You can handle most error conditions that might occur while your program is
running by using the ON EXCEPTION phrase, the ON SIZE ERROR phrase, or other
language constructs. But if an extraordinary condition like a machine check occurs,
normally your application will not regain control; it will be abnormally terminated.

However, Enterprise COBOL and Language Environment provide a way for a

user-written program to gain control when such conditions occur. Using Language
Environment condition handling, you can write your own error-handling programs
in COBOL. They can report, analyze, or even fix up and allow your program to
resume running.

To have Language Environment pass control to your user-written error program,

you must first identify and register its entry point to Language Environment.
PROCEDURE-POINTER data items allow you to pass the entry address of procedure
entry points to Language Environment services.

RELATED TASKS
“Using procedure and function pointers” on page 420

Chapter 14. Handling errors 233

234 Programming Guide
Part 2. Compiling and debugging your program
Chapter 15. Compiling under z/OS . . . . . 237 Chapter 16. Compiling under UNIX . . . . . 269
Compiling with JCL . . . . . . . . . . . 237 Setting environment variables under UNIX . . . 269
Using a cataloged procedure . . . . . . . 238 Specifying compiler options under UNIX . . . . 270
Compile procedure (IGYWC) . . . . . . 239 Compiling and linking with the cob2 command 271
Compile and link-edit procedure (IGYWCL) 240 Defining input and output . . . . . . . . 271
Compile, link-edit, and run procedure Creating a DLL . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
(IGYWCLG) . . . . . . . . . . . . 241 Example: using cob2 to compile under UNIX 272
Compile, load, and run procedure (IGYWCG) 242 cob2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Compile, prelink, and link-edit procedure cob2 input and output files . . . . . . . . 274
(IGYWCPL) . . . . . . . . . . . . 243 Compiling using scripts . . . . . . . . . . 275
Compile, prelink, link-edit, and run
procedure (IGYWCPLG) . . . . . . . . 245 Chapter 17. Compiling, linking, and running OO
Prelink and link-edit procedure (IGYWPL) 246 applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Compile, prelink, load, and run procedure Compiling, linking, and running OO applications
(IGYWCPG) . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 under UNIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Writing JCL to compile programs. . . . . . 248 Compiling OO applications under UNIX . . . 277
Example: user-written JCL for compiling . . 249 Preparing OO applications under UNIX . . . 278
Compiling under TSO . . . . . . . . . . 249 Example: compiling and linking a COBOL class
Example: ALLOCATE and CALL for compiling definition under UNIX . . . . . . . . . 279
under TSO . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250 Running OO applications under UNIX . . . . 279
Example: CLIST for compiling under TSO . . . 250 Running applications that start with a main
Starting the compiler from an assembler program 251 method . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Defining compiler input and output . . . . . . 252 Running applications that start with a
Data sets used by the compiler under z/OS . . 253 COBOL program . . . . . . . . . . 280
Logical record length and block size. . . . 254 Compiling, linking, and running OO applications
Defining the source code data set (SYSIN) . . . 255 using JCL or TSO/E . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Specifying source libraries (SYSLIB) . . . . . 255 Compiling OO applications using JCL or TSO/E 281
Defining the output data set (SYSPRINT) . . . 256 Preparing and running OO applications using
Directing compiler messages to your terminal JCL or TSO/E . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
(SYSTERM) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256 Example: compiling, linking, and running an
Creating object code (SYSLIN or SYSPUNCH) 256 OO application using JCL . . . . . . . . 283
Creating an associated data file (SYSADATA) 257 JCL for program TSTHELLO . . . . . . 284
Defining the output Java data set (SYSJAVA) 257 Definition of class HelloJ . . . . . . . 285
Defining the debug data set (SYSDEBUG) . . . 257 Environment variable settings file, ENV . . 285
Specifying compiler options under z/OS . . . . 258
Specifying compiler options with the PROCESS Chapter 18. Compiler options . . . . . . . 287
(CBL) statement . . . . . . . . . . . 258 Option settings for COBOL 85 Standard
Example: specifying compiler options using JCL 259 conformance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Example: specifying compiler options under Conflicting compiler options . . . . . . . . 289
TSO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259 ADATA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Compiler options and compiler output under ADV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
z/OS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259 ARITH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Compiling multiple programs (batch compilation) 261 AWO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Example: batch compilation . . . . . . . 261 BUFSIZE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Specifying compiler options in a batch CICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
compilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262 CODEPAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Example: precedence of options in a batch COMPILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
compilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263 CURRENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Example: LANGUAGE option in a batch DATA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
compilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264 DATEPROC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Correcting errors in your source program . . . . 265 DBCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Generating a list of compiler error messages . . 265 DECK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Messages and listings for compiler-detected DIAGTRUNC . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266 DLL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Format of compiler error messages . . . . . 266 DUMP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Severity codes for compiler error messages . . 267 DYNAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 235

EXIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301 Checking for valid ranges . . . . . . . . 343
EXPORTALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301 Selecting the level of error to be diagnosed . . 344
FASTSRT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302 Example: embedded messages. . . . . . 344
FLAG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302 Finding program entity definitions and
FLAGSTD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303 references . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
INTDATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304 Listing data items . . . . . . . . . . . 346
LANGUAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305 Getting listings . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
LIB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306 Example: short listing . . . . . . . . . 348
LINECOUNT . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306 Example: SOURCE and NUMBER output . . . 351
LIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306 Example: MAP output . . . . . . . . 352
MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307 Example: embedded map summary . . . . . 353
NAME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308 Terms used in MAP output. . . . . . . . 354
NSYMBOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309 Symbols used in LIST and MAP output . . . 354
NUMBER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309 Example: nested program map . . . . . . 356
NUMPROC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310 Reading LIST output . . . . . . . . . . 356
OBJECT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311 Example: program initialization code . . . 357
OFFSET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312 Signature information bytes: compiler
OPTIMIZE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312 options . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Unused data items . . . . . . . . . . 312 Signature information bytes: DATA
OUTDD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313 DIVISION . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
PGMNAME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314 Signature information bytes:
PGMNAME(COMPAT) . . . . . . . . . 314 ENVIRONMENT DIVISION . . . . . . 361
PGMNAME(LONGUPPER). . . . . . . . 314 Signature information bytes: PROCEDURE
PGMNAME(LONGMIXED) . . . . . . . 315 DIVISION verbs . . . . . . . . . . 362
QUOTE/APOST . . . . . . . . . . . . 316 Signature information bytes: more
RENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316 PROCEDURE DIVISION items . . . . . 363
RMODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317 Example: assembler code generated from
SEQUENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318 source code . . . . . . . . . . . . 365
SIZE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318 Example: TGT memory map . . . . . . 366
SOURCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319 Example: location and size of
SPACE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319 WORKING-STORAGE . . . . . . . . 367
SQL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320 Example: DSA memory map . . . . . . 367
SSRANGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321 Example: XREF output - data-name
TERMINAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321 cross-references. . . . . . . . . . . . 368
TEST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322 Example: XREF output - program-name
THREAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325 cross-references. . . . . . . . . . . . 369
TRUNC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326 Example: embedded cross-reference . . . . . 369
TRUNC example 1 . . . . . . . . . . 327 Example: OFFSET compiler output . . . . . 370
TRUNC example 2 . . . . . . . . . . 328 Example: VBREF compiler output . . . . . 371
VBREF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329 Preparing to use the debugger. . . . . . . . 371
WORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
XREF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
YEARWINDOW . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
ZWB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Compiler-directing statements . . . . . . . . 332

Chapter 19. Debugging . . . . . . . . . 337

Debugging with source language . . . . . . . 338
Tracing program logic . . . . . . . . . 338
Finding and handling input-output errors . . . 339
Validating data . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Finding uninitialized data . . . . . . . . 339
Generating information about procedures . . . 340
Debugging lines . . . . . . . . . . 340
Debugging statements . . . . . . . . 340
Example: USE FOR DEBUGGING . . . . 340
Debugging using compiler options . . . . . . 341
Finding coding errors . . . . . . . . . 342
Checking syntax only. . . . . . . . . 342
Compiling conditionally . . . . . . . . 342
Finding line sequence problems . . . . . . 343

236 Programming Guide

 Chapter 15. Compiling under z/OS
You can compile Enterprise COBOL programs under z/OS using job control
language (JCL), TSO commands, CLISTs, or ISPF panels:
v For compiling with JCL, IBM provides a set of cataloged procedures, which can
reduce the amount of JCL coding that you need to write. If the cataloged
procedures do not meet your needs, you can write your own JCL. Using JCL,
you can compile a single program or compile several programs as part of a
batch job.
v When compiling under TSO, you can use TSO commands, CLISTs, or ISPF
panels.

| You can also compile in a z/OS UNIX shell by using the cob2 command.

You might instead want to start the Enterprise COBOL compiler from an assembler
program, for example, if your shop has developed a tool or interface that calls the
Enterprise COBOL compiler.

As part of the compilation step, you need to define the data sets needed for the
compilation and specify any compiler options necessary for your program and the
desired output.

The compiler translates your COBOL program into language that the computer can
process (object code). The compiler also lists errors in your source statements and
provides supplementary information to help you debug and tune your program.
Use compiler-directing statements and compiler options to control your
compilation.

After compiling your program, you need to review the results of the compilation
and correct any compiler-detected errors.

RELATED TASKS
“Compiling with JCL”
“Compiling under TSO” on page 249
Chapter 16, “Compiling under UNIX” on page 269
“Starting the compiler from an assembler program” on page 251
“Defining compiler input and output” on page 252
“Specifying compiler options under z/OS” on page 258
“Compiling multiple programs (batch compilation)” on page 261
“Correcting errors in your source program” on page 265

RELATED REFERENCES
“Compiler-directing statements” on page 332
“Data sets used by the compiler under z/OS” on page 253
“Compiler options and compiler output under z/OS” on page 259

Compiling with JCL

You need to include the following information in the JCL for compilation:
v Job description
v Statement to run the compiler

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 237

 v Definitions for the data sets needed (including the directory paths if using HFS
files)

The simplest way to compile your program under z/OS is to code JCL that uses a
cataloged procedure. A cataloged procedure is a set of job control statements placed
in a partitioned data set called the procedure library (SYS1.PROCLIB).

The following JCL shows the general format for a cataloged procedure.
//jobname JOB parameters
//stepname EXEC [PROC=]procname[,{PARM=|PARM.stepname=}’options’]
//SYSIN DD data set parameters
. . . (source program to be compiled)
/*
//

Additional considerations apply when you use cataloged procedures to compile

object-oriented programs.

“Example: sample JCL for a procedural DLL application” on page 440

RELATED TASKS
“Using a cataloged procedure”
“Writing JCL to compile programs” on page 248
“Specifying compiler options under z/OS” on page 258
“Specifying compiler options in a batch compilation” on page 262
“Compiling programs to create DLLs” on page 438

RELATED REFERENCES
“Data sets used by the compiler under z/OS” on page 253

Using a cataloged procedure

Specify a cataloged procedure in an EXEC statement in your JCL.

The following JCL calls the IBM-supplied cataloged procedure (IGYWC) for
compiling an Enterprise COBOL program and defining the required data sets:

You can use these procedures with any of the job schedulers that are part of z/OS.
When a scheduler encounters parameters that it does not require, the scheduler
either ignores them or substitutes alternative parameters.

If the compiler options are not explicitly supplied with the procedure, default
options established at the installation apply. You can override these default options
by using an EXEC statement that includes the desired options.

238 Programming Guide

 You can specify data sets to be in the hierarchical file system by overriding the
corresponding DD statement. However, the compiler utility files (SYSUTx) and copy
libraries (SYSLIB) you specify must be MVS data sets.

Additional details on invoking cataloged procedures, overriding and adding to

EXEC statements, and overriding and adding to DD statements are in the Language
Environment information.

RELATED TASKS
Language Environment Programming Guide

RELATED REFERENCES
“Compile procedure (IGYWC)”
“Compile and link-edit procedure (IGYWCL)” on page 240
“Compile, link-edit, and run procedure (IGYWCLG)” on page 241
“Compile, load, and run procedure (IGYWCG)” on page 242
“Compile, prelink, and link-edit procedure (IGYWCPL)” on page 243
“Compile, prelink, link-edit, and run procedure (IGYWCPLG)” on page 245
“Prelink and link-edit procedure (IGYWPL)” on page 246
“Compile, prelink, load, and run procedure (IGYWCPG)” on page 247
z/OS DFSMS: Program Management

Compile procedure (IGYWC)

The IGYWC procedure is a single-step procedure for compiling a program. It
produces an object module. The compile steps in all other cataloged procedures
that invoke the compiler are similar.

You must supply the following DD statement, indicating the location of the source
program, in the input stream:
//COBOL.SYSIN DD * (or appropriate parameters)

| If you use copybooks in the program that you are compiling, you must also supply
| a DD statement for SYSLIB or other libraries that you specify in COPY statements. For
| example:
| //COBOL.SYSLIB DD DISP=SHR,DSN=DEPT88.BOBS.COBLIB

The following statements make up the IGYWC cataloged procedure.

//IGYWC PROC LNGPRFX=’IGY.V3R2M0’,SYSLBLK=3200
//*
//* COMPILE A COBOL PROGRAM
//*
//* PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUE USAGE
//* SYSLBLK 3200 BLKSIZE FOR OBJECT DATA SET
//* LNGPRFX IGY.V3R2M0 PREFIX FOR LANGUAGE DATA SET NAMES
//*
//* CALLER MUST SUPPLY //COBOL.SYSIN DD . . .
//*
//COBOL EXEC PGM=IGYCRCTL,REGION=2048K
//STEPLIB DD DSNAME=&LNGPRFX..SIGYCOMP, (1)
// DISP=SHR
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSLIN DD DSNAME=&&LOADSET,UNIT=SYSDA,
// DISP=(MOD,PASS),SPACE=(TRK,(3,3)),
// DCB=(BLKSIZE=&SYSLBLK)
//SYSUT1 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT2 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT3 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT4 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))

Chapter 15. Compiling under z/OS 239

 //SYSUT5 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1)) (2)
//SYSUT6 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT7 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))

(1) STEPLIB can be installation-dependent.

(2) SYSUT5 is needed only if the LIB option is used.

“Example: JCL for compiling using HFS”

Example: JCL for compiling using HFS: The following job uses procedure
IGYWC to compile a COBOL program demo.cbl that is located in the hierarchical
file system (HFS). It writes the generated compiler listing demo.lst, object file
demo.o, and SYSADATA file demo.adt to the HFS.
//HFSDEMO JOB ,
// TIME=(1),MSGLEVEL=(1,1),MSGCLASS=H,CLASS=A,REGION=50M,
// NOTIFY=&SYSUID,USER=&SYSUID
//COMPILE EXEC IGYWC,
// PARM.COBOL=’LIST,MAP,RENT,FLAG(I,I),XREF,ADATA’
//SYSPRINT DD PATH=’/u/userid/cobol/demo.lst’, (1)
// PATHOPTS=(OWRONLY,OCREAT,OTRUNC), (2)
// PATHMODE=SIRWXU, (3)
// FILEDATA=TEXT (4)
//SYSLIN DD PATH=’/u/userid/cobol/demo.o’,
// PATHOPTS=(OWRONLY,OCREAT,OTRUNC),
// PATHMODE=SIRWXU
//SYSADATA DD PATH=’/u/userid/cobol/demo.adt’,
// PATHOPTS=(OWRONLY,OCREAT,OTRUNC),
// PATHMODE=SIRWXU
//SYSIN DD PATH=’/u/userid/cobol/demo.cbl’,
// PATHOPTS=ORDONLY,
// FILEDATA=TEXT,
// RECFM=F
(1) PATH specifies the path name for an HFS file.
(2) PATHOPTS indicates the access for the file (such as read or read-write) and
sets the status for the file (such as append, create, or truncate).
(3) PATHMODE indicates the permissions, or file access attributes, to be set when
a file is created.
(4) FILEDATA specifies whether the data is to be treated as text or binary.

You can use a mixture of HFS (PATH=’hfs-directory-path’) and MVS data sets
(DSN=traditional-data-set-name) on the compilation DD statements shown in this
example as overrides. However, the compiler utility files (DD statements SYSUTx)
and COPY libraries (DD statements SYSLIB) must be MVS data sets.

RELATED REFERENCES
UNIX System Services Command Reference
MVS JCL Reference
“Data sets used by the compiler under z/OS” on page 253

Compile and link-edit procedure (IGYWCL)

The IGYWCL procedure is a two-step procedure to compile and link-edit a
program. The COBOL job step produces an object module that is input to the
linkage editor or binder. Other object modules can be added.

You must supply the following DD statement, indicating the location of the source
program, in the input stream.
//COBOL.SYSIN DD * (or appropriate parameters)

240 Programming Guide

| If you use copybooks in the program that you are compiling, you must also supply
| a DD statement for SYSLIB or other libraries that you specify in COPY statements. For
| example:
| //COBOL.SYSLIB DD DISP=SHR,DSN=DEPT88.BOBS.COBLIB

The following statements make up the IGYWCL cataloged procedure.

//IGYWCL PROC LNGPRFX=’IGY.V3R2M0’,SYSLBLK=3200,
// LIBPRFX=’CEE’,
// PGMLIB=’&&GOSET’,GOPGM=GO
//*
//* COMPILE AND LINK EDIT A COBOL PROGRAM
//*
//* PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUE USAGE
//* LNGPRFX IGY.V3R2M0 PREFIX FOR LANGUAGE DATA SET NAMES
//* SYSLBLK 3200 BLOCK SIZE FOR OBJECT DATA SET
//* LIBPRFX CEE PREFIX FOR LIBRARY DATA SET NAMES
//* PGMLIB &&GOSET DATA SET NAME FOR LOAD MODULE
//* GOPGM GO MEMBER NAME FOR LOAD MODULE
//*
//* CALLER MUST SUPPLY //COBOL.SYSIN DD . . .
//*
//COBOL EXEC PGM=IGYCRCTL,REGION=2048K
//STEPLIB DD DSNAME=&LNGPRFX..SIGYCOMP, (1)
// DISP=SHR
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSLIN DD DSNAME=&&LOADSET,UNIT=SYSDA,
// DISP=(MOD,PASS),SPACE=(TRK,(3,3)),
// DCB=(BLKSIZE=&SYSLBLK)
//SYSUT1 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT2 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT3 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT4 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT5 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1)) (2)
//SYSUT6 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT7 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//LKED EXEC PGM=HEWL,COND=(8,LT,COBOL),REGION=1024K
//SYSLIB DD DSNAME=&LIBPRFX..SCEELKED, (3)
// DISP=SHR
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSLIN DD DSNAME=&&LOADSET,DISP=(OLD,DELETE)
// DD DDNAME=SYSIN
//SYSLMOD DD DSNAME=&PGMLIB(&GOPGM),
// SPACE=(TRK,(10,10,1)),
// UNIT=SYSDA,DISP=(MOD,PASS)
//SYSUT1 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(TRK,(10,10))

(1) STEPLIB can be installation-dependent.

(2) SYSUT5 is needed only if the LIB option is used.
(3) SYSLIB can be installation-dependent.

Compile, link-edit, and run procedure (IGYWCLG)

The IGYWCLG procedure is a three-step procedure to compile, link-edit, and run a
program.

The COBOL job step produces an object module that is input to the linkage editor
or binder. Other object modules can be added. If the COBOL program refers to any
data sets, DD statements that define these data sets must also be supplied.

You must supply the following DD statement, indicating the location of the source
program, in the input stream.
//COBOL.SYSIN DD * (or appropriate parameters)

Chapter 15. Compiling under z/OS 241

| If you use copybooks in the program that you are compiling, you must also supply
| a DD statement for SYSLIB or other libraries that you specify in COPY statements. For
| example:
| //COBOL.SYSLIB DD DISP=SHR,DSN=DEPT88.BOBS.COBLIB

The following shows the statements that make up the IGYWCLG cataloged
procedure.
//IGYWCLG PROC LNGPRFX=’IGY.V3R2M0’,SYSLBLK=3200,
// LIBPRFX=’CEE’,GOPGM=GO
//*
//* COMPILE, LINK EDIT AND RUN A COBOL PROGRAM
//*
//* PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUE USAGE
//* LNGPRFX IGY.V3R2M0 PREFIX FOR LANGUAGE DATA SET NAMES
//* SYSLBLK 3200 BLKSIZE FOR OBJECT DATA SET
//* LIBPRFX CEE PREFIX FOR LIBRARY DATA SET NAMES
//* GOPGM GO MEMBER NAME FOR LOAD MODULE
//*
//* CALLER MUST SUPPLY //COBOL.SYSIN DD . . .
//*
//COBOL EXEC PGM=IGYCRCTL,REGION=2048K
//STEPLIB DD DSNAME=&LNGPRFX..SIGYCOMP, (1)
// DISP=SHR
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSLIN DD DSNAME=&&LOADSET,UNIT=SYSDA,
// DISP=(MOD,PASS),SPACE=(TRK,(3,3)),
// DCB=(BLKSIZE=&SYSLBLK)
//SYSUT1 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT2 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT3 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT4 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT5 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1)) (2)
//SYSUT6 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT7 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//LKED EXEC PGM=HEWL,COND=(8,LT,COBOL),REGION=1024K
//SYSLIB DD DSNAME=&LIBPRFX..SCEELKED, (3)
// DISP=SHR
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSLIN DD DSNAME=&&LOADSET,DISP=(OLD,DELETE)
// DD DDNAME=SYSIN
//SYSLMOD DD DSNAME=&&GOSET(&GOPGM),SPACE=(TRK,(10,10,1)),
// UNIT=SYSDA,DISP=(MOD,PASS)
//SYSUT1 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(TRK,(10,10))
//GO EXEC PGM=*.LKED.SYSLMOD,COND=((8,LT,COBOL),(4,LT,LKED)),
// REGION=2048K
//STEPLIB DD DSNAME=&LIBPRFX..SCEERUN, (1)
// DISP=SHR
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
//CEEDUMP DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSUDUMP DD SYSOUT=*

(1) STEPLIB can be installation-dependent.

(2) SYSUT5 is needed only if the LIB option is used.
(3) SYSLIB can be installation-dependent.

Compile, load, and run procedure (IGYWCG)

The IGYWCG procedure is a two-step procedure to compile, load, and run a
program. The COBOL job step produces an object module that is input to the
loader. If the COBOL program refers to any data sets, the DD statements that define
these data sets must also be supplied.

You must supply the following DD statement, indicating the location of the source
program, in the input stream.

242 Programming Guide

 //COBOL.SYSIN DD * (or appropriate parameters)

| If you use copybooks in the program that you are compiling, you must also supply
| a DD statement for SYSLIB or other libraries that you specify in COPY statements. For
| example:
| //COBOL.SYSLIB DD DISP=SHR,DSN=DEPT88.BOBS.COBLIB

The following shows the statements that make up the IGYWCG cataloged
procedure.
//IGYWCG PROC LNGPRFX=’IGY.V3R2M0’,SYSLBLK=3200,
// LIBPRFX=’CEE’
//*
//* COMPILE, LOAD AND RUN A COBOL PROGRAM
//*
//* PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUE USAGE
//* LNGPRFX IGY.V3R2M0 PREFIX FOR LANGUAGE DATA SET NAMES
//* SYSLBLK 3200 BLKSIZE FOR OBJECT DATA SET
//* LIBPRFX CEE PREFIX FOR LIBRARY DATA SET NAMES
//*
//* CALLER MUST SUPPLY //COBOL.SYSIN DD . . .
//*
//COBOL EXEC PGM=IGYCRCTL,REGION=2048K
//STEPLIB DD DSNAME=&LNGPRFX..SIGYCOMP, (1)
// DISP=SHR
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSLIN DD DSNAME=&&LOADSET,UNIT=SYSDA, (2)
// DISP=(MOD,PASS),SPACE=(TRK,(3,3)),
// DCB=(BLKSIZE=&SYSLBLK)
//SYSUT1 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT2 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT3 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT4 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT5 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1)) (3)
//SYSUT6 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT7 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//GO EXEC PGM=LOADER,COND=(8,LT,COBOL),REGION=2048K
//SYSLIB DD DSNAME=&LIBPRFX..SCEELKED, (4)
// DISP=SHR
//SYSLOUT DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSLIN DD DSNAME=&&LOADSET,DISP=(OLD,DELETE)
//STEPLIB DD DSNAME=&LIBPRFX..SCEERUN, (1)
// DISP=SHR
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
//CEEDUMP DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSUDUMP DD SYSOUT=*

(1) STEPLIB can be installation-dependent.

(2) SYSLIN can reside in the HFS.
(3) SYSUT5 is needed only if the LIB option is used.
(4) SYSLIB can be installation-dependent.

Compile, prelink, and link-edit procedure (IGYWCPL)

The IGYWCPL procedure is a three-step procedure for compiling, prelinking, and
link-editing a program.

You must supply the following DD statement, indicating the location of the source
program, in the input stream.
SYSIN DD * (or appropriate parameters)

| If you use copybooks in the program that you are compiling, you must also supply
| a DD statement for SYSLIB or other libraries that you specify in COPY statements. For
| example:

Chapter 15. Compiling under z/OS 243

| //COBOL.SYSLIB DD DISP=SHR,DSN=DEPT88.BOBS.COBLIB

The following shows the statements that make up the IGYWCPL cataloged
procedure.
//IGYWCPL PROC LNGPRFX=’IGY.V3R2M0’,SYSLBLK=3200,
// LIBPRFX=’CEE’,PLANG=EDCPMSGE,
// PGMLIB=’&&GOSET’,GOPGM=GO
//*
//* COMPILE, PRELINK AND LINK EDIT A COBOL PROGRAM
//*
//* PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUE USAGE
//* LNGPRFX IGY.V3R2M0 PREFIX FOR LANGUAGE DATA SET NAMES
//* SYSLBLK 3200 BLOCK SIZE FOR OBJECT DATA SET
//* LIBPRFX CEE PREFIX FOR LIBRARY DATA SET NAMES
//* PLANG EDCPMSGE PRELINKER MESSAGES MODULE
//* PGMLIB &&GOSET DATA SET NAME FOR LOAD MODULE
//* GOPGM GO MEMBER NAME FOR LOAD MODULE
//*
//* CALLER MUST SUPPLY //COBOL.SYSIN DD . . .
//*
//COBOL EXEC PGM=IGYCRCTL,REGION=2048K
//STEPLIB DD DSNAME=&LNGPRFX..SIGYCOMP, (1)
// DISP=SHR
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSLIN DD DSNAME=&&LOADSET,UNIT=SYSDA,
// DISP=(MOD,PASS),SPACE=(TRK,(3,3)),
// DCB=(BLKSIZE=&SYSLBLK)
//SYSUT1 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT2 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT3 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT4 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT5 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1)) (2)
//SYSUT6 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT7 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//PLKED EXEC PGM=EDCPRLK,PARM=’’,COND=(8,LT,COBOL),
// REGION=2048K
//STEPLIB DD DSNAME=&LIBPRFX..SCEERUN,
// DISP=SHR
//SYSMSGS DD DSNAME=&LIBPRFX..SCEEMSGP(&PLANG),
// DISP=SHR
//SYSLIB DD DUMMY
//SYSIN DD DSN=&&LOADSET,DISP=(OLD,DELETE)
//SYSMOD DD DSNAME=&&PLKSET,UNIT=SYSDA,DISP=(NEW,PASS),
// SPACE=(32000,(100,50)),
// DCB=(RECFM=FB,LRECL=80,BLKSIZE=3200)
//SYSDEFSD DD DUMMY
//SYSOUT DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
//*
//LKED EXEC PGM=HEWL,COND=(8,LT,COBOL),REGION=1024K
//SYSLIB DD DSNAME=&LIBPRFX..SCEELKED, (3)
// DISP=SHR
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSLIN DD DSNAME=&&PLKSET,DISP=(OLD,DELETE)
// DD DDNAME=SYSIN
//SYSLMOD DD DSNAME=&PGMLIB(&GOPGM),
// SPACE=(TRK,(10,10,1)),
// UNIT=SYSDA,DISP=(MOD,PASS)
//SYSUT1 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(TRK,(10,10))

(1) STEPLIB can be installation-dependent.

(2) SYSUT5 is needed only if the LIB option is used.
(3) SYSLIB can be installation-dependent.

244 Programming Guide

 Compile, prelink, link-edit, and run procedure (IGYWCPLG)
The IGYWCPLG procedure is a four-step procedure for compiling, prelinking,
link-editing, and running a program.

You must supply the following DD statement, indicating the location of the source
program, in the input stream.
SYSIN DD * (or appropriate parameters)

| If you use copybooks in the program that you are compiling, you must also supply
| a DD statement for SYSLIB or other libraries that you specify in COPY statements. For
| example:
| //COBOL.SYSLIB DD DISP=SHR,DSN=DEPT88.BOBS.COBLIB

The following shows the statements that make up the IGYWCPLG cataloged
procedure.
//IGYWCPLG PROC LNGPRFX=’IGY.V3R2M0’,SYSLBLK=3200,
// PLANG=EDCPMSGE,
// LIBPRFX=’CEE’,GOPGM=GO
//*
//* COMPILE, PRELINK, LINK EDIT, AND RUN A COBOL PROGRAM
//*
//* PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUE USAGE
//* LNGPRFX IGY.V3R2M0 PREFIX FOR LANGUAGE DATA SET NAMES
//* SYSLBLK 3200 BLKSIZE FOR OBJECT DATA SET
//* PLANG EDCPMSGE PRELINKER MESSAGES MODULE
//* LIBPRFX CEE PREFIX FOR LIBRARY DATA SET NAMES
//* GOPGM GO MEMBER NAME FOR LOAD MODULE
//*
//* CALLER MUST SUPPLY //COBOL.SYSIN DD . . .
//*
//COBOL EXEC PGM=IGYCRCTL,REGION=2048K
//STEPLIB DD DSNAME=&LNGPRFX..SIGYCOMP, (1)
// DISP=SHR
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSLIN DD DSNAME=&&LOADSET,UNIT=SYSDA,
// DISP=(MOD,PASS),SPACE=(TRK,(3,3)),
// DCB=(BLKSIZE=&SYSLBLK)
//SYSUT1 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT2 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT3 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT4 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT5 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1)) (2)
//SYSUT6 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT7 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//PLKED EXEC PGM=EDCPRLK,PARM=’’,COND=(8,LT,COBOL),
// REGION=2048K
//STEPLIB DD DSNAME=&LIBPRFX..SCEERUN,
// DISP=SHR
//SYSMSGS DD DSNAME=&LIBPRFX..SCEEMSGP(&PLANG),
// DISP=SHR
//SYSLIB DD DUMMY
//SYSIN DD DSN=&&LOADSET,DISP=(OLD,DELETE)
//SYSMOD DD DSNAME=&&PLKSET,UNIT=SYSDA,DISP=(NEW,PASS),
// SPACE=(32000,(100,50)),
// DCB=(RECFM=FB,LRECL=80,BLKSIZE=3200)
//SYSDEFSD DD DUMMY
//SYSOUT DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
//*
//LKED EXEC PGM=HEWL,COND=(8,LT,COBOL),REGION=1024K
//SYSLIB DD DSNAME=&LIBPRFX..SCEELKED, (3)
// DISP=SHR
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*

Chapter 15. Compiling under z/OS 245

 //SYSLIN DD DSNAME=&&PLKSET,DISP=(OLD,DELETE)
// DD DDNAME=SYSIN
//SYSLMOD DD DSNAME=&&GOSET(&GOPGM),SPACE=(TRK,(10,10,1)),
// UNIT=SYSDA,DISP=(MOD,PASS)
//SYSUT1 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(TRK,(10,10))
//GO EXEC PGM=*.LKED.SYSLMOD,COND=((8,LT,COBOL),(4,LT,LKED)),
// REGION=2048K
//STEPLIB DD DSNAME=&LIBPRFX..SCEERUN,
// DISP=SHR
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
//CEEDUMP DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSUDUMP DD SYSOUT=*

(1) STEPLIB can be installation-dependent.

(2) SYSUT5 is needed only if the LIB option is used.
(3) SYSLIB can be installation-dependent.

Prelink and link-edit procedure (IGYWPL)

The IGYWPL procedure is a two-step procedure for prelinking and link-editing a
program.

The following statements make up the IGYWPL cataloged procedure.

//IGYWPL PROC PLANG=EDCPMSGE,SYSLBLK=3200,
// LIBPRFX=’CEE’,
// PGMLIB=’&&GOSET’,GOPGM=GO
//*
//* PRELINK AND LINK EDIT A COBOL PROGRAM
//*
//* PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUE USAGE
//* PLANG EDCPMSGE PRELINK MESSAGES MEMBER NAME
//* SYSLBLK 3200 BLKSIZE FOR OBJECT DATA SET
//* LIBPRFX CEE PREFIX FOR LIBRARY DATA SET NAMES
//* PGMLIB &&GOSET DATA SET NAME FOR LOAD MODULE
//* GOPGM GO MEMBER NAME FOR LOAD MODULE
//*
//* CALLER MUST SUPPLY //PLKED.SYSIN DD . . .
//*
//PLKED EXEC PGM=EDCPRLK,PARM=’’,
// REGION=2048K
//STEPLIB DD DSNAME=&LIBPRFX..SCEERUN, (1)
// DISP=SHR
//SYSMSGS DD DSNAME=&LIBPRFX..SCEEMSGP(&PLANG),
// DISP=SHR
//SYSLIB DD DUMMY
//SYSMOD DD DSNAME=&&PLKSET,UNIT=SYSDA,DISP=(NEW,PASS),
// SPACE=(32000,(100,50)),
// DCB=(RECFM=FB,LRECL=80,BLKSIZE=&SYSLBLK)
//SYSDEFSD DD DUMMY
//SYSOUT DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
//*
//LKED EXEC PGM=HEWL,COND=(4,LT,PLKED),REGION=1024K
//SYSLIB DD DSNAME=&LIBPRFX..SCEELKED, (2)
// DISP=SHR
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSLIN DD DSNAME=*.PLKED.SYSMOD,DISP=(OLD,DELETE)
// DD DDNAME=SYSIN
//SYSLMOD DD DSNAME=&PGMLIB(&GOPGM),SPACE=(TRK,(10,10,1)),
// UNIT=SYSDA,DISP=(MOD,PASS)
//SYSUT1 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(TRK,(10,10))
//SYSIN DD DUMMY

(1) STEPLIB can be installation-dependent.

(2) SYSLIB can be installation-dependent.

246 Programming Guide

 Compile, prelink, load, and run procedure (IGYWCPG)
The IGYWCPG procedure is a four-step procedure for compiling, prelinking,
loading, and running a program.

You must supply the following DD statement, indicating the location of the source
program, in the input stream.
//COBOL.SYSIN DD * (or appropriate parameters)

| If you use copybooks in the program that you are compiling, you must also supply
| a DD statement for SYSLIB or other libraries that you specify in COPY statements. For
| example:
| //COBOL.SYSLIB DD DISP=SHR,DSN=DEPT88.BOBS.COBLIB

The following statements make up the IGYWCPG cataloged procedure.

//IGYWCPG PROC LNGPRFX=’IGY.V3R2M0’,SYSLBLK=3200,
// PLANG=EDCPMSGE,
// LIBPRFX=’CEE’
//*
//* COMPILE, PRELINK, LOAD, AND RUN A COBOL PROGRAM
//*
//* PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUE USAGE
//* LNGPRFX IGY.V3R2M0 PREFIX FOR LANGUAGE DATA SET NAMES
//* SYSLBLK 3200 BLKSIZE FOR OBJECT DATA SET
//* PLANG EDCPMSGE PRELINKER MESSAGES MODULE
//* LIBPRFX CEE PREFIX FOR LIBRARY DATA SET NAMES
//*
//* CALLER MUST SUPPLY //COBOL.SYSIN DD . . .
//*
//COBOL EXEC PGM=IGYCRCTL,REGION=2048K
//STEPLIB DD DSNAME=&LNGPRFX..SIGYCOMP, (1)
// DISP=SHR
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSLIN DD DSNAME=&&LOADSET,UNIT=SYSDA,
// DISP=(MOD,PASS),SPACE=(TRK,(3,3)),
// DCB=(BLKSIZE=&SYSLBLK)
//SYSUT1 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT2 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT3 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT4 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT5 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1)) (2)
//SYSUT6 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT7 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//PLKED EXEC PGM=EDCPRLK,PARM=’’,COND=(8,LT,COBOL),
// REGION=2048K
//STEPLIB DD DSNAME=&LIBPRFX..SCEERUN,
// DISP=SHR
//SYSMSGS DD DSNAME=&LIBPRFX..SCEEMSGP(&PLANG),
// DISP=SHR
//SYSLIB DD DUMMY
//SYSIN DD DSN=&&LOADSET,DISP=(OLD,DELETE)
//SYSMOD DD DSNAME=&&PLKSET,UNIT=SYSDA,DISP=(NEW,PASS), (3)
// SPACE=(32000,(100,50)),
// DCB=(RECFM=FB,LRECL=80,BLKSIZE=3200)
//SYSDEFSD DD DUMMY
//SYSOUT DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
//*
//GO EXEC PGM=LOADER,COND=(8,LT,COBOL),REGION=2048K
//SYSLIB DD DSNAME=&LIBPRFX..SCEELKED, (4)
// DISP=SHR
//SYSLOUT DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSLIN DD DSNAME=&&PLKSET,DISP=(OLD,DELETE)
//STEPLIB DD DSNAME=&LIBPRFX..SCEERUN,

Chapter 15. Compiling under z/OS 247

 // DISP=SHR
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
//CEEDUMP DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSUDUMP DD SYSOUT=*

(1) STEPLIB can be installation-dependent.

(2) SYSUT5 is needed only if the LIB option is used.
(3) SYSMOD can reside in the HFS.
(4) SYSLIB can be installation-dependent.

Writing JCL to compile programs

If the cataloged procedures do not give you the z/OS programming flexibility you
need for more complex programs, write your own job control statements. The
following JCL shows the general format used to compile a program:
//jobname JOB acctno,name,MSGCLASS=1 (1)
//stepname EXEC PGM=IGYCRCTL,PARM=(options) (2)
//STEPLIB DD DSNAME=IGY.V3R2M0.SIGYCOMP,DISP=SHR (3)
//SYSUT1 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(subparms) (4)
//SYSUT2 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(subparms)
//SYSUT3 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(subparms)
//SYSUT4 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(subparms)
//SYSUT5 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(subparms)
//SYSUT6 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(subparms)
//SYSUT7 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(subparms)
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=A (5)
//SYSLIN DD DSNAME=MYPROG,UNIT=SYSDA, (6)
// DISP=(MOD,PASS),SPACE=(subparms)
//SYSIN DD DSNAME=dsname,UNIT=device, (7)
VOLUME=(subparms),DISP=SHR
(1) The JOB statement indicates the beginning of a job.
(2) The EXEC statement specifies that the Enterprise COBOL compiler
(IGYCRCTL) is to be invoked.
(3) This DD statement defines the data set where the Enterprise COBOL
compiler resides.
(4) The SYSUT DD statements define the utility data sets that the compiler will
use to process the source program. All SYSUT files must be on
direct-access storage devices.
(5) The SYSPRINT DD statement defines the data set that receives output from
options such as LIST and MAP. SYSOUT=A is the standard designation for data
sets whose destination is the system output device.
(6) The SYSLIN DD statement defines the data set that receives output from the
OBJECT option (the object module).
(7) The SYSIN DD statement defines the data set to be used as input to the job
step (source code).

You can use a mixture of HFS (PATH=’hfs-directory-path’) and MVS data sets
(DSN=traditional-data-set-name) on the compilation DD statements for the following
data sets:
v Sources files
v Object files
v Listings
v ADATA files
v Debug files

248 Programming Guide

 v Executable modules

However, the compiler utility files (DD statements SYSUTx) and COPY libraries (DD
statement SYSLIB) must be MVS data sets.

“Example: user-written JCL for compiling”

“Example: sample JCL for a procedural DLL application” on page 440

RELATED REFERENCES
MVS JCL Reference

Example: user-written JCL for compiling

This example shows a few possibilities for adapting the basic JCL.
//JOB1 JOB (1)
//STEP1 EXEC PGM=IGYCRCTL,PARM=’OBJECT’ (2)
//STEPLIB DD DSNAME=IGY.V3R2M0.SIGYCOMP,DISP=SHR
//SYSUT1 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT2 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT3 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT4 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT5 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT6 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSUT7 DD UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=A
//SYSLIN DD DSNAME=MYPROG,UNIT=SYSDA,
// DISP=(MOD,PASS),SPACE=(TRK,(3,3))
//SYSIN DD * (3)
000100 IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
. . .
/* (4)
(1) JOB1 is the name of the job.
(2) STEP1 is the name of the single job step in the job. The EXEC statement also
specifies that the generated object code be placed on disk or tape to be
used later as input to the link step.
(3) The asterisk indicates that the input data set follows in the input stream.
(4) The delimiter statement /* separates data from subsequent control
statements in the input stream.

Compiling under TSO

Under TSO, you can use TSO commands, command lists (CLISTs), REXX execs, or
ISPF to compile your program using traditional MVS data sets. You can use TSO
commands or REXX execs to compile your program using HFS files. With each
method, you need to allocate the data sets and request the compilation.
1. Use the ALLOCATE command to allocate data sets.
For any compilation, allocate the work data sets (SYSUTn), and the SYSIN and
SYSPRINT data sets. If you specify certain compiler options, allocate the
following data sets:
v If you specified the OBJECT compiler option, allocate the SYSLIN data set to
produce an object module.
v If you specified the TERMINAL option, allocate the SYSTERM data set to get
compiler messages at your terminal.
v If you specified the LIB option and if you have used COPY or REPLACE
statements in your Enterprise COBOL program, allocate the SYSLIB data set.
This must be a traditional MVS data set, not an HFS path.

Chapter 15. Compiling under z/OS 249

 v If you specified the LIB option in your program, allocate SYSUT5. This utility
data set must be a traditional MVS data set, not an HFS path.

You can allocate data sets in any order. However, you must allocate all needed
data sets before you start to compile.
2. Use the CALL command at the READY prompt to request compilation:
CALL ’IGY.V3R2M0.SIGYCOMP(IGYCRCTL)’

You can specify the ALLOCATE and CALL commands on the TSO command line, or, if
you are not using HFS files, include them in a CLIST.

You can allocate HFS files for all the compiler data sets except the SYSUTx utility
data sets and the SYSLIB libraries. Your ALLOCATE statements have the following
form:
Allocate File(SYSIN) Path(’/u/myu/myap/std/prog2.cbl’)
Pathopts(ORDONLY) Filedata(TEXT)

“Example: ALLOCATE and CALL for compiling under TSO”

“Example: CLIST for compiling under TSO”

Example: ALLOCATE and CALL for compiling under TSO

The following example shows how to specify ALLOCATE and CALL commands when
you are compiling under TSO.
READY
ALLOCATE FILE(SYSUT1) CYLINDERS SPACE(1 1)
READY
ALLOCATE FILE(SYSUT2) CYLINDERS SPACE(1 1)
READY
ALLOCATE FILE(SYSUT3) CYLINDERS SPACE(1 1)
READY
ALLOCATE FILE(SYSUT4) CYLINDERS SPACE(1 1)
READY
ALLOCATE FILE(SYSUT5) CYLINDERS SPACE(1 1)
READY
ALLOCATE FILE(SYSUT6) CYLINDERS SPACE(1 1)
READY
ALLOCATE FILE(SYSUT7) CYLINDERS SPACE(1 1)
READY
ALLOCATE FILE(SYSPRINT) SYSOUT
READY
ALLOCATE FILE(SYSTERM) DATASET(*)
READY
ALLOCATE FILE(SYSLIN) DATASET(PROG2.OBJ) NEW TRACKS SPACE(3,3)
READY
ALLOCATE FILE(SYSIN) DATASET(PROG2.COBOL) SHR
READY
CALL ’IGY.V3R2M0.SIGYCOMP(IGYCRCTL)’ ’LIST,NOCOMPILE(S),OBJECT,FLAG(E,E),TERMINAL’
.
(COBOL listings and messages)
.
READY
FREE FILE(SYSUT1,SYSUT2,SYSUT3,SYSUT4,SYSUT5,SYSUT6,SYSUT7,SYSPRINT,SYSTERM,+
SYSIN,SYSLIN)
READY

Example: CLIST for compiling under TSO

In the following sample CLIST for compiling under TSO, the FREE commands are
not required. However, good programming practice dictates that you free your files
before you allocate them.

250 Programming Guide

 PROC 1 MEM
CONTROL LIST
FREE (SYSUT1)
FREE (SYSUT2)
FREE (SYSUT3)
FREE (SYSUT4)
FREE (SYSUT5)
FREE (SYSUT6)
FREE (SYSUT7)
FREE (SYSPRINT)
FREE (SYSIN)
FREE (SYSLIN)
ALLOC F(SYSPRINT) SYSOUT
ALLOC F(SYSIN) DA(COBOL.SOURCE(&MEM)) SHR REUSE
ALLOC F(SYSLIN) DA(COBOL.OBJECT(&MEM)) OLD REUSE
ALLOC F(SYSUT1) NEW SPACE(5,5) TRACKS UNIT(SYSDA)
ALLOC F(SYSUT2) NEW SPACE(5,5) TRACKS UNIT(SYSDA)
ALLOC F(SYSUT3) NEW SPACE(5,5) TRACKS UNIT(SYSDA)
ALLOC F(SYSUT4) NEW SPACE(5,5) TRACKS UNIT(SYSDA)
ALLOC F(SYSUT5) NEW SPACE(5,5) TRACKS UNIT(SYSDA)
ALLOC F(SYSUT6) NEW SPACE(5,5) TRACKS UNIT(SYSDA)
ALLOC F(SYSUT7) NEW SPACE(5,5) TRACKS UNIT(SYSDA)
CALL ’IGY.V3R2M0.SIGYCOMP(IGYCRCTL)’

Starting the compiler from an assembler program

An assembler program can start the Enterprise COBOL compiler by using the
ATTACH or the LINK macro instruction, by dynamic invocation. Using dynamic
invocation, you must supply the following information to the Enterprise COBOL
compiler:
v Options to be specified for the compilation
v ddnames of the data sets to be used during processing by the Enterprise COBOL
compiler

Format
symbol {LINK|ATTACH} EP=IGYCRCTL,
PARAM=(optionlist[,ddnamelist]),VL=1

EP Specifies the symbolic name of the Enterprise COBOL compiler. The

control program (from the library directory entry) determines the entry
point at which the program should begin running.
PARAM Specifies, as a sublist, address parameters to be passed from the assembler
program to the Enterprise COBOL compiler. The first fullword in the
address parameter list contains the address of the COBOL optionlist. The
second fullword contains the address of the ddnamelist.
The third and fourth fullwords contain the addresses of null parameters, or
zero.
optionlist
Specifies the address of a variable-length list containing the COBOL
options specified for compilation. This address must be written although
no list is provided.
The optionlist must begin on a halfword boundary. The 2 high-order bytes
contain a count of the number of bytes in the remainder of the list. If no
options are specified, the count must be zero. The optionlist is free form,
with each field separated from the next by a comma. No blanks or zeros
should appear in the list. The compiler recognizes only the first 100
characters in the list.

Chapter 15. Compiling under z/OS 251

 ddnamelist
Specifies the address of a variable-length list containing alternative
ddnames for the data sets used during COBOL compiler processing. If
standard ddnames are used, the ddnamelist can be omitted.
The ddnamelist must begin on a halfword boundary. The 2 high-order bytes
contain a count of the number of bytes in the remainder of the list. Each
name of less than 8 bytes must be left justified and padded with blanks. If
an alternate ddname is omitted from the list, the standard name will be
assumed. If the name is omitted within the list, the 8-byte entry must
contain binary zeros. You can omit names from the end by shortening the
list.
All SYSUTn data sets specified must be on direct-access storage devices
and have physical sequential organization. They must not reside in the
HFS.
The following table shows the sequence of the 8-byte entries in the
ddnamelist.

ddname 8-byte entry Name for which substituted

1 SYSLIN
2 Not applicable
3 Not applicable
4 SYSLIB
5 SYSIN
6 SYSPRINT
7 SYSPUNCH
8 SYSUT1
9 SYSUT2
10 SYSUT3
11 SYSUT4
12 SYSTERM
13 SYSUT5
14 SYSUT6
15 SYSUT7
16 SYSADATA
17 SYSJAVA
18 SYSDEBUG

VL Specifies that the sign bit is to be set to 1 in the last fullword of the
address parameter list.

When the Enterprise COBOL compiler completes processing, it puts a return code
in register 15.

Defining compiler input and output

You need to define several kinds of data sets that the compiler uses to do its work.
The compiler takes input data sets and libraries and produces various types of
output, including object code, listings, and messages. The compiler also uses utility
data sets during compilation.

RELATED TASKS
“Defining the source code data set (SYSIN)” on page 255
“Specifying source libraries (SYSLIB)” on page 255
“Defining the output data set (SYSPRINT)” on page 256

252 Programming Guide

 “Directing compiler messages to your terminal (SYSTERM)” on page 256
“Creating object code (SYSLIN or SYSPUNCH)” on page 256
“Creating an associated data file (SYSADATA)” on page 257
“Defining the debug data set (SYSDEBUG)” on page 257

RELATED REFERENCES
“Data sets used by the compiler under z/OS”

Data sets used by the compiler under z/OS

The following table lists the function, device requirements, and allowable device
classes for each data set that the compiler uses.

Allowable
Device device Reside
Type ddname Function Required? requirements classes in HFS?
Input SYSIN1 Reads source Yes Card reader; Any Yes
program intermediate
storage
SYSLIB or Reads user source If program has COPY or BASIS Direct access SYSDA No
other copy libraries (PDSs) statements (LIB is required)
libraries1
Utility SYSUT1, Work data set used Yes Direct access SYSDA No
SYSUT2, by compiler during
SYSUT3, compilation
SYSUT4,
SYSUT62
SYSUT52 Work data set used If program has COPY, Direct access SYSDA No
by compiler during REPLACE, or BASIS statements
compilation (LIB is required)
SYSUT72 Work data set used Yes Direct access SYSDA No
by compiler to create
listing

Chapter 15. Compiling under z/OS 253

 Allowable
Device device Reside
Type ddname Function Required? requirements classes in HFS?
Output SYSPRINT1 Writes storage map, Yes Printer; SYSSQ, SYSDA, Yes
listings, and intermediate standard
messages storage output class
A
SYSTERM Writes progress and If TERM is in effect Output Yes
diagnostic messages device; TSO
terminal
SYSPUNCH Creates object code If DECK is in effect Card punch; SYSSQ, SYSDA Yes
direct access
SYSLIN Creates object If OBJECT is in effect Direct access SYSSQ, SYSDA Yes
module data set as
output from compiler
and input to linkage
editor or binder
SYSADATA Writes associated If ADATA or EVENTS is in effect Output Yes
data file records device
SYSJAVA Creates generated If compiling a class (Must be an Yes
Java source file for a definition HFS file)
class definition
SYSUDUMP, Writes dump If DUMP is in effect (should be Direct access SYSDA Yes
SYSABEND, or rarely used)
SYSMDUMP
SYSDEBUG Writes symbolic If TEST(. . .,SYM,SEPARATE) Direct access SYSDA Yes
debug information is in effect
tables to a data set
separate from the
object module

1. You can use the EXIT option to provide user exits from these data sets.
2. These data sets must be single volume.

RELATED REFERENCES
“Logical record length and block size”
“EXIT” on page 301

Logical record length and block size

For compiler data sets other than the work data sets (SYSUTn) and HFS files, you
can set the block size using the BLKSIZE subparameter of the DCB parameter. The
value must be permissible for the device on which the data set resides. The values
you set depend on whether the data sets are fixed length or variable length.

For fixed-length records (RECFM=F or RECFM=FB), LRECL is the logical record length,
and BLKSIZE equals LRECL multiplied by n where n is equal to the blocking factor.
The following table shows the defined values for the fixed-length data sets. In
general, you should not change these values, but you can change the value for:
v SYSDEBUG: You can specify any LRECL in the listed range, with 1024
recommended.
v SYSPRINT, SYSDEBUG: You can specify BLKSIZE=0, which results in a
system-determined block size.

254 Programming Guide

 Data set RECFM LRECL (bytes) BLKSIZE1
SYSIN F or FB 80 80 x n
SYSLIN F or FB 80 80 x n
SYSPUNCH F or FB 80 80 x n
SYSLIB or other copy libraries F or FB 80 80 x n
SYSPRINT 2
F or FB 133 133 x n
SYSTERM F or FB 80 80 x n
SYSDEBUG 2
F or FB 80 to 1024 LRECL x n

1. n = blocking factor
2. If you specify BLKSIZE=0, the system will determine the block size.

For variable-length records (RECFM=V), LRECL is the logical record length, and
BLKSIZE equals LRECL plus 4.

LRECL BLKSIZE (bytes)

Data set RECFM (bytes) minimum acceptable value
SYSADATA VB 1020 1024

Defining the source code data set (SYSIN)

Define the data set that contains your source code with the SYSIN DD statement, as
in:
//SYSIN DD DSNAME=dsname,UNIT=SYSSQ,
// VOLUME=(subparms),DISP=SHR

You can place your source code or BASIS statement directly in the input stream. If
you do, use this SYSIN DD statement:
//SYSIN DD *

When you use the DD * convention, the source code or BASIS statement must
follow the statement. If another job step follows the compilation, the EXEC
statement for that step follows the /* statement or the last source statement.

Specifying source libraries (SYSLIB)

Add the SYSLIB DD statements if your program contains COPY or BASIS statements.
These DD statements define the libraries (partitioned data sets) that contain the data
requested by COPY statements (in the source code) or by a BASIS statement in the
input stream.
//SYSLIB DD DSNAME=copylibname,DISP=SHR

Concatenate multiple DD statements if you have multiple copy or basis libraries.

//SYSLIB DD DSNAME=PROJECT.USERLIB,DISP=SHR
// DD DSNAME=SYSTEM.COPYX,DISP=SHR

Libraries are on direct-access storage devices. They cannot be in the hierarchical

file system when you compile using JCL or under TSO.

You do not need the SYSLIB DD statement if the NOLIB option is in effect.

Chapter 15. Compiling under z/OS 255

 Defining the output data set (SYSPRINT)
You can use SYSPRINT to produce a listing, as in:
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=A

You can direct the output to a SYSOUT data set, a printer, a direct-access storage
device, or a magnetic-tape device. The listing includes the results of the default or
requested options of the PARM parameter (that is, diagnostic messages, the object
code listing).

Specify the following for the data set that you define:
v The name of a sequential data set, the name of a PDS or PDSE member, or an
HFS path.
v A data set LRECL of 133.
v A data set RECFM of F or B.
v A block size, using the BLKSIZE subparameter of the DCB parameter, or let the
system set the system-determined default block size.

Directing compiler messages to your terminal (SYSTERM)

If you are compiling under TSO, you can define the SYSTERM data set to send
compiler messages to your terminal, as in:
ALLOC F(SYSTERM) DA(*)

You can define SYSTERM in various ways, including as a SYSOUT data set, a data
set on disk, a file in the HFS, or to another print class.

Creating object code (SYSLIN or SYSPUNCH)

When using the OBJECT compiler option, you can store the object code on disk as a
traditional MVS data set or an HFS file or on tape. The compiler uses the file that
you define in the SYSLIN or SYSPUNCH DD statement to store the object code.
//SYSLIN DD DSNAME=dsname,UNIT=SYSDA,
// SPACE=(subparms),DISP=(MOD,PASS)

Use the DISP parameter of the SYSLIN DD statement to indicate whether the object
code data set is to be:
v Passed to the linkage editor or binder
v Cataloged
v Kept
v Added to an existing cataloged library

In the example above, the data is created and passed to another job step, the
linkage editor or binder job step.

Your installation might use the DECK option and the SYSPUNCH DD statement.
//SYSPUNCH DD SYSOUT=B

B is the standard output class for punch data sets.

You do not need the SYSLIN DD statement if the NOOBJECT option is in effect. You do
not need the SYSPUNCH DD statement if the NODECK option is in effect.

256 Programming Guide

 RELATED REFERENCES
“OBJECT” on page 311
“DECK” on page 298

Creating an associated data file (SYSADATA)

Define a SYSADATA data set if you use either the ADATA compiler option or the
EVENTS compiler option.
//SYSADATA DD DSNAME=dsname,UNIT=SYSDA

The file defined in the SYSADATA DD statement will be a sequential file containing
specific record types that have information about the program collected during
compilation. The file can be a traditional MVS data set or an HFS file.

RELATED REFERENCES
“ADATA” on page 290

Defining the output Java data set (SYSJAVA)

Add the SYSJAVA DD statement if you are compiling OO programs. The generated
Java source file is written to the SYSJAVA ddname.
//SYSJAVA DD PATH=’/u/userid/java/Classname.java’,
// PATHOPTS=(OWRONLY,OCREAT,OTRUNC),
// PATHMODE=SIRWXU,
// FILEDATA=TEXT

The file must be an HFS file.

RELATED TASKS
“Compiling OO applications using JCL or TSO/E” on page 281

Defining the debug data set (SYSDEBUG)

When you compile from JCL or from TSO and specify the
TEST(. . .,SYM,SEPARATE) compiler option, the symbolic debug information tables
are written to the data set that you specify on the SYSDEBUG DD statement, as in:
//SYSDEBUG DD DSNAME=dsname,UNIT=SYSDA

Specify the following for the data set that you define:
v The name of a sequential data set, the name of a PDS or PDSE member, or an
HFS path.
v A data set LRECL greater than or equal to 80 and less than or equal to 1024. The
default LRECL for SYSDEBUG is 1024.
v A data set RECFM of F or FB.
v A block size, using the BLKSIZE subparameter of the DCB parameter, or let the
system set the system-determined default block size.

| The data set name that you provide on SYSDEBUG is used by Language Environment
| dump services. You cannot change the name of the data set at run time. If you
| want to have a name for this data set that follows the naming conventions for your
| production data sets, use that name when you compile your program. You can
| direct Debug Tool to a renamed data set.

RELATED REFERENCES
“TEST” on page 322

Chapter 15. Compiling under z/OS 257

Specifying compiler options under z/OS
The compiler is installed and set up with default compiler options. While installing
the compiler, the system programmers for a site can fix compiler option settings to,
for example, ensure better performance or maintain certain standards. You cannot
override any compiler options that your site has set as fixed. For options that are
not fixed, you can override the default settings by specifying compiler options in
either of these ways:
v Code them on the PROCESS or CBL statement in your COBOL source.
v Include them when you start the compiler, either on the PARM parameter on the
EXEC statement in your JCL or on the command line under TSO.

The compiler recognizes the options in the following order of precedence from
highest to lowest:
1. Installation defaults that are fixed by your site
2. Values of the BUFSIZE, LIB, OUTDD, SIZE, and SQL compiler options in effect for
the first program in a batch
3. Options specified on PROCESS (or CBL) statements, preceding the IDENTIFICATION
DIVISION
4. Options specified on the compiler invocation (JCL PARM parameter or the TSO
CALL command)
5. Installation defaults that are not fixed

This order of precedence also determines which options are in effect when
conflicting or mutually exclusive options are specified.

Most of the options come in pairs; you select one or the other. For example, the
option pair for a cross-reference listing is XREF|NOXREF. If you want a
cross-reference listing, specify XREF. If you do not want one, specify NOXREF.

Some options have subparameters. For example, if you want 44 lines per page on
your listings, specify LINECOUNT(44).

“Example: specifying compiler options using JCL” on page 259

“Example: specifying compiler options under TSO” on page 259

RELATED TASKS
“Specifying compiler options with the PROCESS (CBL) statement”
“Specifying compiler options in a batch compilation” on page 262

RELATED REFERENCES
“Compiler options and compiler output under z/OS” on page 259
“Conflicting compiler options” on page 289
Chapter 18, “Compiler options” on page 287

Specifying compiler options with the PROCESS (CBL)

statement
You can code compiler options on the PROCESS statement in your COBOL source
programs.

258 Programming Guide

 Place the PROCESS statement before the IDENTIFICATION DIVISION header and before
any comment lines or compiler-directing statements.

You can start PROCESS in columns 1 through 66. A sequence field is allowed in
columns 1 through 6. When used with a sequence field, PROCESS can start in
columns 8 through 66. If used, the sequence field must contain six characters, and
the first character must be numeric.

You can use CBL as a synonym for PROCESS. CBL can start in columns 1 through 70.
When used with a sequence field, CBL can start in columns 8 through 70.

Use one or more blanks to separate PROCESS from the first option in options-list.
Separate options with a comma or a blank. Do not insert spaces between
individual options and their suboptions.

You can use more than one PROCESS statement. If multiple PROCESS statements are
used, they must follow one another with no intervening statement of any other
type. You cannot continue options across multiple PROCESS statements.

Your programming organization can inhibit the use of PROCESS statements with the
default options module of the COBOL compiler. When PROCESS statements are
found in a COBOL program where not allowed by the organization, the COBOL
compiler generates error diagnostics.

Example: specifying compiler options using JCL

The following example shows how to specify compiler options under z/OS using
JCL:
. . .
//STEP1 EXEC PGM=IGYCRCTL,
// PARM=’LIST,NOCOMPILE(S),OBJECT,FLAG(E,E)’

Example: specifying compiler options under TSO

The following example shows how to specify compiler options under TSO:
. . .

READY

CALL ’SYS1.LINKLIB(IGYCRCTL)’ ’LIST,NOCOMPILE(S),OBJECT,FLAG(E,E)’

Compiler options and compiler output under z/OS

When the compiler finishes processing your source program, it will have produced
one or more of the following, depending on the compiler options you selected:

Compiler option Compiler output Type of output

ADATA or EVENTS Information about the program being compiled Associated data file
DLL Object module that is enabled for DLL support Object
DUMP System dump, if compilation ended with abnormal Listing
termination (requires SYSUDUMP, SYSABEND, or SYSMDUMP
DD statement); should be used rarely
EXPORTALL Exported symbols for a DLL Object
FLAG List of errors that the compiler found in your program Listing
LIST Listing of object code in machine and assembler Listing
language

Chapter 15. Compiling under z/OS 259

Compiler option Compiler output Type of output
MAP Map of the data items in your program Listing
NUMBER User-supplied line numbers shown in listing Listing
OBJECT or DECK with COMPILE Your object code Object
OFFSET Map of the relative addresses in your object code Listing
OPTIMIZE Optimized object code if OBJECT in effect Object
RENT Reentrant object code if OBJECT in effect Object
SOURCE Listing of your source program Listing
SQL SQL statements and host variable information for DB2 Database request module
bind process
SSRANGE Extra code for checking references within tables In object
TERMINAL Progress and diagnostic messages sent to terminal Terminal
TEST( hook location Compiled-in hooks for Debug Tool Extra code in object
suboption)
TEST(SYM,NOSEP) Information tables for Debug Tool and for formatted Object
dumps
TEST(SYM,SEP) Information tables for Debug Tool and for formatted Debug information side file
dumps
VBREF Cross-reference listing of verbs in your source program Listing
XREF Sorted cross-reference listing of names of procedures, Listing
programs, and data

Listing output from compilation will be in the data set defined by SYSPRINT; object
output will be in SYSLIN or SYSPUNCH. Progress and diagnostic messages can be
directed to the SYSTERM data set as well as included in the SYSPRINT data set.
Associated data file records will be in the data set defined by SYSADATA. The
database request module (DBRM) will be the data set defined in DBRMLIB. The
debug information side file will be the data set defined in SYSDEBUG.

Save the listings you produced during compilation. You can use them during the
testing of your work if you need to debug or tune.

After compilation, your next step will be to fix any errors that the compiler found
in your program.

If no errors are detected, you can go to the next step in the process: link-editing, or
binding, your program. (If you used compiler options to suppress object code
generation, you must recompile to obtain object code.)

RELATED REFERENCES
“Messages and listings for compiler-detected errors” on page 266
Chapter 18, “Compiler options” on page 287

RELATED TASKS
Preparing to link-edit and run under Language Environment (Language
Environment Programming Guide)

260 Programming Guide

Compiling multiple programs (batch compilation)
You can compile a sequence of separate COBOL programs with a single invocation
of the compiler. You can link the object program produced from this compilation
into one load module or separate load modules, controlled by the NAME compiler
option.

When you compile several programs as part of a batch job, you need to:
v Determine whether you want to create one or more load modules.
v Terminate each program in the sequence.
v Specify compiler options, with an awareness of the effect of compiler options
specified in programs within the batch job.

To create separate load modules, precede each set of modules with the NAME option.
When the compiler encounters a NAME compiler option, the first program in the
sequence and all subsequent programs are link-edited into a single load module,
until the next NAME compiler option is encountered. Then, each successive program
that is compiled with the NAME option is included in a separate load module.

Use the END PROGRAM marker to terminate each program in the sequence (except the
last program in the batch for which the END PROGRAM marker is optional).
Alternatively, you can precede each program in the sequence with a CBL or PROCESS
statement.

If you omit the END PROGRAM marker from a program (other than the last program
in a sequence of separate programs), the next program in the sequence will be
nested in the preceding program. An error can occur in either of the following
situations:
v A PROCESS statement is in a program that is now nested.
v A CBL statement is not coded entirely in the sequence number area (columns 1
through 6).
If a CBL statement is coded entirely in the sequence number area (columns 1
through 6), no error message is issued for the CBL statement because it is
considered a label for the source statement line.

“Example: batch compilation”

RELATED TASKS
“Specifying compiler options in a batch compilation” on page 262

RELATED REFERENCES
“NAME” on page 308

Example: batch compilation

The following example shows a batch compilation for three programs (PROG1,
PROG2, and PROG3) creating two load modules, using one invocation of the IGYWCL
cataloged procedure:
v PROG1 and PROG2 are link-edited together to form one load module with a name
of PROG2. The entry point of this load module defaults to the first program in the
load module, PROG1.
v PROG3 is link-edited by itself into a load module with the name PROG3. Because it
is the only program in the load module, the entry point is also PROG3.

Chapter 15. Compiling under z/OS 261

 //jobname JOB acctno,name,MSGLEVEL=1
//stepname EXEC IGYWCL
//COBOL.SYSIN DD *
010100 IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
010200 PROGRAM-ID PROG1.
. . .
019000 END PROGRAM PROG1.
020100 IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
020200 PROGRAM-ID PROG2.
. . .
029000 END PROGRAM PROG2.
CBL NAME
030100 IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
030200 PROGRAM-ID PROG3.
. . .
039000 END PROGRAM PROG3.
/*
//LKED.SYSLMOD DD DSN=&&GOSET (1)
/*
//P2 EXEC PGM=PROG2
//STEPLIB DD DSN=&&GOSET,DISP=(SHR,PASS) (2)
. . . (3)
/*
//P3 EXEC PGM=PROG3
//STEPLIB DD DSN=&&GOSET,DISP=(SHR,PASS) (2)
. . . (3)
/*
//
(1) The data set name for the LKED step SYSLMOD is changed to the temporary
name &&GOSET, without any member name.
(2) The temporary data set &&GOSET is used as the STEPLIB for steps P2 and P3
to run the compiled programs. If the Language Environment library does
not reside in shared storage, you must also add the library data set as a DD
statement for STEPLIB.
(3) Other DD statements and input that are required to run PROG1 and PROG2
must be added.
(4) Other DD statements and input that are required to run PROG3 must be
added.

RELATED REFERENCES
IBM-supplied cataloged procedures (Language Environment Programming Guide)

Specifying compiler options in a batch compilation

You can specify compiler options for each program in the batch sequence in either
of the usual ways:
v CBL or PROCESS statements preceding a program
v Invocation of the compiler

If a CBL or PROCESS statement is specified in the current program, the compiler

resolves the CBL or PROCESS statements together with the options in effect before
the first program. If the current program does not contain CBL or PROCESS
statements, the compiler uses the settings of options in effect for the previous
program.

You should be aware of the effect of certain compiler options on the precedence of
compiler option settings for each program in the sequence:
1. Installation defaults that are fixed at your site

262 Programming Guide

 2. Values of the BUFSIZE, LIB, OUTDD, SIZE, and SQL compiler options in effect for
the first program in the batch
3. Options on CBL or PROCESS statements, if any, for the current program
4. Options specified on the compiler invocation (JCL PARM or TSO CALL)
5. Installation defaults that are not fixed

If any program in the sequence requires the BUF, LIB, OUTDD, SIZE, or SQL option,
that option must be in effect for the first program in the batch sequence. (When
processing BASIS, COPY, or REPLACE statements, the compiler handles all programs
in the batch as a single input file.)

If you specify the LIB option for the batch, you cannot change the NUMBER and
SEQUENCE options during the batch compilation. The compiler treats all programs in
the batch as a single input file during NUMBER and SEQUENCE processing under the
LIB option; therefore, the sequence numbers of the entire input file must be in
ascending order.

If the compiler diagnoses the LANGUAGE option on the CBL or PROCESS statement as
an error, the language selection reverts to what was in effect before the compiler
encountered the first CBL or PROCESS statement. The language in effect during a
batch compilation conforms to the rules of processing CBL or PROCESS statements in
that environment.

“Example: precedence of options in a batch compilation”

“Example: LANGUAGE option in a batch compilation” on page 264

Example: precedence of options in a batch compilation

The following listing shows the compiler options hierarchy for a batch compile.
PP 5655-G53 IBM Enterprise COBOL for z/OS and OS/390 3.2.0 Date 08/21/2002. . .

INVOCATION PARAMETERS:
NOTERM

PROCESS(CBL) statements:
CBL CURRENCY,FLAG(I,I)

Options in effect: All options are installation defaults unless otherwise noted:
NOADATA
ADV
QUOTE
NOAWO
BUFSIZE(4096)
CURRENCY Process option PROGRAM 1
.
.
FLAG(I,I) Process option PROGRAM 1
.
.
NOTERM INVOCATION option
.
.
End of compilation for program 1
.
.
PP 5655-G53 IBM Enterprise COBOL for z/OS and OS/390 3.2.0 Date 08/21/2002. . .
PROCESS(CBL) statements:
CBL APOST
Options in effect:
NOADATA
ADV

Chapter 15. Compiling under z/OS 263

 APOST Process option PROGRAM 2
NOAWO
BUFSIZE(4096)
NOCURRENCY Installation default option for PROGRAM 2
.
.
FLAG(I) Installation default option
.
.
NOTERM INVOCATION option remains in effect
.
.
End of compilation for program 2

Example: LANGUAGE option in a batch compilation

The following example shows the behavior of the LANGUAGE compiler option in a
batch environment. The default installation option is ENGLISH (abbreviated to EN),
and the invocation option is XX (a nonexistent language).

Source Language in
effect
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBL LANG(JP),FLAG(I,I),APOST,SIZE(MAX) |EN| Installation default -- EN
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION. |JP| Invocation -- XX
PROGRAM-ID. COMPILE1. |: |
. . . |: |
END PROGRAM COMPILE1. |: |
CBL LANGUAGE(YY) |EN| CBL resets language
CBL SIZE(2048K),LANGUAGE(JP),LANG(!!) |: | to EN. LANGUAGE(YY)
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION. |JP| is ignored because it
PROGRAM-ID. COMPILE2. |: | is superseded by (JP).
. . . |: | (!!) is not alpha-
END PROGRAM COMPILE2. |: | numeric and is
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION. |: | discarded.
PROGRAM-ID. COMPILE3. |: |
. . . |: |
END PROGRAM COMPILE3. |: |
CBL LANGUAGE(JP),LANGUAGE(YY) |EN| CBL resets language
. . . |: | to EN. LANGUAGE(YY)
. . . |: | supersedes (JP) but
. . . |: | is nonexistent.

For the program COMPILE1, the default language English (EN) is in effect when
the compiler scans the invocation options. A diagnostic message is issued in
mixed-case English because XX is a nonexistent language identifier. The default EN
remains in effect when the compiler scans the CBL statement. The unrecognized
option APOST in the CBL statement is diagnosed in mixed-case English because the
CBL statement has not completed processing and EN was the last valid language
option. After the compiler processes the CBL options, the language in effect
becomes Japanese (JP).

In the program COMPILE2, the compiler diagnoses CBL statement errors in

mixed-case English because English is the language in effect before the first
program is used. If more than one LANGUAGE option is specified, only the last valid
language specified is used. In this example, the last valid language is Japanese (JP),
and therefore Japanese becomes the language in effect when the compiler finishes
processing the CBL options. If you want diagnostics in Japanese for the options in
the CBL or PROCESS statements, the language in effect before COMPILE1 must be
Japanese.

264 Programming Guide

 The program COMPILE3 has no CBL statement, and so it inherits the language in
effect, Japanese (JP), from the previous compilation.

After compiling COMPILE3, the compiler resets the language in effect to English
(EN) because of the CBL statement. The language option in the CBL statement
resolves the last-specified two-character alphanumeric language identifier, which is
YY. Because YY is nonexistent, the language in effect remains English.

Correcting errors in your source program

Messages about source code errors indicate where the error happened (LINEID),
and the text of the message tells you what the problem is. With this information,
you can correct the source program and recompile.

Although you should try to correct errors, it is not necessary to fix all of them. A
warning-level or informational-level message can be left in a program without
much risk, and you might decide that the recoding and compilation needed to
remove the error are not worth the effort. Severe-level and error-level errors,
however, indicate probable program failure and should be corrected.

Unrecoverable-level errors are in a class by themselves. In contrast with the four

lower levels of errors, a U-level error might not result from a mistake in your
source program. It could come from a flaw in the compiler itself or in the
operating system. In any case, the problem must be resolved, because the compiler
is forced to end early and does not produce complete object code and listing. If the
message is received for a program with many S-level syntax errors, correct those
errors and compile the program again. You can also resolve job set-up cases
yourself (problems such as missing data set definitions or insufficient storage for
compiler processing) by making changes to the compile job. If your compile job
set-up is correct and you have corrected the S-level syntax errors, you need to call
IBM to investigate other U-level errors.

After correcting the errors in your source program, recompile the program. If this
second compilation is successful, go on to the link-editing step. If the compiler still
finds problems, repeat the above procedure until only informational messages are
returned.

RELATED TASKS
“Generating a list of compiler error messages”

RELATED REFERENCES
“Messages and listings for compiler-detected errors” on page 266

Generating a list of compiler error messages

You can generate a complete listing of compiler diagnostic messages, with their
explanations, by compiling a program with a program name of ERRMSG specified in
the PROGRAM-ID paragraph, like this:
Identification Division.
Program-ID. ErrMsg.

You can omit the rest of the program.

Chapter 15. Compiling under z/OS 265

 Messages and listings for compiler-detected errors
As the compiler processes your source program, it checks for COBOL language
errors that you might have made. For each error found, the compiler issues a
message. These messages are collated in the compiler listing (subject to the FLAG
option).

Each message in the listing gives the following information:

v Nature of the error
v Compiler phase that detected the error
v Severity level of the error

Wherever possible, the message provides specific instructions for correcting the
error.

The messages for errors found during processing of compiler options, CBL and
PROCESS statements, or BASIS, COPY, and REPLACE statements are displayed near the
top of your listing.

The messages for compilation errors found in your program (ordered by line
number) are displayed near the end of the listing for each program.

A summary of all errors found during compilation is displayed near the bottom of
your listing.

RELATED TASKS
“Correcting errors in your source program” on page 265
“Generating a list of compiler error messages” on page 265

RELATED REFERENCES
“Format of compiler error messages”
“Severity codes for compiler error messages” on page 267
“FLAG” on page 302

Format of compiler error messages

Each message issued by the compiler has the following form:
nnnnnn IGYppxxxx-l message-text
nnnnnn
The number of the source statement of the last line the compiler was
processing. Source statement numbers are listed on the source printout of
your program. If you specified the NUMBER option at compile time, these are
your original source program numbers. If you specified NONUMBER, the
numbers are those generated by the compiler.
IGY The prefix that identifies this message as coming from the COBOL
compiler.
pp Two characters that identify which phase or subphase of the compiler
discovered the error. As an application programmer, you can ignore this
information. If you are diagnosing a suspected compiler error, contact IBM
for support.
xxxx A four-digit number that identifies the error message.
l A character that indicates the severity level of the error: I, W, E, S, or U.

266 Programming Guide

 message-text
The message text itself which, in the case of an error message, is a short
explanation of the condition that caused the error.

Tip: If you used the FLAG option to suppress messages, there might be additional
errors in your program.

RELATED REFERENCES
“Severity codes for compiler error messages”
“FLAG” on page 302

Severity codes for compiler error messages

Errors the compiler can detect fall into the following five categories of severity:

Level of message Purpose

Informational (I) To inform you. No action is required and the program executes
(return code=0) correctly.
Warning (W) To indicate a possible error. The program probably executes
(return code=4) correctly as written.
Error (E) To indicate a condition that is definitely an error. The compiler
(return code=8) attempted to correct the error, but the results of program execution
might not be what you expect. You should correct the error.
Severe (S) To indicate a condition that is a serious error. The compiler was
(return code=12) unable to correct the error. The program does not execute correctly,
and execution should not be attempted. Object code might not be
created.
Unrecoverable (U) To indicate an error condition of such magnitude that the
(return code=16) compilation was terminated.

Chapter 15. Compiling under z/OS 267

268 Programming Guide
Chapter 16. Compiling under UNIX
You can compile Enterprise COBOL programs under UNIX using the cob2
command. Under UNIX, you can compile any COBOL source program that you
compile under z/OS. The object code generated under UNIX by the COBOL
compiler can run under z/OS.

As part of the compilation step, you need to define the files needed for the
compilation and specify any compiler options necessary for your program and for
the output that you want.

The main job of the compiler is to translate your COBOL program into language
that the computer can process (object code). The compiler also lists errors in your
source statements and provides supplementary information to help you debug and
tune your program. Use compiler-directing statements and compiler options to
control your compilation.

RELATED TASKS
“Setting environment variables under UNIX”
“Specifying compiler options under UNIX” on page 270
“Compiling and linking with the cob2 command” on page 271
“Compiling using scripts” on page 275
“Compiling, linking, and running OO applications under UNIX” on page 277

RELATED REFERENCES
“Data sets used by the compiler under z/OS” on page 253
“Compiler options and compiler output under z/OS” on page 259

Setting environment variables under UNIX

An environment variable is a name associated with a string of characters. You use
environment variables to set values that programs, including the compiler, need.
Set the environment variables for the compiler by using the export shell command.
For example, to set the SYSLIB variable, issue the export command from the shell
or from a script file:
export SYSLIB=/u/mystuff/copybooks

The value that you assign to an environment variable can include other
environment variables or the variable itself. The values of these variables apply
only when you compile from the shell where you issue the export command. If
you do not set an environment variable, either a default value is applied or the
variable is not defined. The environment variable names must be uppercase.

The environment variables that you can set for use by the compiler are as follows:
COBOPT
Specify compiler options separated by blanks or commas. Separate
suboptions with commas. Blanks at the beginning or the end of the
variable value are ignored. Delimit the list of options with quotation marks
if it contains blanks or characters significant to the UNIX shell. For
example:
export COBOPT=“TRUNC(OPT) XREF”

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 269

 SYSLIB
Specify paths to directories to be used in searching for COBOL copybooks
when you do not specify an explicit library-name on the COPY statement.
Separate multiple paths with a colon. The paths are evaluated in order,
from the first path to the last in the export command. If you set the
variable with multiple files of the same name, the first located copy of the
file is used.
For COPY statements in which you have not coded an explicit library-name,
the compiler searches for copybooks in this order:
1. In the current directory
2. In the paths you specify with the -I cob2 option
3. In the paths you specify in the SYSLIB environment variable
library-name
Specify the directory path from which to copy when you specify an explicit
library-name on the COPY statement. The environment variable name is
identical to the library-name in your program. You must set an environment
variable for each library; an error will occur otherwise. The environment
variable name library-name must be uppercase.
text-name
Specify the name of the file from which to copy text. The environment
variable name is identical to the text-name in your program. The
environment variable name text-name must be uppercase.

RELATED TASKS
“Specifying compiler options under UNIX”
“Compiling and linking with the cob2 command” on page 271
“Setting and accessing environment variables” on page 398

RELATED REFERENCES
“Compiler-directing statements” on page 332
Chapter 18, “Compiler options” on page 287
COPY statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Specifying compiler options under UNIX

The compiler is installed and set up with default compiler options. While installing
the compiler, the system programmers for a site can fix compiler option settings to,
for example, ensure better performance or maintain certain standards. You cannot
override any compiler options that your site has set as fixed. For options that are
not fixed, you can override the default settings by specifying compiler options in
any of three ways:
1. Code them on the PROCESS or CBL statement in your COBOL source.
2. Specify the -q option of the cob2 command.
3. Set the COBOPT environment variable.

The compiler recognizes the options in the above order of precedence.

The order of precedence also determines which options are in effect when
conflicting or mutually exclusive options are specified. When you compile using
the cob2 command, compiler options are recognized in the following order of
precedence from highest to lowest:
1. Installation defaults fixed as nonoverridable

270 Programming Guide

 2. The values of BUFSIZE, LIB, SQL, OUTDD, and SIZE options in effect for the first
program in a batch compilation
3. The values that you specify on PROCESS or CBL statements within your COBOL
source programs
4. The values that you specify in the cob2 command’s -q option string
5. The values that you specify in the COBOPT environment variable
6. Installation defaults that are not fixed

RELATED TASKS
“Specifying compiler options with the PROCESS (CBL) statement” on page 258
“Setting environment variables under UNIX” on page 269
“Compiling and linking with the cob2 command”

RELATED REFERENCES
“Conflicting compiler options” on page 289
Chapter 18, “Compiler options” on page 287

Compiling and linking with the cob2 command

Use the cob2 command to compile and link your COBOL programs from the UNIX
shell. You can specify the options and input file names in any order, using spaces
to separate options and names. Any options that you specify apply to all files on
the command line.

To compile multiple files (batch compilation), specify multiple source file names.

When you compile COBOL programs for UNIX, the RENT option is required. The
cob2 command automatically includes the COBOL compiler options RENT and TERM.

The cob2 command invokes the COBOL compiler that is found through the
standard MVS search order. If the COBOL compiler is not installed in the LNKLST,
or if more than one level of IBM COBOL compiler is installed on your system, you
can specify the compiler PDS that you want to use in the STEPLIB environment
variable. For example:
export STEPLIB=IGY.V3R2M0.SIGYCOMP

The cob2 command implicitly uses the UNIX shell command c89 for the link step.
c89 is the shell interface to the linker (the DFSMS program management binder).

Defining input and output

The default location for compiler input and output is the current directory.

Only files with the .cbl extension are passed to the compiler; cob2 passes all other
files to the linker.

The linker causes execution to begin at the first main program.

Listing output that you request from the compilation of a COBOL source program
file.cbl is written to file.lst. Listing output that you request from the linker is
written to stdout.

Chapter 16. Compiling under UNIX 271

 Creating a DLL
To create a DLL, you must specify the cob2 option -bdll. The COBOL compiler
options DLL, EXPORTALL, and RENT are required when you create a DLL and are
included for you when you specify the -bdll cob2 option. For example:
cob2 -o mydll -bdll mysub.cbl

When you specify cob2 -bdll, the link step produces a DLL definition side file.
This file contains IMPORT control statements for each of the names exported by the
DLL. The name of the DLL definition side file is based on the output file name. If
the output name has an extension, that extension is replaced with x to form the
side file name. For example, if the output file name is foo.dll, the side file name is
foo.x.

To use the DLL definition side files later when you create a module that calls the
DLL, specify the side files with any other object files (file.o) that you specify for the
linking. For example:
cob2 -o myappl -qdll myappl.cbl mydll.x

“Example: using cob2 to compile under UNIX”

RELATED TASKS
“Compiling programs to create DLLs” on page 438
“Preparing OO applications under UNIX” on page 278
Language Environment Programming Guide
UNIX System Services User’s Guide

RELATED REFERENCES
“cob2” on page 273
“cob2 input and output files” on page 274
“Data sets used by the compiler under z/OS” on page 253
“Compiler options and compiler output under z/OS” on page 259
UNIX System Services Command Reference

Example: using cob2 to compile under UNIX

The following examples illustrate the use of cob2:
v To compile one file called alpha.cbl, enter:
cob2 -c alpha.cbl

The compiled file is named alpha.o.

v To compile two files called alpha.cbl and beta.cbl, enter:
cob2 -c alpha.cbl beta.cbl

The compiled files are named alpha.o and beta.o.

v To link two files, compile them without the -c option. For example, to compile
and link alpha.cbl and beta.cbl and generate gamma, enter:
cob2 alpha.cbl beta.cbl -o gamma

This command creates alpha.o and beta.o, then links alpha.o, beta.o, and the
COBOL libraries. If the link step is successful, it produces an executable program
named gamma.
v To compile alpha.cbl with the LIST and NODATA options, enter:
cob2 -qlist,noadata alpha.cbl

272 Programming Guide

cob2

Do not capitalize cob2.

The options for cob2 are:

-bxxx Passes the string xxx to the linker as parameters. xxx is a list of linker
options in name=value format, separated by commas. You must spell out
both the name and the value in full. They are case insensitive. Do not use
any spaces between -b and xxx.
If you do not specify a value for an option, a default value of YES is used,
except for the following options, which have the indicated default values:
v LIST=NOIMPORT
v ALIASES=ALL
v COMPAT=CURRENT
v DYNAM=DLL

One special value for xxx is dll, which specifies that the executable
module is to be a DLL. It is not passed to the linker.
-c Compiles programs but does not link them.
-comprc_ok=n
Controls cob2 behavior on the return code from the compiler. If the return
code is less than or equal to n, cob2 continues to the link step or, in the
compile-only case, exits with a zero return code. If the return code
returned by the compiler is greater than n, cob2 exits with the same return
code. When the c89 command is implicitly invoked by cob2 for the link
step, the exit value from the c89 command is used as the return code from
the cob2 command.
The default is -comprc_ok=4.
-e xxx Specifies the name of a program to be used as the entry point of the
module. If you do not specify -e, the default entry point is the first
program (file.cbl) or object file (file.o) that you specify as a file name on the
cob2 command invocation.
-g Prepares the program for debugging. Equivalent to specifying the TEST
option with no suboptions.
-Ixxx Adds a path xxx to the directories to be searched for copybooks for which
you do not specify a library-name.
To specify multiple paths, either use multiple -I options, or use a colon to
separate multiple path names within a single -I option value.
For COPY statements where you have not coded an explicit library-name,
the compiler searches for copybooks in this order:
1. In the current directory
2. In the paths you specify with the -I cob2 option
3. In the paths you specify in the SYSLIB environment variable

Chapter 16. Compiling under UNIX 273

 If you use the COPY statement, you must ensure that the LIB compiler
option is in effect.
-L xxx Specifies the directory paths to be used to search for archive libraries
specified by the -l operand.
-l xxx Specifies the name of an archive library for the linker. The cob2 command
searches for the name libxxx.a in the directories specified in the -L option,
then in the usual search order. (This option is lowercase “el,” not
uppercase “eye.”)
-o xxx Names the object module xxx. If the -o option is not used, the name of the
object module is a.out.
-qxxx Passes xxx to the compiler, where xxx is a list of compiler options
separated by blanks or commas.
Enclose xxx in quotes if a parenthesis is part of the option or suboption, or
if you use blanks to separate options. Do not insert spaces between -q and
xxx.
-v Displays the generated commands that are issued by cob2 for the compile
and link steps, including the options being passed, and executes them. This
is sample output:
cob2 -v -o mini -qssrange mini.cbl
compiler: ATTCRCTL PARM=RENT,TERM,SSRANGE /u/userid/cobol/mini.cbl
PP 5655-G53 IBM Enterprise COBOL for z/OS and OS/390 3.2.0 in progress ...
End of compilation 1, program mini, no statements flagged.
linker: /bin/c89 -o mini -e // mini.o
-# Displays compile and link steps, but does not execute them.

RELATED TASKS
“Compiling and linking with the cob2 command” on page 271
“Setting environment variables under UNIX” on page 269

cob2 input and output files

You can specify the following files as input file names when you use the cob2
command:

File name Description Comments

file.cbl COBOL source file to be compiled Will not be linked if you specify the
and linked cob2 option -c
file.a Archive file Produced by the ar command, to be
used during the link-edit phase
file.o Object file to be link-edited Can be produced by the COBOL
compiler, the C/C++ compiler, or the
assembler
file.x DLL definition side file Used during the link-edit phase of an
application that references the dynamic
link library (DLL)

When you use the cob2 command, the following files are created in the current
directory:

File name Description Comments

file Executable module or DLL Created by the linker if you specify the
cob2 option -o file

274 Programming Guide

 File name Description Comments
a.out Executable module or DLL Created by the linker if you do not
specify the cob2 option -o
file.adt Associated data (ADATA) file Created by the compiler if you specify
corresponding to input COBOL the compiler option ADATA
source program file.cbl
file.dbg Symbolic information tables for Created by the compiler if you specify
Debug Tool corresponding to input the compiler option
COBOL source program file.cbl TEST(hook,SYM,SEPARATE)
file.lst Listing file corresponding to input Created by the compiler
COBOL source program file.cbl
file.o Object file corresponding to input Created by the compiler
COBOL source program file.cbl
file.x DLL definition side file Created during the cob2 linking phase
when creating a DLL named file.dll
class.java Java class definition (source) Created when you compile a class
definition

RELATED TASKS
“Compiling and linking with the cob2 command” on page 271

RELATED REFERENCES
“ADATA” on page 290
“TEST” on page 322
UNIX System Services Command Reference

Compiling using scripts

To use a shell script to automate your cob2 tasks, use the following syntax to
prevent the shell from passing syntax to cob2 that is not valid:
v Use an equal sign and colon rather than left and right parentheses, respectively,
to specify compiler suboptions. For example, use -qOPT=FULL:,XREF instead of
-qOPT(FULL),XREF.
v Use an underscore rather than an apostrophe where a compiler option requires
apostrophes for delimiting a suboption.
v Do not use blanks in the option string.

Chapter 16. Compiling under UNIX 275

276 Programming Guide
 Chapter 17. Compiling, linking, and running OO applications
| It is recommended that you compile, link, and run object-oriented (OO)
| applications in a z/OS UNIX environment. However, with certain limitations
| discussed in the related tasks, it is possible to compile, link, and run OO COBOL
| applications by using standard batch JCL or TSO/E commands.

RELATED TASKS
“Compiling, linking, and running OO applications under UNIX”
“Compiling, linking, and running OO applications using JCL or TSO/E” on
page 281

Compiling, linking, and running OO applications under UNIX

| When you compile, link, and run OO applications in a z/OS UNIX environment:
| v Application components reside in the HFS.
| v You compile and link them by using UNIX shell commands.
| v You run them at a UNIX shell command prompt or with the BPXBATCH utility
| from JCL or TSO/E.

RELATED TASKS
“Compiling OO applications under UNIX”
“Preparing OO applications under UNIX” on page 278
“Running OO applications under UNIX” on page 279

Compiling OO applications under UNIX

| When you compile OO applications in a UNIX shell, use the following commands:
| v cob2 to compile COBOL client programs and class definitions
| v javac to compile Java class definitions to produce bytecode (extension .class)

| To compile COBOL source code that contains OO syntax such as INVOKE statements
or class definitions, or that uses Java services, you must use these options: RENT,
DLL, THREAD, and DBCS. (The RENT and DBCS compiler options are defaults.)

| A COBOL source file that contains a class definition must not contain any other
| class or program definitions.

When you compile a COBOL class definition, two output files are generated:
| v The object file (.o) for the class definition.
| v A Java source program (.java) that contains a class definition that corresponds to
the COBOL class definition. Do not edit this generated Java class definition in
| any way. If you change the COBOL class definition, you must regenerate both
the object file and the Java class definition by recompiling the updated COBOL
| class definition.

| If a COBOL client program or class definition includes the JNI.cpy file using a COPY
statement, specify the include subdirectory of the cobol directory (typically
/usr/lpp/cobol/include) in the search order for copybooks. You can do this by
using the -I option of the cob2 command or by setting the SYSLIB environment
variable.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 277

 RELATED TASKS
Chapter 16, “Compiling under UNIX” on page 269
“Preparing OO applications under UNIX”
“Running OO applications under UNIX” on page 279
“Setting and accessing environment variables” on page 398
“Accessing JNI services” on page 501

RELATED REFERENCES
“cob2” on page 273
“DBCS” on page 298
“DLL” on page 299
“RENT” on page 316
“THREAD” on page 325

Preparing OO applications under UNIX

Use the cob2 command to link OO COBOL applications.

| To prepare an OO COBOL client program for execution, link the object file with
| the following two DLL side files to create an executable module:
v libjvm.x, which is provided with the IBM Developer Kit for OS/390, Java 2
Technology Edition.
v igzcjava.x, which is provided in the lib subdirectory of the cobol directory in
the HFS. The typical complete path name is /usr/lpp/cobol/lib/igzcjava.x.
This DLL side file is also available as the member IGZCJAVA in the SCEELIB
PDS (part of Language Environment).

To prepare a COBOL class definition for execution, process the following files:
| 1. Link the object file using the two DLL side files discussed above to create an
executable DLL module.
You must name the resulting DLL module libClassname.so, where Classname is
the external class-name. If the class is part of a package and thus there are
periods in the external class-name, you must change the periods to underscores
in the DLL module name. For example, if class Account is part of the com.acme
package, the external class-name (as defined in the REPOSITORY paragraph entry
for the class) must be com.acme.Account, and the DLL module for the class
must be libcom_acme_Account.so.
2. Compile the generated Java source with the Java compiler to create a class file
(.class).

For a COBOL source file Classname.cbl that contains the class definition for
| Classname, you would use the following commands to compile and link the
| components of the application:

Command Input Output

cob2 -c -qdll,thread Classname.cbl Classname.cbl Classname.o
Classname.java
cob2 -bdll -o libClassname.so Classname.o Classname.o libClassname.so
/usr/lpp/java/IBM/J1.3/bin/classic/libjvm.x
/usr/lpp/cobol/lib/igzcjava.x
javac Classname.java Classname.java Classname.class

278 Programming Guide

 After you have issued the cob2 and javac commands successfully, you have the
executable components for the program: the executable DLL module
libClassname.so and the class file Classname.class.

All files from these commands are generated in the current working directory.

“Example: compiling and linking a COBOL class definition under UNIX”

RELATED TASKS
Chapter 16, “Compiling under UNIX” on page 269
“REPOSITORY paragraph for defining a class” on page 464

RELATED REFERENCES
“cob2” on page 273

Example: compiling and linking a COBOL class definition

under UNIX
This chart illustrates the commands that you use and the files that are produced
| when you compile and link a COBOL class definition, Manager.cbl, using UNIX
| shell commands:

| The class file Manager.class and the DLL module libManager.so are the executable
| components of the application, and are generated in the current working directory.

Running OO applications under UNIX

| It is recommended that you run object-oriented COBOL applications as UNIX
| applications. You must do so if the application begins with a Java program or the
| main factory method of a COBOL class.

Chapter 17. Compiling, linking, and running OO applications 279

 Specify the directory that contains the DLLs for the COBOL classes in the LIBPATH
| environment variable. Specify the directory paths for the Java class files that are
| associated with the COBOL classes in the CLASSPATH environment variable as
| follows:
| v For classes that are not part of a package, end the class path with the directory
| that contains the .class files.
| v For classes that are part of a package, end the class path with the directory that
| contains the “root” package (the first package in the full package name).
| v For a .jar file that contains .class files, end the class path with the name of the
| .jar file.

| Separate multiple path entries with colons.

Running applications that start with a main method

| If the first routine of a mixed COBOL and Java application is the main method of a
| Java class or the main factory method of a COBOL class, run the application by
using the java command and by specifying the name of the class that contains the
| main method. The java command initializes the Java virtual machine (JVM).

| To customize the initialization of the JVM, specify options on the java command as
| in the following examples:

| Purpose Option
| To set a system property -Dname=value
| To request that the JVM generate verbose messages about -verbose:gc
| garbage collection
| To request that the JVM generate verbose messages about class -verbose:class
| loading
| To request that the JVM generate verbose messages about -verbose:jni
| native methods and other Java Native Interface activity
| To set the initial Java heap size to value bytes -Xmsvalue
| To set the maximum Java heap size to value bytes -Xmxvalue

| See the output from the java -h command or the related references for details
| about the options that the JVM supports.

Running applications that start with a COBOL program

| If the first routine of a mixed COBOL and Java application is a COBOL program,
| run the application by specifying the program name at the command prompt. If a
| JVM is not already running in the process of the COBOL program, the COBOL run
| time automatically initializes a JVM.

| To customize the initialization of the JVM, specify options by setting the

| COBJVMINITOPTIONS environment variable. For example:
| export COBJVMINITOPTIONS=“-Xms10000000, -Xmx20000000, -verbose:gc”

| Use blanks or commas to separate options.

| Running J2EE COBOL clients: You can use OO syntax in a COBOL program to
| implement a Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EE) client. You can, for
| example, invoke methods on enterprise beans that run in the WebSphere for z/OS
| or OS/390 environment.

280 Programming Guide

| Before you run a COBOL J2EE client, you must set the Java system property
| java.naming.factory.initial to access WebSphere naming services. For example:
| export COBJVMINITOPTIONS
| =“-Djava.naming.factory.initial=com.ibm.websphere.naming.WsnInitialContextFactory”

“Example: J2EE client written in COBOL” on page 512

RELATED TASKS
Chapter 23, “Running COBOL programs under UNIX” on page 397
“Setting and accessing environment variables” on page 398
Chapter 28, “Writing object-oriented programs” on page 459
“Structuring OO applications” on page 498

RELATED REFERENCES
JVM options (New IBM Technology featuring Persistent Reusable Java Virtual Machines)
Java Naming and Directory Interface (JNDI) (WebSphere for z/OS: Assembling J2EE
Applications)

Compiling, linking, and running OO applications using JCL or TSO/E

| It is recommended that you compile, link, and run applications that use OO syntax
| in a z/OS UNIX environment. However, in limited circumstances it is possible to
| compile, prepare, and run OO applications by using standard batch JCL or TSO/E
| commands. To do so, you must follow the guidelines discussed in the related tasks.

| For example, you might follow this approach for applications that consist of a
| COBOL main program and subprograms that:
| v Access objects that are all implemented in Java
| v Access enterprise beans that run in a WebSphere server

RELATED TASKS
“Compiling OO applications using JCL or TSO/E”
“Preparing and running OO applications using JCL or TSO/E” on page 282
“Compiling, linking, and running OO applications under UNIX” on page 277

Compiling OO applications using JCL or TSO/E

| If you use batch JCL or TSO/E to compile an OO COBOL program or class
| definition, the generated object file is written, as usual, to the data set that you
identify with the SYSLIN or SYSPUNCH ddname. You must use the compiler options
RENT, DLL, THREAD, and DBCS. (RENT and DBCS are defaults.)

| If the COBOL program or class definition uses the JNI environment structure to
| access JNI callable services, copy the file JNI.cpy from the HFS to a PDS or PDSE
| member called JNI, identify that library with a SYSLIB DD statement, and use a
| COPY statement of the form COPY JNI in the COBOL source program.

| A COBOL source file that contains a class definition must not contain any other
| class or program definitions.

| When you compile a COBOL class definition, a Java source program that contains
| a class definition that corresponds to the COBOL class definition is generated in
| addition to the object file. Use the SYSJAVA ddname to write the generated Java
| source file to a file in the HFS. For example:

Chapter 17. Compiling, linking, and running OO applications 281

 //SYSJAVA DD PATH=’/u/userid/java/Classname.java’,
// PATHOPTS=(OWRONLY,OCREAT,OTRUNC),
// PATHMODE=SIRWXU,
// FILEDATA=TEXT

Do not edit this generated Java class definition in any way. If you change the
| COBOL class definition, you must regenerate both the object file and the Java class
| definition by recompiling the updated COBOL class definition.

| Compile Java class definitions by using the javac command from a UNIX shell
| command prompt, or by using the BPXBATCH utility.

“Example: compiling, linking, and running an OO application using JCL” on

page 283

RELATED TASKS
“Compiling with JCL” on page 237
“Compiling under TSO” on page 249
“Specifying source libraries (SYSLIB)” on page 255
“Defining the output Java data set (SYSJAVA)” on page 257
“Accessing JNI services” on page 501
“Compiling OO applications under UNIX” on page 277
“Preparing OO applications under UNIX” on page 278

RELATED REFERENCES
“DBCS” on page 298
“DLL” on page 299
“RENT” on page 316
“THREAD” on page 325
Appendix F, “JNI.cpy” on page 625
The BPXBATCH utility (UNIX System Services User’s Guide)

Preparing and running OO applications using JCL or TSO/E

| It is recommended that you run OO applications in a z/OS UNIX environment. To
| run OO applications from batch JCL or TSO/E, you should therefore use the
| BPXBATCH utility.

| In limited circumstances, however, you can run an OO application by using

| standard batch JCL (EXEC PGM=COBPROG) or the TSO/E CALL command. To do so,
| follow these requirements when preparing the application:
| v Structure the application to start with a COBOL program, and link the load
| module for the COBOL program into a PDSE. (If an application starts with a
| Java program or with the main factory method of a COBOL class, you must run
| the application under UNIX, and the application components must reside in the
| HFS.)
| v Ensure that the class files and DLLs associated with the COBOL or Java classes
| that are used by the application reside in the HFS. You must name the class files
| and DLLs as described in the related task on preparing OO applications under
| UNIX.
| v Specify INCLUDE control statements for the DLL side files libjvm.x and igzcjava.x
| when you bind the object deck for the main program. For example:
| INCLUDE ’/usr/lpp/java/IBM/J1.3/bin/classic/libjvm.x’
| INCLUDE ’/usr/lpp/cobol/lib/igzcjava.x’

282 Programming Guide

| v Create a file that contains the environment variable settings that are required for
| Java. For example, a file /u/userid/javaenv might contain these three lines to set
| the PATH, LIBPATH, and CLASSPATH environment variables (the LIBPATH
| setting is shown here on two lines):
| PATH=/bin:/usr/lpp/java/IBM/J1.3/bin
| LIBPATH=/lib:/usr/lib:/usr/lpp/java/IBM/J1.3/bin:
| /usr/lpp/java/IBM/J1.3/bin/classic:/u/userid/applications
| CLASSPATH=/u/userid/applications

| To customize the initialization of the JVM that will be used by the application,
| you can set the COBJVMINITOPTIONS environment variable in the same file.
| For example, to access enterprise beans that run in a WebSphere server, you
| must set the Java system property java.naming.factory.initial. For details, see the
| related task on running OO applications under UNIX.

| When you run an OO application that starts with a COBOL program by using
| standard batch JCL or the TSO/E CALL command, follow these guidelines:
| v Use the _CEE_ENVFILE environment variable to indicate the location of the file
| that contains the environment variable settings required by Java. Set
| _CEE_ENVFILE by using the ENVAR run-time option.
| v Specify the POSIX(ON) run-time option.
| v Use DD statements to specify files in the HFS for the standard input, output, and
| error streams for Java:
| – JAVAIN DD for the input from statements such as c=System.in.read();
| – JAVAOUT DD for the output from statements such as
| System.out.println(string);
| – JAVAERR DD for the output from statements such as
| System.err.println(string);
| v Ensure that the SCEERUN2 and SCEERUN load libraries are available in the
| system library search order, for example, by using a STEPLIB DD statement.

“Example: compiling, linking, and running an OO application using JCL”

RELATED TASKS
“Preparing OO applications under UNIX” on page 278
“Running OO applications under UNIX” on page 279
“Structuring OO applications” on page 498
The BPXBATCH utility (UNIX System Services User’s Guide)
Program library definition and search order (Language Environment Programming
Guide)

RELATED REFERENCES
_CEE_ENVFILE (C/C++ Programming Guide)
ENVAR (Language Environment Programming Reference)

Example: compiling, linking, and running an OO application

using JCL
| This example shows:
| v The JCL to compile, link, and run an OO COBOL program, TSTHELLO
| v A Java class definition, HelloJ, that contains a method invoked by the COBOL
| program
| v An HFS file, ENV, that contains the environment variable settings required by
| Java

Chapter 17. Compiling, linking, and running OO applications 283

 JCL for program TSTHELLO
| //TSTHELLO JOB ,
| // TIME=(1),MSGLEVEL=(1,1),MSGCLASS=H,CLASS=A,REGION=100M,
| // NOTIFY=&SYSUID,USER=&SYSUID
| //*
| // SET COBPRFX=’IGY.V3R2M0’
| // SET LIBPRFX=’CEE’
| //*
| //COMPILE EXEC PGM=IGYCRCTL,
| // PARM=’SIZE(5000K)’
| //SYSLIN DD DSNAME=&&OBJECT(TSTHELLO),UNIT=VIO,DISP=(NEW,PASS),
| // SPACE=(CYL,(1,1,1))
| //SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
| //STEPLIB DD DSN=&COBPRFX..SIGYCOMP,DISP=SHR
| // DD DSN=&LIBPRFX..SCEERUN,DISP=SHR
| //SYSUT1 DD UNIT=VIO,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
| //SYSUT2 DD UNIT=VIO,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
| //SYSUT3 DD UNIT=VIO,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
| //SYSUT4 DD UNIT=VIO,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
| //SYSUT5 DD UNIT=VIO,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
| //SYSUT6 DD UNIT=VIO,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
| //SYSUT7 DD UNIT=VIO,SPACE=(CYL,(1,1))
| //SYSIN DD *
| cbl dll,thread
| Identification division.
| Program-id. “TSTHELLO” recursive.
| Environment division.
| Configuration section.
| Repository.
| Class HelloJ is “HelloJ”.
| Data Division.
| Procedure division.
| Display “COBOL program TSTHELLO entered”
| Invoke HelloJ “sayHello”
| Display “Returned from java sayHello to TSTHELLO”
| Goback.
| End program “TSTHELLO”.
| /*
| //LKED EXEC PGM=IEWL,PARM=’RENT,LIST,LET,DYNAM(DLL),CASE(MIXED)’
| //SYSLIB DD DSN=&LIBPRFX..SCEELKED,DISP=SHR
| // DD DSN=&LIBPRFX..SCEELKEX,DISP=SHR
| //SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
| //SYSTERM DD SYSOUT=*
| //SYSLMOD DD DSN=&&GOSET(TSTHELLO),DISP=(MOD,PASS),UNIT=VIO,
| // SPACE=(CYL,(1,1,1)),DSNTYPE=LIBRARY
| //SYSDEFSD DD DUMMY
| //OBJMOD DD DSN=&&OBJECT,DISP=(OLD,DELETE)
| //SYSLIN DD *
| INCLUDE OBJMOD(TSTHELLO)
| INCLUDE ’/usr/lpp/java/IBM/J1.3/bin/classic/libjvm.x’
| INCLUDE ’/usr/lpp/cobol/lib/igzcjava.x’
| /*
| //GO EXEC PGM=TSTHELLO,COND=(4,LT,LKED),
| // PARM=’/ENVAR(“_CEE_ENVFILE=/u/userid/ootest/tsthello/ENV”)
| // POSIX(ON)’
| //STEPLIB DD DSN=*.LKED.SYSLMOD,DISP=SHR
| // DD DSN=&LIBPRFX..SCEERUN2,DISP=SHR
| // DD DSN=&LIBPRFX..SCEERUN,DISP=SHR
| //SYSOUT DD SYSOUT=*
| //CEEDUMP DD SYSOUT=*
| //SYSUDUMP DD DUMMY
| //JAVAOUT DD PATH=’/u/userid/ootest/tsthello/javaout’,
| // PATHOPTS=(OWRONLY,OCREAT,OTRUNC),
| // PATHMODE=(SIRUSR,SIWUSR,SIRGRP)

284 Programming Guide

 Definition of class HelloJ
| class HelloJ {
| public static void sayHello() {
| System.out.println(“Hello World, from Java!”);
| }
| }

| HelloJ.java is compiled with the javac command. The resulting .class file resides in
| the HFS directory u/userid/ootest/tsthello, which is specified in the CLASSPATH
| environment variable in the environment variable settings file.

Environment variable settings file, ENV

| PATH=/bin:/usr/lpp/java/IBM/J1.3/bin:.
| LIBPATH=/lib:/usr/lib:/usr/lpp/java/IBM/J1.3/bin:
| /usr/lpp/java/IBM/J1.3/bin/classic:/u/userid/ootest/tsthello
| CLASSPATH=/u/userid/ootest/tsthello

| (The LIBPATH setting is shown above on two lines.)

| The environment variable settings file also resides in directory

| u/userid/ootest/tsthello, as specified in the _CEE_ENVFILE environment variable
| in the JCL.

Chapter 17. Compiling, linking, and running OO applications 285

286 Programming Guide
Chapter 18. Compiler options
You can direct and control your compilation in two ways:
v By using compiler options
v By using compiler-directing statements (compile directives)

Compiler options affect the aspects of your program that are listed in the table
below. The linked-to information for each option provides the syntax for specifying
the option and describes the option, its parameters, and its interaction with other
parameters.

Aspect of your
program Compiler option Default Abbreviations
Source language “ARITH” on page 291 ARITH(COMPAT) AR(C), AR(E)
“QUOTE/APOST” on page 316 QUOTE Q|APOST
“CICS” on page 293 NOCICS None
“CURRENCY” on page 295 NOCURRENCY CURR|NOCURR
“CODEPAGE” on page 294 CODEPAGE(01140) CP(ccsid)
“DBCS” on page 298 DBCS None
“LIB” on page 306 LIB None
“NSYMBOL” on page 309 NSYMBOL(NATIONAL) NS(DBCS|NAT)
“NUMBER” on page 309 NONUMBER NUM|NONUM
“SEQUENCE” on page 318 SEQUENCE SEQ|NOSEQ
“SQL” on page 320 NOSQL None
“WORD” on page 329 NOWORD WD|NOWD
Date processing “DATEPROC” on page 297 NODATEPROC, or DP|NODP
DATEPROC(FLAG,NOTRIG) if only
DATEPROC is specified
“INTDATE” on page 304 INTDATE(ANSI) None
“YEARWINDOW” on page 331 YEARWINDOW(1900) YW
Maps and listings “LANGUAGE” on page 305 LANGUAGE(ENGLISH) LANG(EN|UE|JA|JP)
“LINECOUNT” on page 306 LINECOUNT(60) LC
“LIST” on page 306 NOLIST None
“MAP” on page 307 NOMAP None
“OFFSET” on page 312 NOOFFSET OFF|NOOFF
“SOURCE” on page 319 SOURCE S|NOS
“SPACE” on page 319 SPACE(1) None
“TERMINAL” on page 321 NOTERMINAL TERM|NOTERM
“VBREF” on page 329 NOVBREF None
“XREF” on page 330 XREF X|NOX

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 287

Aspect of your
program Compiler option Default Abbreviations
Object deck “COMPILE” on page 294 NOCOMPILE(S) C|NOC
generation
“DECK” on page 298 NODECK D|NOD
“NAME” on page 308 NONAME, or NAME(NOALIAS) if only None
NAME is specified
“OBJECT” on page 311 OBJECT OBJ|NOOBJ
“PGMNAME” on page 314 PGMNAME(COMPAT) PGMN(CO|LU|LM)
Object code control “ADV” on page 291 ADV None
“AWO” on page 292 NOAWO None
“DLL” on page 299 NODLL None
“EXPORTALL” on page 301 NOEXPORTALL EXP|NOEXP
“FASTSRT” on page 302 NOFASTSRT FSRT|NOFSRT
“NUMPROC” on page 310 NUMPROC(NOPFD) None
“OPTIMIZE” on page 312 NOOPTIMIZE OPT|NOOPT
“OUTDD” on page 313 OUTDD(SYSOUT) OUT
“TRUNC” on page 326 TRUNC(STD) None
“ZWB” on page 331 ZWB None
Virtual storage usage “BUFSIZE” on page 292 4096 BUF
“SIZE” on page 318 SIZE(MAX) SZ
“DATA” on page 296 DATA(31) None
“DYNAM” on page 301 NODYNAM DYN|NODYN
“RENT” on page 316 RENT None
“RMODE” on page 317 AUTO None
Debugging and “DIAGTRUNC” on page 298 NODIAGTRUNC DTR, NODTR
diagnostics
“DUMP” on page 300 NODUMP DU|NODU
“FLAG” on page 302 FLAG(I,I) F|NOF
“FLAGSTD” on page 303 NOFLAGSTD None
“TEST” on page 322 NOTEST None
“SSRANGE” on page 321 NOSSRANGE SSR|NOSSR
Other “ADATA” on page 290 NOADATA None
“EXIT” on page 301 NOEXIT EX(INX,LIBX,PRTX,ADX)
“THREAD” on page 325 NOTHREAD None

Installation defaults: The default options that were set up when your compiler
was installed are in effect for your program unless you override them with other
options. (In some installations, certain compiler options are set up as fixed so that
you cannot override them. If you have problems, see your system administrator.)
To find out the default compiler options in effect, run a test compilation without
specifying any options. The output listing lists the default options specified by
your installation.

Nonoverridable options: In some installations, certain compiler options are set up

so that you cannot override them. If you have problems, see your system
administrator.

288 Programming Guide

 Performance considerations: The DYNAM, FASTSRT, NUMPROC, OPTIMIZE, RENT, SSRANGE,
TEST, and TRUNC compiler options can all affect run-time performance.

RELATED REFERENCES
“Conflicting compiler options”
“Compiler-directing statements” on page 332
“Option settings for COBOL 85 Standard conformance”

RELATED TASKS
Chapter 15, “Compiling under z/OS” on page 237
“Compiling under TSO” on page 249
Chapter 16, “Compiling under UNIX” on page 269
Chapter 32, “Tuning your program” on page 553

Option settings for COBOL 85 Standard conformance

The following compiler options are required to conform to the COBOL 85 Standard
specification:

ADV NAME(ALIAS) or NAME(NOALIAS)

NOCICS NUMPROC(NOPFD) or NUMPROC(MIG)
NODATEPROC PGMNAME(COMPAT) or PGMNAME(LONGUPPER)
NODLL QUOTE
DYNAM NOTHREAD
NOEXPORTALL TRUNC(STD)
NOFASTSRT NOWORD
LIB ZWB

The following run-time options are required to conform to the COBOL 85

Standard:
v AIXBLD
v CBLQDA(ON)
v TRAP(ON)

RELATED REFERENCES
Language Environment Programming Reference

Conflicting compiler options

The Enterprise COBOL compiler can encounter conflicting compiler options in two
ways:
v Both the positive and negative form of a compiler option are specified on the
same level in the hierarchy of precedence (such as specifying both DECK and
NODECK in a PROCESS (or CBL) statement).
When conflicting options are specified at the same level in the hierarchy, the
option specified last takes effect.
v Mutually exclusive options are specified at the same level in the hierarchy,
regardless of order.
When you specify mutually exclusive options, any conflicting options that you
specify are ignored. For example, if you specify both OFFSET and LIST in your
PROCESS statement in any order, OFFSET takes effect and LIST is ignored.
However, options coded at a higher level of precedence override any options
specified at a lower level of precedence. For example, if you code OFFSET in your

Chapter 18. Compiler options 289

 JCL statement but LIST in your PROCESS statement, LIST will take effect because
the options coded in the PROCESS statement and any options forced on by an
option coded in the PROCESS statement have higher precedence.

The following table lists mutually exclusive compiler options.

Specified Ignored1 Forced on1

CICS NOLIB LIB
DYNAM NODYNAM
NORENT RENT
DLL DYNAM NODYNAM
NORENT RENT
EXIT DUMP NODUMP
EXPORTALL NODLL DLL
DYNAM NODYNAM
NORENT RENT
NSYMBOL(NATIONAL) NODBCS DBCS
OFFSET LIST NOLIST
SQL NOLIB LIB
TEST NOOBJECT OBJECT
TEST(ALL) OPT(STD) or OPT(FULL) NOOPTIMIZE
TEST(STMT)
TEST(PATH)
TEST(BLOCK)
THREAD NORENT RENT
WORD FLAGSTD NOFLAGSTD

1. Unless in conflict with a fixed installation default option.

RELATED TASKS
“Specifying compiler options under z/OS” on page 258
“Specifying compiler options in a batch compilation” on page 262
“Specifying compiler options under UNIX” on page 270

ADATA

Default is: NOADATA

Abbreviations are: None

Use ADATA when you want the compiler to create a SYSADATA file, which contains
records of additional compilation information. It is required for remote compile
using IBM VisualAge COBOL. On z/OS, this file is written to ddname SYSADATA.
The size of this file generally grows with the size of the associated program.

You cannot specify ADATA in a PROCESS (CBL) statement; it can be specified only in
one of the following ways:
v On invocation of the compiler using an option list

290 Programming Guide

 v On the PARM field of JCL
v As a command option
v As an installation default

RELATED REFERENCES
Appendix G, “COBOL SYSADATA file contents” on page 631

ADV

Default is: ADV

Abbreviations are: None

ADV has meaning only if you use WRITE . . . ADVANCING in your source code.

With ADV in effect, the compiler adds 1 byte to the record length to account for the
printer control character.

Use NOADV if you have already adjusted your record length to include 1 byte for the
printer control character.

ARITH

Default is: ARITH(COMPAT)

Abbreviations are: AR(C), AR(E)

When you specify ARITH(EXTEND):

v The maximum number of digit positions that you can specify in the PICTURE
clause for packed-decimal, zoned-decimal, and numeric-edited data items is
raised from 18 to 31.
v The maximum number of digits that you can specify in a fixed-point numeric
literal is raised from 18 to 31. You can use numeric literals with large precision
anywhere that numeric literals are currently allowed, including:
– Operands of PROCEDURE DIVISION statements
– VALUE clauses (on numeric data items with large precision PICTURE)
– Condition-name values (on numeric data items with large precision PICTURE)
v The maximum number of digits that you can specify in the arguments to NUMVAL
and NUMVAL-C is raised from 18 to 31.
v The maximum value of the integer argument to the FACTORIAL function is 29.
v Intermediate results in arithmetic statements use extended mode.

When you specify ARITH(COMPAT):

Chapter 18. Compiler options 291

 v The maximum number of digit positions in the PICTURE clause for
packed-decimal, zoned-decimal, and numeric-edited data items is 18.
v The maximum number of digits in a fixed-point numeric literal is 18.
v The maximum number of digits in the arguments to NUMVAL and NUMVAL-C is 18.
v The maximum value of the integer argument to the FACTORIAL function is 28.
v Intermediate results in arithmetic statements use compatibility mode.

RELATED CONCEPTS
Appendix A, “Intermediate results and arithmetic precision” on page 577

AWO

Default is: NOAWO

Abbreviations are: None

With AWO specified, an implicit APPLY WRITE-ONLY clause is activated for all files in
the program that are eligible for this clause. To be eligible, a file must have
physical sequential organization and blocked variable-length records.

RELATED TASKS
“Optimizing buffer and device space” on page 12

BUFSIZE

Default is: 4096

Abbreviations are: BUF

nnnnn specifies a decimal number that must be at least 256.

nnnK specifies a decimal number in 1-KB increments, where 1 KB = 1024 bytes.

Use BUFSIZE to allocate an amount of main storage to the buffer for each compiler
work data set. Usually, a large buffer size improves the performance of the
compiler.

If you use both BUFSIZE and SIZE, the amount allocated to buffers is included in
the amount of main storage available for compilation via the SIZE option.

BUFSIZE cannot exceed the track capacity for the device used, nor can it exceed the
maximum allowed by data management services.

292 Programming Guide

CICS

Default is: NOCICS

Abbreviations are: None

The CICS compiler option enables the integrated CICS translator capability and
allows specification of CICS options. You must specify the CICS option if your
COBOL source program contains EXEC CICS or EXEC DLI statements, and it has not
been processed by the separate CICS translator.

Use the CICS option to compile CICS programs only. Programs compiled with the
CICS option will not run in a non-CICS environment.

Note that the compiler needs access to CICS Transaction Server Version 2 or later.

If you specify the NOCICS option, any CICS statements found in the source program
are diagnosed and discarded.

Use either quotes or apostrophes to delimit the string of CICS suboptions.

You can partition a long suboption string into multiple suboption strings on
multiple CBL statements. The CICS suboptions are concatenated in the order of
their appearance. For example:
//STEP1 EXEC IGYWC, . . .
// PARM.COBOL=’CICS(“string1”)’
//COBOL.SYSIN DD *
CBL CICS(’string2’)
CBL CICS(“string3”)
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
PROGRAM-ID. DRIVER1.
. . .

The compiler passes the following suboption string to the integrated CICS
translator:
“string1 string2 string3”

The concatenated strings are delimited with single spaces as shown. If multiple
instances of the same CICS option are found, the last specification of each option
prevails. The compiler limits the length of the concatenated CICS suboptions string
to 4 KB.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Integrated CICS translator” on page 380

RELATED TASKS
“Compiling with the CICS option” on page 378

RELATED REFERENCES
“Conflicting compiler options” on page 289

Chapter 18. Compiler options 293

 CODEPAGE

Default is: CODEPAGE(1140)

Abbreviations are: CP(ccsid)

The CODEPAGE option specifies the code page used for encoding:
v The contents of alphanumeric and DBCS data items at run time
v Alphanumeric, national, and DBCS literals in the COBOL source program

The CODEPAGE option also specifies the default code page for parsing alphanumeric
XML documents.

ccsid must be an integer representing a valid coded character set identifier (CCSID)
| number for an EBCDIC code page.

The default CCSID 1140 is an equivalent of CCSID 37 (EBCDIC Latin-1, USA) but
includes the Euro symbol.

Important: The conversion image that was configured as part of the Unicode
Conversion Services installation must include support for conversions of the
specified CCSID to and from CCSID 1200. For applications that use object-oriented
syntax, conversions from the specified CCSID to CCSID 1208 must also be
included.

RELATED TASKS
Customizing Unicode support for COBOL (Enterprise COBOL Customization Guide)

COMPILE

Default is: NOCOMPILE(S)

Abbreviations are: C|NOC

Use the COMPILE option only if you want to force full compilation even in the
presence of serious errors. All diagnostics and object code will be generated. Do
not try to run the object code if the compilation resulted in serious errors: the
results could be unpredictable or an abnormal termination could occur.

Use NOCOMPILE without any suboption to request a syntax check (only diagnostics
produced, no object code).

294 Programming Guide

 Use NOCOMPILE with W, E, or S for conditional full compilation. Full compilation
(diagnosis and object code) will stop when the compiler finds an error of the level
you specify (or higher), and only syntax checking will continue.

If you request an unconditional NOCOMPILE, the following options have no effect

because no object code will be produced:
v LIST
v SSRANGE
v OPTIMIZE
v OBJECT
v TEST

RELATED REFERENCES
“Messages and listings for compiler-detected errors” on page 266

CURRENCY

Default is: NOCURRENCY

The default currency symbol is the dollar sign ($). You can use the CURRENCY option
to provide an alternate default currency symbol to be used for the COBOL
program.

NOCURRENCY specifies that no alternate default currency symbol will be used.

To change the default currency symbol, use the CURRENCY(literal) option where
literal is a valid COBOL alphanumeric literal (including a hex literal) representing a
single character that must not be any of the following:
v Digits zero (0) through nine (9)
v Uppercase alphabetic characters A B C D E G N P R S V X Z, or their lowercase
equivalents
v The space
v Special characters * + - / , . ; ( ) “ = ’
v A figurative constant
v A null-terminated literal
v A DBCS literal
v A national literal

If your program processes only one currency type, you can use the CURRENCY
option as an alternative to the CURRENCY SIGN clause for selecting the currency
symbol you will use in the PICTURE clause of your program. If your program
processes more than one currency type, you should use the CURRENCY SIGN clause
with the WITH PICTURE SYMBOL phrase to specify the different currency sign types.

If you use both the CURRENCY option and the CURRENCY SIGN clause in a program,
the CURRENCY option is ignored. Currency symbols specified in the CURRENCY SIGN
clause or clauses can be used in PICTURE clauses.

Chapter 18. Compiler options 295

 When the NOCURRENCY option is in effect and you omit the CURRENCY SIGN clause,
the dollar sign ($) is used as the PICTURE symbol for the currency sign.

Delimiter note: You can delimit the CURRENCY option literal by either the quote or
the apostrophe, regardless of the QUOTE|APOST compiler option setting.

DATA

Default is: DATA(31)

Abbreviations are: None

Affects the location of storage for dynamic data areas and other dynamic run-time
storage: either above (DATA(31)) or below (DATA(24)) the 16-MB line. For reentrant
programs, the DATA(24|31) compiler option and the HEAP run-time option control
whether storage for dynamic data areas (such as WORKING-STORAGE and FD record
areas) is obtained from below the 16-MB line or from unrestricted storage. (The
DATA option does not affect the location of LOCAL-STORAGE data; the STACK run-time
option controls that location instead, along with the AMODE of the program. It does
affect the location of local WORKING-STORAGE data.)

When you specify the run-time option HEAP(,,BELOW), the DATA(24|31) compiler
option has no effect; the storage for all dynamic data areas is allocated from below
the 16-MB line. However, with HEAP(,,ANYWHERE) as the run-time option, storage
for dynamic data areas is allocated from below the line if you compiled the
program with the DATA(24) compiler option or from unrestricted storage if you
compiled with the DATA(31) compiler option.

Specify the DATA(24) compiler option for programs running in 31-bit addressing
mode that are passing data arguments to programs in 24-bit addressing mode. This
ensures that the data will be addressable by the called program.

External data and QSAM buffers: The DATA option interacts with other compiler
options and run-time options that affect storage and its addressability. See the
related information for details.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Storage and its addressability” on page 33

RELATED TASKS
Using run-time options (Language Environment Programming Guide)

RELATED REFERENCES
“Allocation of buffers for QSAM files” on page 140

296 Programming Guide

DATEPROC

Default is: NODATEPROC, or DATEPROC(FLAG,NOTRIG) if only DATEPROC is specified

Abbreviations are: DP|NODP

Use the DATEPROC option to enable the millennium language extensions of the
COBOL compiler.
DATEPROC(FLAG)
With DATEPROC(FLAG), the millennium language extensions are enabled, and
the compiler produces a diagnostic message wherever a language element
uses or is affected by the extensions. The message is usually an
information-level or warning-level message that identifies statements that
involve date-sensitive processing. Additional messages that identify errors
or possible inconsistencies in the date constructs might be generated.
Production of diagnostic messages, and their appearance in or after the
source listing, is subject to the setting of the FLAG compiler option.
DATEPROC(NOFLAG)
With DATEPROC(NOFLAG), the millennium language extensions are in effect,
but the compiler does not produce any related messages unless there are
errors or inconsistencies in the COBOL source.
DATEPROC(TRIG)
With DATEPROC(TRIG), the millennium language extensions are enabled, and
the automatic windowing that the compiler applies to operations on
windowed date fields is sensitive to specific trigger or limit values in the
date fields and in other nondate fields that are stored into or compared
with the windowed date fields. These special values represent invalid dates
that can be tested for or used as upper or lower limits.
Performance: The DATEPROC(TRIG) option results in slower-performing code
for windowed date comparisons.
DATEPROC(NOTRIG)
With DATEPROC(NOTRIG), the millennium language extensions are enabled,
and the automatic windowing that the compiler applies to operations on
windowed dates does not recognize any special trigger values in the
operands. Only the value of the year part of dates is relevant to automatic
windowing.
Performance: The DATEPROC(NOTRIG) option is a performance option that
assumes valid date values in windowed date fields.
NODATEPROC
NODATEPROC indicates that the extensions are not enabled for this
compilation unit. This affects date-related program constructs as follows:
v The DATE FORMAT clause is syntax-checked, but has no effect on the
execution of the program.

Chapter 18. Compiler options 297

 v The DATEVAL and UNDATE intrinsic functions have no effect. That is, the
value returned by the intrinsic function is exactly the same as the value
of the argument.
v The YEARWINDOW intrinsic function returns a value of zero.

Usage note: You can specify the FLAG|NOFLAG and TRIG|NOTRIG suboptions in any
order. If you omit either suboption, it defaults to the current setting.

RELATED REFERENCES
“FLAG” on page 302

DBCS

Default is: DBCS

Abbreviations are: None

Using DBCS causes the compiler to recognize X’0E’ (SO) and X’0F’ (SI) as shift codes
for the double-byte portion of an alphanumeric literal.

With DBCS selected, the double-byte portion of the literal is syntax-checked and the
literal remains category alphanumeric.

RELATED REFERENCES
“Conflicting compiler options” on page 289

DECK

Default is: NODECK

Abbreviations are: D|NOD

Use DECK to produce object code in the form of 80-column card images. If you use
the DECK option, be certain that SYSPUNCH is defined in your JCL for compilation.

DIAGTRUNC

Default is: NODIAGTRUNC

Abbreviations are: DTR, NODTR

298 Programming Guide

 DIAGTRUNC causes the compiler to issue a severity-4 (Warning) diagnostic message
for MOVE statements with numeric receivers when the receiving data item has fewer
integer positions than the sending data item or literal. In statements with multiple
receivers, the message is issued separately for each receiver that could be
truncated.

The diagnostic message is also issued for implicit moves associated with
statements such as these:
v INITIALIZE
v READ . . . INTO
v RELEASE . . . FROM
v RETURN . . . INTO
v REWRITE . . . FROM
v WRITE . . . FROM

The diagnostic is also issued for moves to numeric receivers from alphanumeric
data-names or literal senders, except when the sending field is reference-modified.

There is no diagnostic for COMP-5 receivers, nor for binary receivers when you
specify the TRUNC(BIN) option.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Formats for numeric data” on page 40
“Reference modifiers” on page 93

RELATED REFERENCES
“TRUNC” on page 326

DLL

Default is: NODLL

Abbreviations are: None

Use DLL to instruct the compiler to generate an object module that is enabled for
dynamic link library (DLL) support. DLL enablement is required if the program
will be part of a DLL, will reference DLLs, or if the program contains
object-oriented COBOL syntax such as INVOKE statements or class definitions.

Specification of the DLL option requires that the RENT linkage-editor or binder
option also be used.

NODLL instructs the compiler to generate an object module that is not enabled for
DLL usage.

RELATED REFERENCES
“Conflicting compiler options” on page 289

Chapter 18. Compiler options 299

DUMP

Default is: NODUMP

Abbreviations are: DU|NODU

Not for general use: The DUMP option should be used only at the request of an IBM
representative.

Use DUMP to produce a system dump at compile time for an internal compiler error.

The dump, which consists of a listing of the compiler’s registers and a storage
dump, is intended primarily for diagnostic personnel for determining errors in the
compiler.

If you use the DUMP option, include a DD statement at compile time to define
SYSABEND, SYSUDUMP, or SYSMDUMP.

With DUMP, the compiler will not issue a diagnostic message before abnormal
termination processing. Instead, a user abend will be issued with an IGYppnnnn
message. In general, a message IGYppnnnn corresponds to a compile-time user
abend nnnn. However, both IGYpp5nnn and IGYpp1nnn messages produce a user
abend of 1nnn. You can usually distinguish whether the message is really a 5nnn or
a 1nnn by recompiling with the NODUMP option.

Use NODUMP if you want normal termination processing, including:

v Diagnostic messages produced so far in compilation.
v A description of the error.
v The name of the compiler phase currently executing.
v The line number of the COBOL statement being processed when the error was
found. (If you compiled with OPTIMIZE, the line number might not always be
correct; for some errors, it will be the last line in the program.)
v The contents of the general purpose registers.

Using the DUMP and OPTIMIZE compiler options together could cause the compiler to
produce a system dump instead of the following optimizer message:
“IGYOP3124-W This statement may cause a program exception at
execution time.”

This situation is not a compiler error. Using the NODUMP option will allow the
compiler to issue message IGYOP3124-W and continue processing.

RELATED TASKS
Understanding abend codes (Language Environment Debugging Guide)

RELATED REFERENCES
“Conflicting compiler options” on page 289

300 Programming Guide

DYNAM

Default is: NODYNAM

Abbreviations are: DYN|NODYN

Use DYNAM to cause nonnested, separately compiled programs invoked through the
CALL literal statement to be loaded (for CALL) and deleted (for CANCEL) dynamically
at run time. CALL identifier statements always result in a run-time load of the target
program and are not impacted by this option. The DYNAM compiler option must not
be used by programs that are translated by the CICS translator.

If your COBOL program calls programs that have been linked as dynamic link
libraries (DLLs), then you must not use the DYNAM option. You must instead
compile the program with the NODYNAM and DLL options.

RELATED REFERENCES
“Making both static and dynamic calls” on page 414
“Conflicting compiler options” on page 289

EXIT
For information about the EXIT compiler option, see the first reference below.

RELATED REFERENCES
Appendix E, “EXIT compiler option” on page 611
“Conflicting compiler options” on page 289

EXPORTALL

Default is: NOEXPORTALL

Abbreviations are: EXP|NOEXP

Use EXPORTALL to instruct the compiler to automatically export the PROGRAM-ID

name and each alternate entry-point name from each program definition when the
object deck is link-edited to form a DLL.

With these symbols exported from the DLL, the exported program and entry-point
names can be called from programs in the root load module or in other DLL load
modules in the application, as well as from programs that are linked into the same
DLL.

Specification of the EXPORTALL option requires that the RENT linker option also be
used.

Chapter 18. Compiler options 301

 NOEXPORTALL instructs the compiler to not export any symbols. In this case the
programs are accessible only from other routines that are link-edited into the same
load module together with this COBOL program definition.

RELATED REFERENCES
“Conflicting compiler options” on page 289

FASTSRT

Default is: NOFASTSRT

Abbreviations are: FSRT|NOFSRT

FASTSRT allows IBM DFSORT, or its equivalent, to perform the input and output
instead of COBOL.

RELATED TASKS
“Improving sort performance with FASTSRT” on page 191

FLAG

Default is: FLAG(I,I)

Abbreviations are: F|NOF

x and y can be either I, W, E, S, or U.

Use FLAG(x) to produce diagnostic messages for errors of a severity level x or

above at the end of the source listing.

Use FLAG(x,y) to produce diagnostic messages for errors of severity level x or

above at the end of the source listing, with error messages of severity y and above
to be embedded directly in the source listing. The severity coded for y must not be
lower than the severity coded for x. To use FLAG(x,y), you must also specify the
SOURCE compiler option.

Error messages in the source listing are set off by embedding the statement
number in an arrow that points to the message code. The message code is then
followed by the message text. For example:

000413 MOVE CORR WS-DATE TO HEADER-DATE

==000413==> IGYPS2121-S “ WS-DATE ” was not defined as a data-name. . . .

302 Programming Guide

 With FLAG(x,y) selected, messages of severity y and above will be embedded in
the listing following the line that caused the message. (Refer to the related
information about messages for exceptions.)

Use NOFLAG to suppress error flagging. NOFLAG will not suppress error messages for
compiler options.

Embedded messages:
v Specifying embedded level-U messages is accepted, but will not produce any
messages in the source. Embedding a level-U message is not recommended.
v The FLAG option does not affect diagnostic messages produced before the
compiler options are processed.
v Diagnostic messages produced during processing of compiler options, CBL and
PROCESS statements, or BASIS, COPY, and REPLACE statements are never embedded
in the source listing. All such messages appear at the beginning of the compiler
output.
v Messages produced during processing of the *CONTROL (*CBL) statement are not
embedded in the source listing.

RELATED REFERENCES
“Messages and listings for compiler-detected errors” on page 266

FLAGSTD

Default is: NOFLAGSTD

x specifies the level or subset of the COBOL 85 Standard to be regarded as

conforming:
M Language elements that are not from the minimum subset are to be flagged
as “nonconforming standard.”
I Language elements that are not from the minimum or the intermediate
subset are to be flagged as “nonconforming standard.”
H The high subset is being used and elements will not be flagged by subset.
And, elements in the IBM extension category will be flagged as
“nonconforming Standard, IBM extension.”

yy specifies, by a single character or combination of any two, the optional modules

to be included in the subset:
D Elements from debug module level 1 are not flagged as “nonconforming
standard.”
N Elements from segmentation module level 1 are not flagged as
“nonconforming standard.”
S Elements from segmentation module level 2 are not flagged as
“nonconforming standard.”

If S is specified, N is included (N is a subset of S).

Chapter 18. Compiler options 303

 O specifies that obsolete language elements are flagged as “obsolete.”

Use FLAGSTD to get informational messages about the COBOL 85 Standard elements
included in your program. You can specify any of the following items for flagging:
v A selected Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) COBOL subset
v Any of the optional modules
v Obsolete language elements
v Any combination of subset and optional modules
v Any combination of subset and obsolete elements
v IBM extensions (these are flagged any time FLAGSTD is specified, and identified
as “nonconforming nonstandard”)

The informational messages appear in the source program listing, and identify:
v The element as “obsolete,” “nonconforming standard,” or “nonconforming
nonstandard” (a language element that is both obsolete and nonconforming is
flagged as obsolete only)
v The clause, statement, or header that contains the element
v The source program line and beginning location of the clause, statement, or
header that contains the element
v The subset or optional module to which the element belongs

FLAGSTD requires the standard set of reserved words.

In the following example, the line number and column where a flagged clause,
statement, or header occurred are shown, as well as the message code and text. At
the bottom is a summary of the total of the flagged items and their type.

LINE.COL CODE FIPS MESSAGE TEXT

IGYDS8211 Comment lines before “IDENTIFICATION DIVISION”:

nonconforming nonstandard, IBM extension to
ANS/ISO 1985.

11.14 IGYDS8111 “GLOBAL clause”: nonconforming standard, ANS/ISO

1985 high subset.

59.12 IGYPS8169 “USE FOR DEBUGGING statement”: obsolete element

in ANS/ISO 1985.

FIPS MESSAGES TOTAL STANDARD NONSTANDARD OBSOLETE

3 1 1 1

RELATED REFERENCES
“Conflicting compiler options” on page 289

INTDATE

Default is: INTDATE(ANSI)

304 Programming Guide

 INTDATE(ANSI) instructs the compiler to use the ANSI COBOL Standard starting
date for integer dates used with date intrinsic functions. Day 1 is Jan 1, 1601.

INTDATE(LILIAN) instructs the compiler to use the Language Environment Lilian

starting date for integer dates used with date intrinsic functions. Day 1 is Oct 15,
1582.

With INTDATE(LILIAN), the date intrinsic functions return results compatible with
the Language Environment date callable services.

Usage note: When INTDATE(LILIAN) is in effect, CEECBLDY is not usable since you
have no way to turn an ANSI integer into a meaningful date using either intrinsic
functions or callable services. If you code a CALL literal statement with CEECBLDY
as the target of the call with INTDATE(LILIAN) in effect, the compiler diagnoses this
and converts the call target to CEEDAYS.

LANGUAGE

Default is: LANGUAGE(ENGLISH)

Abbreviations are: LANG(EN|UE|JA|JP)

Use the LANGUAGE option to select the language in which compiler output will be
printed. The information that will be printed in the selected language includes
diagnostic messages, source listing page and scale headers, FIPS message headers,
message summary headers, compilation summary, and headers and notations that
result from the selection of certain compiler options (MAP, XREF, VBREF, and
FLAGSTD).

name specifies the language for compiler output messages. Possible values for the
LANGUAGE option are shown in the table.

Name Abbreviation1 Output language

ENGLISH EN Mixed-case English (the default)
JAPANESE JA, JP Japanese, using the Japanese character set
UENGLISH 2
UE Uppercase English

1. If your installation’s system programmer has provided a language other than those
described, you must specify at least the first two characters of this other language’s
name.
2. To specify a language other than UENGLISH, the appropriate language feature must be
installed.

If the LANGUAGE option is changed at compile time (using CBL or PROCESS

statements), some initial text will be printed using the language that was in effect
at the time the compiler was started.

NATLANG: The NATLANG run-time option allows you to control the national language
to be used for the run-time environment, including error messages, month names,

Chapter 18. Compiler options 305

 and day-of-the-week names. The LANGUAGE compiler option and the NATLANG
run-time option act independently of each other. You can use them together with
neither taking precedence over the other.

LIB

Default is: NOLIB

Abbreviations are: None

If your program uses COPY, BASIS, or REPLACE statements, the LIB compiler option
must be in effect. In addition, for COPY and BASIS statements, you need to define
the library or libraries from which the compiler can take the copied code. Define
the libraries with DD statements, ALLOCATE commands, or environment variables, as
appropriate for your environment. When using JCL, also include a DD statement to
allocate SYSUT5.

RELATED REFERENCES
“Compiler-directing statements” on page 332
“Conflicting compiler options” on page 289

LINECOUNT

Default is: LINECOUNT(60)

Abbreviations are: LC

nnn must be an integer between 10 and 255, or 0.

Use LINECOUNT(nnn) to specify the number of lines to be printed on each page of

the compilation listing, or use LINECOUNT(0) to suppress pagination.

If you specify LINECOUNT(0), no page ejects are generated in the compilation listing.

The compiler uses three lines of nnn for titles. For example, if you specify
LINECOUNT(60), 57 lines of source code are printed on each page of the output
listing.

LIST

Default is: NOLIST

Abbreviations are: None

306 Programming Guide

 Use the LIST compiler option to produce a listing of the assembler-language
expansion of your source code.

You will also get these in your output listing:

v Global tables
v Literal pools
v Information about WORKING-STORAGE
v Size of the program’s WORKING-STORAGE and its location in the object code if the
program is compiled with the NORENT option

The output is generated if:

v You specify the COMPILE option (or the NOCOMPILE(x) option is in effect and an
error level x or higher does not occur).
v You do not specify the OFFSET option.

If you want to limit the assembler listing output, use *CONTROL LIST or NOLIST
statements in your PROCEDURE DIVISION. Your source statements following a
*CONTROL NOLIST are not included in the listing until a *CONTROL LIST statement
switches the output back to normal LIST format.

RELATED TASKS
“Getting listings” on page 347

RELATED REFERENCES
“Conflicting compiler options” on page 289
*CONTROL (*CBL) statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

MAP

Default is: NOMAP

Abbreviations are: None

Use the MAP compiler option to produce a listing of the items you defined in the
DATA DIVISION. The output includes the following:
v DATA DIVISION map
v Global tables
v Literal pools
v Nested program structure map, and program attributes
v Size of the program’s working storage and its location in the object code if the
program is compiled with the NORENT option

If you want to limit the MAP output, use *CONTROL MAP or NOMAP statements in the
DATA DIVISION. Source statements following a *CONTROL NOMAP are not included in
the listing until a *CONTROL MAP statement switches the output back to normal MAP
format. For example:

Chapter 18. Compiler options 307

 *CONTROL NOMAP *CBL NOMAP
01 A 01 A
02 B 02 B
*CONTROL MAP *CBL MAP

By selecting the MAP option, you can also print an embedded MAP report in the
source code listing. The condensed MAP information is printed to the right of
data-name definitions in the FILE SECTION, WORKING-STORAGE SECTION, and LINKAGE
SECTION of the DATA DIVISION. When both XREF data and an embedded MAP
summary are on the same line, the embedded summary is printed first.

“Example: MAP output” on page 352

RELATED CONCEPTS
Chapter 19, “Debugging” on page 337

RELATED TASKS
“Getting listings” on page 347

RELATED REFERENCES
*CONTROL (*CBL) statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

NAME

Default is: NONAME, or NAME(NOALIAS) if only NAME is specified

Abbreviations are: None

Use NAME to generate a link-edit NAME card for each object module. You can also use
NAME to generate names for each load module when doing batch compilations.
When NAME is specified, a NAME card is appended to each object module that is
created. Load module names are formed using the rules for forming module names
from PROGRAM-ID statements.

If you specify NAME(ALIAS) and if your program contains ENTRY statements, a

link-edit ALIAS card is generated for each ENTRY statement.

The NAME or NAME(ALIAS) options cannot be used when compiling programs that
will be prelinked with the Language Environment prelinker.

RELATED REFERENCES
PROGRAM-ID paragraph (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

308 Programming Guide

NSYMBOL

Default is: NSYMBOL(NATIONAL)

Abbreviations are: NS(NAT|DBCS)

The NSYMBOL option controls the interpretation of the N symbol used in literals and
PICTURE clauses, indicating whether national or DBCS processing is assumed.

With NSYMBOL(NATIONAL):
v Data items defined with the PICTURE clause consisting only of the symbol N
without the USAGE clause are treated as if the USAGE NATIONAL clause were
specified.
v Literals of the form N“. . .” or N’. . .’ are treated as national literals.

With NSYMBOL(DBCS):
v Data items defined with the PICTURE clause consisting only of the symbol N
without the USAGE clause are treated as if the USAGE DISPLAY-1 clause were
specified.
v Literals of the form N“. . .” or N’. . .’ are treated as DBCS literals.

The NSYMBOL(DBCS) option provides compatibility with the previous releases of IBM
COBOL, and the NSYMBOL(NATIONAL) option makes the handling of the above
language elements consistent with the draft 200x COBOL standard in this regard.

NSYMBOL(NATIONAL) is recommended for applications that use Unicode data or

object-oriented syntax for Java interoperability.

RELATED REFERENCES
“Conflicting compiler options” on page 289

NUMBER

Default is: NONUMBER

Abbreviations are: NUM|NONUM

Use the NUMBER compiler option if you have line numbers in your source code and
want those numbers to be used in error messages and SOURCE, MAP, LIST, and XREF
listings.

If you request NUMBER, the compiler checks columns 1 through 6 to make sure that
they contain only numbers and that the numbers are in numeric collating
sequence. (In contrast, SEQUENCE checks the characters in these columns according
to EBCDIC collating sequence.) When a line number is found to be out of
sequence, the compiler assigns to it a line number with a value one higher than the

Chapter 18. Compiler options 309

 line number of the preceding statement. The compiler flags the new value with
two asterisks and includes in the listing a message indicating an out-of-sequence
error. Sequence-checking continues with the next statement, based on the newly
assigned value of the previous line.

If you use COPY statements and NUMBER is in effect, be sure that your source
program line numbers and the copybook line numbers are coordinated.

If you are doing a batch compilation and LIB and NUMBER are in effect, all programs
in the batch compile will be treated as a single input file. The sequence numbers of
the entire input file must be in ascending order.

Use NONUMBER if you do not have line numbers in your source code, or if you want
the compiler to ignore the line numbers you do have in your source code. With
NONUMBER in effect, the compiler generates line numbers for your source statements
and uses those numbers as references in listings.

NUMPROC

Default is: NUMPROC(NOPFD)

Abbreviations are: None

Use NUMPROC(NOPFD) if you want the compiler to perform invalid sign processing.
This option is not as efficient as NUMPROC(PFD); object code size will be increased,
and there could be an increase in run-time overhead to validate all signed data.

NUMPROC(PFD) is a performance option that can be used to bypass invalid sign

processing. Use this option only if your program data agrees exactly with the
following IBM system standards:

External decimal, unsigned: High-order 4 bits of the sign byte contain X’F’.

External decimal, signed overpunch: High-order 4 bits of the sign byte contain
X’C’ if the number is positive or 0, and X’D’ if it is not.

External decimal, separate sign: Separate sign contains the character ’+’ if the
number is positive or 0, and ’-’ if it is not.

Internal decimal, unsigned: Low-order 4 bits of the low-order byte contain X’F’.

Internal decimal, signed: Low-order 4 bits of the low-order byte contain X’C’ if the
number is positive or 0, and X’D’ if it is not.

Data produced by COBOL arithmetic statements conforms to the above IBM

system standards. However, using REDEFINES and group moves could change data
so that it no longer conforms. If you use NUMPROC(PFD), use the INITIALIZE
statement to initialize data fields, rather than using group moves.

310 Programming Guide

 Using NUMPROC(PFD) can affect class tests for numeric data. You should use
NUMPROC(NOPFD) or NUMPROC(MIG) if a COBOL program calls programs written in
PL/I or FORTRAN.

Sign representation is affected not only by the NUMPROC option, but also by the
installation-time option NUMCLS.

Use NUMPROC(MIG) to aid in migrating OS/VS COBOL programs to Enterprise

COBOL. When NUMPROC(MIG) is in effect, the following processing occurs:
v Preferred signs are created only on the output of MOVE statements and arithmetic
operations.
v No explicit sign repair is done on input.
v Some implicit sign repair might occur during conversion.
v Numeric comparisons are performed by a decimal comparison, not a logical
comparison.

RELATED TASKS
“Checking for incompatible data (numeric class test)” on page 46

RELATED REFERENCES
“Sign representation and processing” on page 45

OBJECT

Default is: OBJECT

Abbreviations are: OBJ|NOOBJ

Use OBJECT to place the generated object code on disk or tape to be later used as
input for the linkage editor or binder.

If you specify OBJECT, include a SYSLIN DD statement in your JCL for compilation.

The only difference between DECK and OBJECT is in the routing of the data sets:
v DECK output goes to the data set associated with ddname SYSPUNCH.
v OBJECT output goes to the data set associated with ddname SYSLIN.

Use the option that your installation guidelines recommend.

RELATED REFERENCES
“Conflicting compiler options” on page 289

Chapter 18. Compiler options 311

 OFFSET

Default is: NOOFFSET

Abbreviations are: OFF|NOOFF

Use OFFSET to produce a condensed PROCEDURE DIVISION listing. With OFFSET, the
condensed PROCEDURE DIVISION listing will contain line numbers, statement
references, and the location of the first instruction generated for each statement. In
addition, the following are produced:
v Global tables
v Literal pools
v Size of the program’s working storage, and its location in the object code if the
program is compiled with the NORENT option

RELATED REFERENCES
“Conflicting compiler options” on page 289

OPTIMIZE

Default is: NOOPTIMIZE

Abbreviations are: OPT|NOOPT

Use OPTIMIZE to reduce the run time of your object program; optimization might
also reduce the amount of storage your object program uses. Because OPTIMIZE
increases compile time and can change the order of statements in your program,
you should not use it when debugging.

If OPTIMIZE is specified without any suboptions, OPTIMIZE(STD) will be in effect.

The FULL suboption requests that, in addition to the optimizations performed

under OPT(STD), the compiler discard unreferenced data items from the DATA
DIVISION and suppress generation of code to initialize these data items to their
VALUE clauses. When OPT(FULL) is in effect, all unreferenced 77-level items and
elementary 01-level items will be discarded. In addition, 01-level group items will
be discarded if none of the subordinate items are referenced. The deleted items are
| shown in the listing. If the MAP option is in effect, a BL number of XXXXX in the data
map information indicates that the data item was discarded.

Unused data items

Do not use OPT(FULL) if your programs depend on making use of unused data
items. In the past, this has commonly been done in two ways:

312 Programming Guide

 v A technique sometimes used in OS/VS COBOL programs is to place an
unreferenced table after a referenced table and use out-of-range subscripts on the
first table to access the second table. To see if your programs use this technique,
use the SSRANGE compiler option with the CHECK(ON) run-time option. To work
around this problem, use the ability of COBOL to code large tables and use just
one table.
v Place eye-catcher data items in the WORKING-STORAGE SECTION to identify the
beginning and end of the program data, or to mark a copy of a program for a
library tool that uses the data to identify a version of a program. To solve this
problem, initialize these items with PROCEDURE DIVISION statements rather than
VALUE clauses. With this method, the compiler will consider these items as used,
and will not delete them.

The OPTIMIZE option is turned off in the case of a severe-level error or higher.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Optimization” on page 560

RELATED REFERENCES
“Conflicting compiler options” on page 289

OUTDD

Default is: OUTDD(SYSOUT)

Abbreviations are: OUT

Use OUTDD to specify that you want DISPLAY output that is directed to the system
logical output device to go to a specific ddname. Note that you can specify a file in
the hierarchical file system (HFS) with the ddname named in OUTDD. See the
discussion of the DISPLAY statement for defaults and for behavior when this
ddname is not allocated.

The MSGFILE run-time option allows you to specify the ddname of the file to which
all run-time diagnostics and reports generated by the RPTOPTS and RPTSTG run-time
options are written. The IBM-supplied default is MSGFILE(SYSOUT). If the OUTDD
compiler option and the MSGFILE run-time option both specify the same ddname,
the error message information and DISPLAY output directed to the system logical
output device are routed to the same destination.

RELATED TASKS
“Displaying values on a screen or in a file (DISPLAY)” on page 30

RELATED REFERENCES
MSGFILE (Language Environment Programming Reference)

Chapter 18. Compiler options 313

PGMNAME

Default is: PGMNAME(COMPAT)

Abbreviations are: PGMN(LM|LU|CO)

LONGUPPER can be abbreviated as UPPER, LU, or U. LONGMIXED can be abbreviated as

MIXED, LM, or M.

The PGMNAME option controls the handling of names used in the following contexts:
v Program-names defined in the PROGRAM-ID paragraph
v Program entry point names on the ENTRY statement
v Program-name references in:
– Calls to nested programs
– Static calls to separately compiled programs
– Static SET procedure-pointer TO ENTRY literal statement
– Static SET function-pointer TO ENTRY literal statement
– CANCEL of a nested program

PGMNAME(COMPAT)
With PGMNAME(COMPAT), program-names are handled in a manner compatible with
older versions of COBOL compilers, namely:
v The program-name can be up to 30 characters in length.
v All the characters used in the name must be alphabetic, digits, or the hyphen,
except that if the program-name is entered in the literal format and is in the
outermost program, then the literal can also contain the extension characters @,
#, and $.
v At least one character must be alphabetic.
v The hyphen cannot be used as the first or last character.

External program-names are processed by the compiler as follows:

v They are folded to uppercase.
v They are truncated to eight characters.
v Hyphens are translated to zero (0).
v If the first character is not alphabetic, it is converted as follows:
– 1-9 are translated to A-I.
– Anything else is translated to J.

PGMNAME(LONGUPPER)
With PGMNAME(LONGUPPER), program-names that are specified in the PROGRAM-ID
paragraph as COBOL user-defined words must follow the normal COBOL rules for
forming a user-defined word:
v The program-name can be up to 30 characters in length.
v All the characters used in the name must be alphabetic, digits, or the hyphen.

314 Programming Guide

 v At least one character must be alphabetic.
v The hyphen cannot be used as the first or last character.

When a program is specified as a literal, in either a definition or a reference, then:

v The program-name can be up to 160 characters in length.
v All the characters used in the name must be alphabetic, digits, or the hyphen.
v At least one character must be alphabetic.
v The hyphen cannot be used as the first or last character.

External program-names are processed by the compiler as follows:

v They are folded to uppercase.
v Hyphens are translated to zero (0).
v If the first character is not alphabetic, it is converted as follows:
– 1-9 are translated to A-I.
– Anything else is translated to J.

Nested-program names are folded to uppercase by the compiler but otherwise are
processed as is, without truncation or translation.

PGMNAME(LONGMIXED)
With PGMNAME(LONGMIXED), program-names are processed as is, without truncation,
translation, or folding to uppercase.

With PGMNAME(LONGMIXED), all program-name definitions must be specified using

the literal format of the program-name in the PROGRAM-ID paragraph or ENTRY
statement.

The literal used for a program-name (in any of the contexts listed above as affected
by the PGMNAME option) can contain any character in the range X’41’-X’FE’.

Usage notes
v The following are not affected by the PGMNAME option:
– Class-names and method-names.
– System-names (assignment-names in SELECT . . . ASSIGN, and text-names or
library-names on COPY statements).
– Dynamic calls. Dynamic calls are resolved with the target program-name
truncated to eight characters, folded to uppercase, and translation of
embedded hyphens or a leading digit.
– CANCEL of nonnested programs. Name resolution uses the same mechanism as
for a dynamic call.
v The PGMNAME option does affect nested-program calls and static calls to programs
that are linked together with the caller.
v Dynamic calls are not permitted to COBOL programs compiled with the
PGMNAME(LONGMIXED) or PGMNAME(LONGUPPER) options unless the program-name is
less than or equal to 8 bytes and all uppercase. In addition, the name of the
program must be identical to the name of the module that contains it.
v When using the extended character set supported by PGMNAME(LONGMIXED), be
sure to use names that conform to the linkage-editor, binder, prelinker, or system
conventions that apply, depending on the mechanism used to resolve the names.

Chapter 18. Compiler options 315

 Using characters such as commas or parentheses is not recommended, because
these characters are used in the syntax of linkage-editor and binder control
statements.

QUOTE/APOST

Default is: QUOTE

Abbreviations are: Q|APOST

Use QUOTE if you want the figurative constant [ALL] QUOTE or [ALL] QUOTES to
represent one or more quotation mark (“) characters.

Use APOST if you want the figurative constant [ALL] QUOTE or [ALL] QUOTES to
represent one or more apostrophe (’) characters.

Delimiters: Either quotes or apostrophes can be used as literal delimiters,

regardless of whether the APOST or QUOTE option is in effect. The delimiter character
used as the opening delimiter for a literal must be used as the closing delimiter for
that literal.

RENT

Default is: RENT

Abbreviations are: None

A program compiled as RENT is generated as a reentrant object program; a program

compiled as NORENT is generated as a nonreentrant object program. Either can be
invoked as a main program or subprogram.

DATA and RMODE settings: The RENT option interacts with other compiler options that
affect storage and its addressability. When a reentrant program is to be run with
extended addressing, you can use the DATA(24|31) option to control whether
dynamic data areas are allocated in unrestricted storage or in storage obtained
from below 16 MB. Compile programs with RENT or RMODE(ANY) if they will be run
with extended addressing in virtual storage addresses above 16 MB.

RENT also affects the RMODE (residency mode) of your generated object program. All
Enterprise COBOL programs are AMODE ANY.

DATA: The setting of the DATA option does not affect programs compiled with
NORENT.

CICS: You must use RENT for programs to be run under CICS.

UNIX: You must use RENT for programs to be run in the UNIX environment.

316 Programming Guide

 DB2: RENT is is recommended for DB2 stored procedures, especially programs
designated as main.

Link-edit considerations: If all programs in a load module are compiled with RENT,
it is recommended that the load module be link-edited with the RENT linkage-editor
or binder option. (Use the REUS linkage-editor or binder option instead if the load
module will also contain any non-COBOL programs that are serially reusable.)

If any program in a load module is compiled with NORENT, the load module must
not be link-edited with the RENT or REUS link-edit attributes. The NOREUS
linkage-editor or binder option is needed to ensure that the CANCEL statement will
guarantee a fresh copy of the program on a subsequent CALL.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Storage and its addressability” on page 33

RELATED TASKS
Using reentrant code (IBM DB2 Application Programming and SQL Guide)

RELATED REFERENCES
“Conflicting compiler options” on page 289

RMODE

Default is: AUTO

Abbreviations are: None

The RMODE option setting influences the the RMODE (residency mode) of your
generated object program.

A program compiled with the RMODE(AUTO) option will have RMODE 24 if NORENT is
| specified, and RMODE ANY if RENT is specified. RMODE(AUTO) is compatible with older
| compilers such as VS COBOL II, which produced RMODE 24 for programs compiled
| with NORENT and RMODE ANY for programs compiled with RENT.

A program compiled with the RMODE(24) option will have RMODE 24 whether NORENT
or RENT is specified.

A program compiled with the RMODE(ANY) option will have RMODE ANY whether
NORENT or RENT is specified.

DATA and RENT: The RMODE option interacts with other compiler options and
run-time options that affect storage and its addressability. See the related concepts
for information about passing data between programs with different modes.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Storage and its addressability” on page 33

Chapter 18. Compiler options 317

 RELATED REFERENCES
“Allocation of buffers for QSAM files” on page 140
“Conflicting compiler options” on page 289

SEQUENCE

Default is: SEQUENCE

Abbreviations are: SEQ|NOSEQ

When you use SEQUENCE, the compiler examines columns 1 through 6 of your
source statements to check that the statements are arranged in ascending order
according to their EBCDIC collating sequence. The compiler issues a diagnostic
message if any statements are not in ascending sequence (source statements with
blanks in columns 1 through 6 do not participate in this sequence check and do
not result in messages).

If you use COPY statements and SEQUENCE is in effect, be sure that your source
program sequence fields and the copybook sequence fields are coordinated.

If you use NUMBER and SEQUENCE, the sequence is checked according to numeric,
rather than EBCDIC, collating sequence.

If you are doing a batch compilation and LIB and SEQUENCE are in effect, all
programs in the batch compile will be treated as a single input file. The sequence
numbers of the entire input file must be in ascending order.

Use NOSEQUENCE to suppress this checking and the diagnostic messages.

SIZE

Default is: SIZE(MAX)

Abbreviations are: SZ

nnnnn specifies a decimal number that must be at least 851968.

nnnK specifies a decimal number in 1-KB increments, where 1 KB = 1024 bytes.

The minimum acceptable value is 832K.

MAX requests the largest available block of storage in the user region for use during
compilation.

Use SIZE to indicate the amount of main storage available for compilation.

318 Programming Guide

 Do not use SIZE(MAX) if, when you invoke the compiler, you require it to leave a
specific amount of unused storage available in the user region. If you compile in
31-bit mode and specify SIZE(MAX), the compiler uses storage as follows:
v Above the 16-MB line: all the storage in the user region
v Below the 16-MB line: storage for:
– Work file buffers
– Compiler modules that must be loaded below the line

SOURCE

Default is: SOURCE

Abbreviations are: S|NOS

Use SOURCE to get a listing of your source program. This listing will include any
statements embedded by PROCESS or COPY statements.

You must specify SOURCE if you want embedded messages in the source listing.

Use NOSOURCE to suppress the source code from the compiler output listing.

If you want to limit the SOURCE output, use *CONTROL SOURCE or NOSOURCE
statements in your PROCEDURE DIVISION. Your source statements following a
*CONTROL NOSOURCE are not included in the listing at all, unless a *CONTROL SOURCE
statement switches the output back to normal SOURCE format.

“Example: MAP output” on page 352

RELATED REFERENCES
*CONTROL (*CBL) statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

SPACE

Default is: SPACE(1)

Abbreviations are: None

Use SPACE to select single-, double-, or triple-spacing in your source code listing.

SPACE has meaning only when the SOURCE compiler option is in effect.

RELATED REFERENCES
“SOURCE”

Chapter 18. Compiler options 319

 SQL

Default is: NOSQL

Abbreviations are: None

Use the SQL compiler option to enable the DB2 coprocessor capability and to
specify DB2 suboptions. You must specify the SQL option if your COBOL source
program contains SQL statements and it has not been processed by the DB2
precompiler.

When you use the SQL option, the compiler writes the database request module
(DBRM) to ddname DBRMLIB. Note that the compiler needs access to DB2 Version
7 or later.

If you specify the NOSQL option, any SQL statements found in the source program
are diagnosed and discarded.

Use either quotes or apostrophes to delimit the string of DB2 suboptions.

You can partition a long suboption string into multiple suboption strings on
multiple CBL statements. The DB2 suboptions are concatenated in the order of their
appearance. For example:
//STEP1 EXEC IGYWC, . . .
// PARM.COBOL=’SQL(“string1”)’
//COBOL.SYSIN DD *
CBL SQL(“string2”)
| CBL SQL(’string3’)
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
PROGRAM-ID. DRIVER1.
. . .

The compiler passes the following suboption string to the DB2 coprocessor:
“string1 string2 string3”

The concatenated strings are delimited with single spaces as shown. If multiple
instances of the same DB2 option are found, the last specification of each option
prevails. The compiler limits the length of the concatenated DB2 suboptions string
to 4 KB.

RELATED TASKS
“Compiling with the SQL option” on page 387

RELATED REFERENCES
“Conflicting compiler options” on page 289

320 Programming Guide

SSRANGE

Default is: NOSSRANGE

Abbreviations are: SSR|NOSSR

Use SSRANGE to generate code that checks if subscripts (including ALL subscripts) or
indexes try to reference an area outside the region of the table. Each subscript or
index is not individually checked for validity; rather, the effective address is
checked to ensure that it does not cause a reference outside the region of the table.
Variable-length items will also be checked to ensure that the reference is within
their maximum defined length.

Reference modification expressions will be checked to ensure that:

v The reference modification starting position is greater than or equal to 1.
v The reference modification starting position is not greater than the current length
of the subject data item.
v The reference modification length value (if specified) is greater than or equal to
1.
v The reference modification starting position and length value (if specified) do
not reference an area beyond the end of the subject data item.

If SSRANGE is in effect at compile time, the range-checking code is generated. You

can inhibit range checking by specifying CHECK(OFF) as a run-time option. This
leaves range-checking code dormant in the object code. Optionally, the
range-checking code can be used to aid in resolving any unexpected errors without
recompilation.

If an out-of-range condition is detected, an error message is displayed and the

program is terminated.

Remember: You will get range checking only if you compile your program with
the SSRANGE option and run it with the CHECK(ON) run-time option.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Reference modifiers” on page 93

TERMINAL

Default is: NOTERMINAL

Abbreviations are: TERM|NOTERM

Use TERMINAL to send progress and diagnostic messages to the SYSTERM data set.

Use NOTERMINAL if you do not want this additional output.

Chapter 18. Compiler options 321

 TEST

Default is: NOTEST

Abbreviations are: SEP for SEPARATE and NOSEP for NOSEPARATE.

Use TEST to produce object code that enables Debug Tool to perform batch and
interactive debugging. The amount of debugging support available depends on
which TEST suboptions you use. The TEST option also allows you to request that
symbolic variables be included in the formatted dump produced by Language
Environment.

Use NOTEST if you do not want to generate object code with debugging information
and do not want the formatted dump to include symbolic variables.

TEST has three suboptions. You can specify any combination of suboptions (one,
two, or all), but you can specify SEPARATE only when SYM is in effect.

| If you specify TEST without any suboptions, TEST(ALL,SYM,NOSEP) will be in effect.

Hook location suboptions
NONE No hooks will be generated.
BLOCK Hooks will be generated at all program entry and exit points.
PATH Hooks will be generated at all program entry and exit points and
at all path points. A path point is any location in a program where
the logic flow is not necessarily sequential or can change. Some
examples of path points are IF-THEN-ELSE constructs, PERFORM
loops, ON SIZE ERROR phrases, and CALL statements.
STMT Hooks will be generated at every statement and label, and at all
program entry and exit points. In addition, if the DATEPROC option
is in effect, hooks will be generated at all date-processing
statements.
ALL Hooks will be generated at all statements, all path points, and at
all program entry and exit points (both outermost and in contained
programs). In addition, if the DATEPROC option is in effect, hooks
will be generated at all date-processing statements.

| Symbolic information suboptions

| SYM When you specify the SYM suboption, the compiler generates
| symbol information tables. These tables are required if you:

322 Programming Guide

| v Refer to COBOL identifiers, such as data-names, file-names, and
| special registers, in Debug Tool commands such as LIST, MOVE,
| SET, IF, PERFORM, and EVALUATE
| v Use the automonitor and the playback (saving the application
| data value history) features of Debug Tool
| v Specify that the Language Environment dump of the program
| include a formatted dump of the data items that are declared in
| the program
| NOSYM The compiler does not generate symbol information tables.

| Symbolic information location suboptions

SEPARATE
| Specify the SEPARATE suboption to control module size while
| retaining debugging capability. Symbolic information is written to
| the SYSDEBUG file instead of to the object module. See the
| additional information below about controlling module size while
| retaining debug capability.
NOSEPARATE
When you do not specify the SEPARATE suboption, the symbolic
information is included in the object module.

| Controlling module size while retaining debugging capability: For symbolic

| debugging, compile your programs with TEST(SYM). This option causes the
| compiler to generate debugging information tables that Debug Tool uses to resolve
| data-names, paragraph-names, and the like. This information can take a lot of
| storage. You can choose to either compile the information into the object program
| or write it to a separate file, the SYSDEBUG file. For smaller load modules, use the
| SEPARATE suboption and keep the separate debugging files to use for Debug Tool
| sessions. To avoid the management of separate debugging files, you can compile
| with the NOSEPARATE suboption, but this option will result in larger load modules.

When you invoke the COBOL compiler from JCL or from TSO and you specify
TEST(. . .,SYM,SEPARATE), the symbolic debug information tables are written to
the data set that is specified in the SYSDEBUG DD statement. The SYSDEBUG DD
statement must specify the name of a sequential data set, the name of a PDS or
PDSE member, or an HFS path. The data set LRECL must be greater than or equal
to 80, and less than or equal to 1024. The default LRECL for SYSDEBUG is 1024. The
data set RECFM can be F or FB. You can set the block size by using the BLKSIZE
subparameter of the DCB parameter, or leave it to the system to set the
system-determined default block size.

When you invoke the COBOL compiler from the UNIX shell and you specify
TEST(. . .,SYM,SEPARATE), the symbolic debug information tables are written to
file.dbg in the current directory, where file is the name of the COBOL source file.

| Performance versus debugging capability: You can control the amount of

| debugging capability you get and so also the performance, as follows:
| v For high performance and some restrictions on debugging, specify OPT and
| TEST(NONE,SYM).
| When you use the dynamic debug facility of Debug Tool (SET DYNDEBUG ON), you
| can interactively debug your program even if the program has no compiled-in

Chapter 18. Compiler options 323

| debug hooks. To use this function, compile with TEST(NONE,SYM). With this
| option, you can also compile with OPTIMIZE (either OPTIMIZE(STD) or
| OPTIMIZE(FULL)) for a more efficient program, but with some restrictions on
| debugging:
| – The GOTO Debug Tool command is not supported.
| – The COMPUTE, MOVE, and SET Debug Tool commands can set only Debug Tool
| session variables, not any data items that are declared in your optimized
| program.
| – Except for the DESCRIBE ATTRIBUTES command, Debug Tool commands cannot
| refer to any data item that was discarded from your program by the
| OPTIMIZE(FULL) option.
| – The AT CALL entry-name Debug Tool command is not supported.
| v For medium performance and fewer restrictions on debugging, specify NOOPT
| and TEST(NONE,SYM).
| This combination does not run as fast as optimized code, but it provides
| increased debugging capability. All Debug Tool commands are supported except
| the AT CALL entry-name command.
| v For slow performance but maximum debugging capabilities, specify TEST(ALL).
| The TEST(ALL) option causes the compiler to put compiled-in hooks at every
| statement, resulting in much slower code, but all Debug Tool commands are
| supported.

Language Environment: The TEST option can improve your formatted dumps from
Language Environment in two ways:
| v Use the TEST option (with any suboptions) to have line numbers in the dump
| that indicate the failing statement, rather than just an offset.
v Use the SYM suboption of TEST to have the values of the program variables listed
in the dump.

With NOTEST, the dump will not have program variables and will not have a line
number for the failing statement.

Enterprise COBOL uses the Language Environment-provided dump services to

produce dumps that are consistent in content and format with those that are
produced by other Language Environment-conforming member languages.
Whether Language Environment produces a dump for unhandled conditions
depends on the setting of the run-time option TERMTHDACT. If you specify
TERMTHDACT(DUMP), a dump is generated when a condition of severity 2 or greater
goes unhandled.

| SEPARATE suboption and Language Environment: For programs that are compiled
| with the SEPARATE suboption of TEST, Language Environment gets the data set
| name for the separate file (which is stored in DD SYSDEBUG by the compiler) from
| the object program. You cannot change the name of the data set at run time. Use
| the same data set name for SYSDEBUG at compile time that you want Language
| Environment to use at run time.

RELATED CONCEPTS
Considerations for setting TERMTHDACT options (Language Environment
Debugging Guide)

RELATED TASKS
“Defining the debug data set (SYSDEBUG)” on page 257

324 Programming Guide

 Generating a dump (Language Environment Debugging Guide)
Invoking Debug Tool using the run-time TEST option (Debug Tool User’s Guide)

RELATED REFERENCES
“Conflicting compiler options” on page 289
“OPTIMIZE” on page 312
TEST | NOTEST (Language Environment Programming Reference)

THREAD

Default is: NOTHREAD

Abbreviations are: None

THREAD indicates that the COBOL program is to be enabled for execution in a

Language Environment enclave with multiple POSIX threads or PL/I tasks.

A program that has been compiled with the THREAD option can also be used in a
nonthreaded application. However, when a COBOL program will be executed in a
threaded application, all the COBOL programs in the Language Environment
enclave must be compiled with the THREAD option.

NOTHREAD indicates that the COBOL program is not to be enabled for execution in
an enclave with multiple POSIX threads or PL/I tasks.

Programs compiled with compilers earlier than Enterprise COBOL are treated as
compiled with NOTHREAD.

When the THREAD option is in effect, the following language elements are not
supported. If encountered, they are diagnosed as errors:
v ALTER statement
v DEBUG-ITEM special register
v GO TO statement without procedure-name
v RERUN
v STOP literal statement
v Segmentation module
v USE FOR DEBUGGING statement
v INITIAL phrase in PROGRAM-ID clause
v Nested programs
v SORT or MERGE statements

Additionally, some language constructs have different semantics than in the

nonthreaded case.

Although threaded applications are subject to a number of programming and

environment restrictions, the use of a program in nonthreaded applications is not
so restricted. For example, a program compiled with the THREAD option can run in
the CICS and IMS environments, can run AMODE 24, and can call and be called by

Chapter 18. Compiler options 325

 other programs that are not enabled for multithreading, as long as the application
does not contain multiple POSIX threads or PL/I tasks at run time.

Programs compiled with the THREAD option are supported in a reusable

environment created by calling the Language Environment preinitialization routine
CEEPIPI. But a reusable environment created by calling IGZERRE or ILBOSTP0 or
by using the RTEREUS run-time option is not supported for programs compiled with
the THREAD option.

Performance: With the THREAD option, you can anticipate some run-time
performance degradation due to the overhead of serialization logic that is
automatically generated.

RELATED TASKS
Chapter 27, “Preparing COBOL programs for multithreading” on page 449

RELATED REFERENCES
“Conflicting compiler options” on page 289

TRUNC

Default is: TRUNC(STD)

Abbreviations are: None

TRUNC has no effect on COMP-5 data items; COMP-5 items are handled as if
TRUNC(BIN) were in effect regardless of the TRUNC suboption specified.
TRUNC(STD)
Use TRUNC(STD) to control the way arithmetic fields are truncated during
MOVE and arithmetic operations. TRUNC(STD) applies only to USAGE BINARY
receiving fields in MOVE statements and arithmetic expressions. When
TRUNC(STD) is in effect, the final result of an arithmetic expression, or the
sending field in the MOVE statement, is truncated to the number of digits in
the PICTURE clause of the BINARY receiving field.
TRUNC(OPT)
TRUNC(OPT) is a performance option. When TRUNC(OPT) is in effect, the
compiler assumes that data conforms to PICTURE specifications in USAGE
BINARY receiving fields in MOVE statements and arithmetic expressions. The
results are manipulated in the most optimal way, either truncating to the
number of digits in the PICTURE clause, or to the size of the binary field in
storage (halfword, fullword, or doubleword).
Tips:
v Use the TRUNC(OPT) option only if you are sure that the data being
moved into the binary areas will not have a value with larger precision
than that defined by the PICTURE clause for the binary item. Otherwise,
unpredictable results could occur. This truncation is performed in the
most efficient manner possible; therefore, the results will be dependent

326 Programming Guide

 on the particular code sequence generated. It is not possible to predict
the truncation without seeing the code sequence generated for a
particular statement.
v There are some cases when programs compiled with the TRUNC(OPT)
option under Enterprise COBOL could give different results than the
same programs compiled under OS/VS COBOL with NOTRUNC. You must
actually lose nonzero high-order digits for this difference to appear. For
statements where loss of high-order digits might cause a difference in
results between Enterprise COBOL and OS/VS COBOL, Enterprise
COBOL will issue a diagnostic message. If you receive this message,
make sure that either the sending items will not contain large numbers
or that the receivers are defined with enough digits in the PICTURE clause
to handle the largest sending data items.
TRUNC(BIN)
The TRUNC(BIN) option applies to all COBOL language that processes USAGE
BINARY data. When TRUNC(BIN) is in effect, all binary items (USAGE COMP,
COMP-4, or BINARY) are handled as native hardware binary items, that is, as
if they were each individually declared USAGE COMP-5:
v BINARY receiving fields are truncated only at halfword, fullword, or
doubleword boundaries.
v BINARY sending fields are handled as halfwords, fullwords, or
doublewords when the receiver is numeric; TRUNC(BIN) has no effect
when the receiver is not numeric.
v The full binary content of fields is significant.
v DISPLAY will convert the entire content of binary fields with no
truncation.

Recommendations: TRUNC(BIN) is the recommended option for programs

that use binary values set by other products. Other products, such as IMS,
DB2, C/C++, FORTRAN, and PL/I, might place values in COBOL binary
data items that do not conform to the PICTURE clause of the data items. You
can use TRUNC(OPT) with CICS programs as long as your data conforms to
the PICTURE clause for your BINARY data items.

| You can avoid the performance overhead of using TRUNC(BIN) for all binary
| data in a program by using COMP-5 for individual binary data items passed
to non-COBOL programs or other products and subsystems. The use of
COMP-5 is not affected by the TRUNC suboption in effect.

Large literals in VALUE clauses: When you use the compiler option
TRUNC(BIN), numeric literals specified in VALUE clauses for binary data
items (COMP, COMP-4, or BINARY) can generally contain a value of magnitude
up to the capacity of the native binary representation (2, 4, or 8 bytes)
rather than being limited to the value implied by the number of 9s in the
PICTURE clause.

TRUNC example 1
01 BIN-VAR PIC 99 USAGE BINARY.
. . .
MOVE 123451 to BIN-VAR

The following table shows values of the data items after the MOVE:

Chapter 18. Compiler options 327

 Data item Decimal Hex Display
Sender 123451 00|01|E2|3B 123451
Receiver TRUNC(STD) 51 00|33 51
Receiver TRUNC(OPT) -7621 E2|3B 2J
Receiver TRUNC(BIN) -7621 E2|3B 762J

A halfword of storage is allocated for BIN-VAR. The result of this MOVE statement if
the program is compiled with the TRUNC(STD) option is 51; the field is truncated to
conform to the PICTURE clause.

If you compile the program with the TRUNC(BIN), the result of the MOVE statement is
-7621. The reason for the unusual result is that nonzero high-order digits are
truncated. Here, the generated code sequence would merely move the lower
halfword quantity X’E23B’ to the receiver. Because the new truncated value
overflows into the sign bit of the binary halfword, the value becomes a negative
number.

It is better not to compile this MOVE statement with TRUNC(OPT), because 123451 has
greater precision than the PICTURE clause for BIN-VAR. With TRUNC(OPT), the results
are again -7621. This is because the best performance was gained by not doing a
decimal truncation.

TRUNC example 2
01 BIN-VAR PIC 9(6) USAGE BINARY
. . .
MOVE 1234567891 to BIN-VAR

The following table shows values of the data items after the MOVE:

Data item Decimal Hex Display

Sender 1234567891 49|96|02|D3 1234567891
Receiver TRUNC(STD) 567891 00|08|AA|53 567891
Receiver TRUNC(OPT) 567891 53|AA|08|00 567891
Receiver TRUNC(BIN) 1234567891 49|96|02|D3 1234567891

When you specify TRUNC(STD), the sending data is truncated to six integer digits to
conform to the PICTURE clause of the BINARY receiver.

When you specify TRUNC(OPT), the compiler assumes the sending data is not larger
than the PICTURE clause precision of the BINARY receiver. The most efficient code
sequence in this case is truncation as if TRUNC(STD) were in effect.

When you specify TRUNC(BIN), no truncation occurs because all of the sending data
fits into the binary fullword allocated for BIN-VAR.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Formats for numeric data” on page 40

RELATED TASKS
“Compiling with the CICS option” on page 378

328 Programming Guide

 RELATED REFERENCES
VALUE clause (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

VBREF

Default is: NOVBREF

Abbreviations are: None

Use VBREF to get a cross-reference among all verb types used in the source program
and the line numbers in which they are used. VBREF also produces a summary of
how many times each verb was used in the program.

Use NOVBREF for more efficient compilation.

WORD

Default is: NOWORD

Abbreviations are: WD|NOWD

xxxx specifies the ending characters of the name of the reserved-word table
(IGYCxxxx) to be used in your compilation. IGYC are the first four standard
characters of the name, and xxxx can be one to four characters in length.

Use WORD(xxxx) to specify that an alternate reserved-word table is to be used during

compilation.

Alternate reserved-word tables provide changes to the IBM-supplied default

reserved-word table. Your systems programmer might have created one or more
alternate reserved-word tables for your site. See your systems programmer for the
names of alternate reserved-word tables.

Enterprise COBOL provides an alternate reserved-word table (IGYCCICS)

specifically for CICS applications. It is set up to flag COBOL words not supported
under CICS with an error message. If you want to use this CICS reserved-word
table during your compilation, specify the compiler option WORD(CICS).

RELATED TASKS
“Compiling with the CICS option” on page 378

RELATED REFERENCES
“Conflicting compiler options” on page 289

Chapter 18. Compiler options 329

 XREF

| Default is: XREF(FULL)

Abbreviations are: X|NOX

| You can choose XREF, XREF(FULL), or XREF(SHORT). If you specify XREF without any
| suboptions, XREF(FULL) will be in effect.

Use XREF to get a sorted cross-reference listing. EBCDIC data-names and

procedure-names are listed in alphanumeric order. DBCS data-names and
procedure-names are listed based on their physical order in the program, and
appear before the EBCDIC data-names and procedure-names, unless the DBCSXREF
installation option is selected with a DBCS ordering program. In this case, DBCS
data-names and procedure-names are ordered as specified by the DBCS ordering
program.

Also included is a section listing all the program-names that are referenced in your
program, and the line number where they are defined. External program-names are
identified as such.

If you use XREF and SOURCE, cross-reference information is printed on the same line
as the original source in the listing. Line number references or other information
appears on the right-hand side of the listing page. On the right of source lines that
reference an intrinsic function, the letters IFN appear with the line numbers of the
location where the function’s arguments are defined. Information included in the
embedded references lets you know if an identifier is undefined or defined more
than once (UND or DUP will be printed); if an item is implicitly defined (IMP), such as
special registers or figurative constants; and if a program-name is external (EXT).

If you use XREF and NOSOURCE, you’ll get only the sorted cross-reference listing.

XREF(SHORT) will print only the explicitly referenced variables in the cross-reference
listing. XREF(SHORT) applies to DBCS data-names and procedure-names as well as
EBCDIC names.

NOXREF suppresses this listing.

Usage notes
v Group names used in a MOVE CORRESPONDING statement are in the XREF listing. In
addition, the elementary names in those groups are also listed.
v In the data-name XREF listing, line numbers preceded by the letter M indicate that
the data item is explicitly modified by a statement on that line.
v XREF listings take additional storage.

RELATED CONCEPTS
Chapter 19, “Debugging” on page 337

330 Programming Guide

 RELATED TASKS
“Getting listings” on page 347

RELATED REFERENCES
COBOL compiler options (Language Environment Debugging Guide)

YEARWINDOW

Default is: YEARWINDOW(1900)

Abbreviation is: YW

Use the YEARWINDOW option to specify the first year of the 100-year window (the
century window) to be applied to windowed date field processing by the COBOL
compiler.

base-year represents the first year of the 100-year window, and must be specified as
one of the following:
v An unsigned decimal number between 1900 and 1999.
This specifies the starting year of a fixed window. For example,
YEARWINDOW(1930) indicates a century window of 1930-2029.
v A negative integer from -1 through -99.
This indicates a sliding window, where the first year of the window is calculated
from the current run-time date. The number is subtracted from the current year
to give the starting year of the century window. For example, YEARWINDOW(-80)
indicates that the first year of the century window is 80 years before the current
year at the time the program is run.

Usage notes
v The YEARWINDOW option has no effect unless the DATEPROC option is also in effect.
v At run time, two conditions must be true:
– The century window must have its beginning year in the 1900s.
– The current year must lie within the century window for the compilation
unit.

For example, if the current year is 2002, the DATEPROC option is in effect, and you
use the YEARWINDOW(1900) option, the program will terminate with an error
message.

ZWB

Default is: ZWB

Abbreviations are: None

Chapter 18. Compiler options 331

 With ZWB, the compiler removes the sign from a signed external decimal (DISPLAY)
field when comparing this field to an alphanumeric elementary field during
execution.

If the external decimal item is a scaled item (contains the symbol P in its PICTURE
character string), its use in comparisons is not affected by ZWB. Such items always
have their sign removed before the comparison is made to the alphanumeric field.

ZWB affects how the program runs; the same COBOL source program can give
different results, depending on the option setting.

Use NOZWB if you want to test input numeric fields for SPACES.

Compiler-directing statements
Several statements help you to direct the compilation of your program.
BASIS statement
This extended source program library statement provides a complete
COBOL program as the source for a compilation. For rules of formation
and processing, see the description of text-name for the COPY statement.
*CONTROL (*CBL) statement
This compiler-directing statement selectively suppresses or allows output
to be produced. The names *CONTROL and *CBL are synonymous.
COPY statement

This library statement places prewritten text into a COBOL program. A

user-defined word can be the same as a text-name or a library-name. The
uniqueness of text-name and library-name is determined after the formation
and conversion rules for a system-dependent name have been applied. If
library-name is omitted, SYSLIB is assumed.
When compiling with JCL:
text-name, library-name, and literal are processed as follows:
v The name (which can be one to 30 characters long) is truncated to eight
characters. Only the first eight characters of text-name and library-name
are used as the identifying name. These eight characters must be unique
within one COBOL library.
v The name is folded to uppercase.
v Hyphens that are not the first or last character are translated to zero (0),
and a warning message is given.
v If the first character is numeric, then the characters (1-9) are translated to
A-I, and a warning message is given. An error message is given if the
first or last character is a hyphen (or if it is a hyphen, @, #, or $ for a
literal).

For example:
COPY INVOICES1Q
COPY “Company-#Employees” IN Personellib
In the IN/OF phrase, library-name is the ddname that identifies the

332 Programming Guide

partitioned data set to be copied from. Use a DD statement such as in the
following example to define library-name:
//COPYLIB DD DSNAME=ABC.COB,VOLUME=SER=111111,
// DISP=SHR,UNIT=3380

To specify more than one copy library, use either JCL or a combination of
JCL and the IN/OF phrase. Using just JCL, concatenate data sets on your DD
statement for SYSLIB. Alternatively, define multiple DD statements and
include the IN/OF phrase on your COPY statements.

The maximum block size for the copy library depends on the device on
which your data set resides.

When compiling in the UNIX System Services shell:

When you compile with the cob2 command, copybooks are included from
the HFS. text-name, library-name, and literal are processed as follows:
v User-defined words are folded to uppercase. Literals are not. Because
UNIX is case sensitive, if your file name is lowercase or mixed case, you
must specify it as a literal.
v When text-name is a literal and library-name is omitted, text-name is used
directly: as a file name, a relative path name, or an absolute path name
(if the first character is /). For example:
COPY “MyInc”
COPY “x/MyInc”
COPY “/u/user1/MyInc”
v When text-name is a user-defined word and an environment variable of
that name is defined, the value of the environment variable is used as
the name of the file containing the copybook.
If an environment variable of that name is not defined, the copybook is
searched for as the following names, in the order given:
1. text-name.cpy
2. text-name.CPY
3. text-name.cbl
4. text-name.CBL
5. text-name.cob
6. text-name.COB
7. text-name
v When library-name is a literal, it is treated as the actual path, relative or
absolute, from which to copy file text-name.
v When library-name is a user-defined word, it is treated as an environment
variable. The value of the environment variable is used as the path. If
the environment variable is not set, an error occurs.
v If both library-name and text-name are specified, the compiler forms the
path name for the copybook by concatenating library-name and text-name
with a path separator (/) inserted between the two values. For example,
suppose you have the following setting for COPY MYCOPY OF MYLIB:
export MYCOPY=mystuff/today.cpy
export MYLIB=/u/user1

These settings result in:

/u/user1/mystuff/today.cpy

Chapter 18. Compiler options 333

 When library-name is an environment variable that identifies the path from
which copybooks are to be copied, use an export command such as the
following example to define library-name:
export COPYLIB=/u/mystuff/copybooks

The name of the environment variable must be uppercase. To specify more

than one copy library, set the environment variable to multiple path names
delimited by colon (:).

When library-name is omitted and text-name is not an absolute path name,

the copybook is searched for in this order:
1. In the current directory
2. In the paths specified on the -I cob2 option
3. In the paths specified in the SYSLIB environment variable
DELETE statement
This extended source library statement removes COBOL statements from
the BASIS source program.
EJECT statement
This compiler-directing statement specifies that the next source statement is
to be printed at the top of the next page.
ENTER statement
The compiler handles this statement as a comment.
INSERT statement
This library statement adds COBOL statements to the BASIS source
program.
PROCESS (CBL) statement
This statement, which is placed before the IDENTIFICATION DIVISION
header of an outermost program, indicates which compiler options are to
be used during compilation of the program.
REPLACE statement
This statement is used to replace source program text.
SERVICE LABEL statement
This statement is generated by the CICS translator to indicate control flow.
It is not intended for general use.
SKIP1/2/3 statement
These statements indicate lines to be skipped in the source listing.
TITLE statement
This statement specifies that a title (header) should be printed at the top of
each page of the source listing.
USE statement
The USE statement provides declaratives to specify the following:
v Error-handling procedures: EXCEPTION/ERROR
v User label-handling procedures: LABEL
v Debugging lines and sections: DEBUGGING

RELATED TASKS
“Changing the header of a source listing” on page 7
“Eliminating repetitive coding” on page 569
“Specifying compiler options under z/OS” on page 258

334 Programming Guide

“Specifying compiler options under UNIX” on page 270
“Setting environment variables under UNIX” on page 269

RELATED REFERENCES
“cob2” on page 273
Enterprise COBOL Language Reference

Chapter 18. Compiler options 335

336 Programming Guide
Chapter 19. Debugging
You can choose from two approaches to determine the cause of problems in
program behavior of your application: source-language debugging or the
interactive debugger.

For source-language debugging, COBOL provides several language elements,

compiler options, and listing outputs that make debugging easier.

If the problem with your program is not easily detected and you do not have a
debugger available, you might need to analyze a storage dump of your program.

Besides using the features inherent in COBOL, you can also use Debug Tool, which
is available in the Full Function offering of this compiler.

Debug Tool offers these productivity enhancements:

v Interactive debugging (in full-screen or line mode), or debugging in batch mode
During an interactive full-screen mode session, you can use Debug Tool’s
full-screen services and session panel windows on a 3270 device to debug your
program while it is running.
v COBOL-like commands
For each high-level language supported, commands for coding actions to be
taken at breakpoints are provided in a syntax similar to that programming
language.
v Mixed-language debugging
You can debug an application that contains programs written in a different
language. Debug Tool automatically determines the language of the program or
subprogram being run.
v COBOL-CICS debugging
Debug Tool supports the debugging of CICS applications in both interactive and
batch mode.
v Support for remote debugging
Workstation users can use the Distributed Debugger for debugging programs
residing on z/OS.

RELATED TASKS
“Debugging with source language” on page 338
“Debugging using compiler options” on page 341
“Getting listings” on page 347
“Preparing to use the debugger” on page 371
Debug Tool User’s Guide

RELATED REFERENCE
Debug Tool Reference and Messages
Formatting and analyzing system dumps (Language Environment Debugging Guide)
Debugging example COBOL programs (Language Environment Debugging Guide)

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 337

Debugging with source language
You can use several COBOL language features to pinpoint the cause of a failure in
your program. If the program is part of a large application already in production
(precluding source updates), write a small test case to simulate the failing part of
the program. Code certain debugging features in the test case to help detect these
problems:
v Errors in program logic
v Input-output errors
v Mismatches of data types
v Uninitialized data
v Problems with procedures

RELATED TASKS
“Tracing program logic”
“Finding and handling input-output errors” on page 339
“Validating data” on page 339
“Finding uninitialized data” on page 339
“Generating information about procedures” on page 340

RELATED REFERENCES
Source language debugging (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Tracing program logic

Trace the logic of your program by adding DISPLAY statements. For example, if you
determine that the problem is in an EVALUATE statement or in a set of nested IF
statements, use DISPLAY statements in each path to see the logic flow. If you
determine that the calculation of a numeric value is causing the problem, use
DISPLAY statements to check the value of some interim results.

If you have used explicit scope terminators to end statements in your program, the
logic of your program is more apparent and therefore easier to trace.

To determine whether a particular routine started and finished, you might insert
code like this into your program:
DISPLAY “ENTER CHECK PROCEDURE”
.
. (checking procedure routine)
.
DISPLAY “FINISHED CHECK PROCEDURE”

After you are sure that the routine works correctly, disable the DISPLAY statements
in one of two ways:
v Put an asterisk in column 7 of each DISPLAY statement line to convert it to a
comment line.
v Put a D in column 7 of each DISPLAY statement to convert it to a comment line.
When you want to reactivate these statements, include a WITH DEBUGGING MODE
clause in the ENVIRONMENT DIVISION; the D in column 7 is ignored and the
DISPLAY statements are implemented.

Before you put the program into production, delete or disable the debugging aids
you used and recompile the program. The program will run more efficiently and
use less storage.

338 Programming Guide

 RELATED CONCEPTS
“Scope terminators” on page 20

RELATED REFERENCES
DISPLAY statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Finding and handling input-output errors

File status keys can help you determine whether your program errors are due to
input-output errors occurring on the storage media.

To use file status keys in debugging, include a test after each input-output
statement to check for a nonzero value in the status key. If the value is nonzero (as
reported in an error message), you should look at the coding of the input-output
procedures in the program. You can also include procedures to correct the error
based on the value of the status key.

If you have determined that a problem lies in an input-output procedure, include

the USE EXCEPTION/ERROR declarative to help debug the problem. Then, when a file
fails to open, the appropriate EXCEPTION/ERROR declarative is performed. The
appropriate declarative might be a specific one for the file or one provided for the
open attributes INPUT, OUTPUT, I-O, or EXTEND.

Code each USE AFTER STANDARD ERROR statement in a section immediately after the
DECLARATIVE SECTION keyword of the PROCEDURE DIVISION.

RELATED TASKS
“Coding ERROR declaratives” on page 227

RELATED REFERENCES
Status key values and meanings (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
Status key (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Validating data
If you suspect that your program is trying to perform arithmetic on nonnumeric
data or is somehow receiving the wrong type of data on an input record, use the
class test to validate the type of data. The class test checks whether data is
alphabetic, alphabetic-lower, alphabetic-upper, DBCS, KANJI, or numeric.

RELATED REFERENCES
Class condition (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Finding uninitialized data

Use INITIALIZE or SET statements to initialize a table or variable when you suspect
that the problem might be caused by residual data left in those fields.

If the problem happens intermittently and not always with the same data, it could
be that a switch is not initialized but generally is set to the right value (0 or 1) by
accident. By including a SET statement to ensure that the switch is initialized, you
can either determine that the uninitialized switch is the problem or remove that as
a possible cause.

RELATED REFERENCES
INITIALIZE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
SET statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Chapter 19. Debugging 339

 Generating information about procedures
Generate information about your program or test case and how it is running with
the USE FOR DEBUGGING declarative. This declarative lets you include statements in
the program and indicate when they should be performed when you run your
program.

For example, to check how many times a procedure is run, you could include a
debugging procedure in the USE FOR DEBUGGING declarative and use a counter to
keep track of the number of times control passes to that procedure. You can use
the counter technique to check items such as these:
v How many times a PERFORM runs and thus whether a particular routine is being
used and whether the control structure is correct
v How many times a loop routine runs and thus whether the loop is executing
and whether the number for the loop is accurate

You can have debugging lines or debugging statements or both in your program.

Debugging lines
Debugging lines are statements that are identified by a D in column 7. To make
debugging lines in your program active, include the WITH DEBUGGING MODE clause
on the SOURCE-COMPUTER line in the ENVIRONMENT DIVISION. Otherwise debugging
lines are treated as comments.

Debugging statements
Debugging statements are the statements coded in the DECLARATIVES SECTION of the
PROCEDURE DIVISION. Code each USE FOR DEBUGGING declarative in a separate
section. Code the debugging statements as follows:
v Only in a DECLARATIVES SECTION.
v Following the header USE FOR DEBUGGING.
v Only in the outermost program; they are not valid in nested programs.
Debugging statements are also never triggered by procedures contained in
nested programs.

To use debugging statements in your program, you must include the WITH
DEBUGGING MODE clause and use the DEBUG run-time option. However, you cannot
use the USE FOR DEBUGGING declarative in a program that you compile with the
THREAD option.

The WITH DEBUGGING MODE clause and the TEST compiler option (with any suboption
value other than NONE) are mutually exclusive. If both are present, the WITH
DEBUGGING MODE clause takes precedence.

“Example: USE FOR DEBUGGING”

RELATED REFERENCES
Debugging line (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
Coding debugging sections (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
DEBUGGING declarative (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Example: USE FOR DEBUGGING

These program segments show what kind of statements are needed to use a
DISPLAY statement and a USE FOR DEBUGGING declarative to test a program. The
DISPLAY statement generates information on the terminal or in the output data set.
The USE FOR DEBUGGING declarative is used with a counter to show how many
times a routine runs.

340 Programming Guide

 In this example the DISPLAY statement in the DECLARATIVES SECTION issues this
message every time the procedure Some-Routine runs:
Trace For Procedure-Name : Some-Routine 22

The number at the end of the message, 22, is the value accumulated in the data
item Total; it shows the number of times Some-Routine has run. The statements in
the debugging declarative are performed before the named procedure runs.

You can also use the DISPLAY statement to trace program execution and show the
flow through the program. You do this by dropping Total from the DISPLAY
statement and changing the USE FOR DEBUGGING declarative in the DECLARATIVES
SECTION to:
USE FOR DEBUGGING ON ALL PROCEDURES.

Now a message is displayed before every nondebugging procedure in the

outermost program is run.

Debugging using compiler options

Use certain compiler options to generate information to help you find errors in
your program such as these:
v Syntax errors such as duplicate data names (NOCOMPILE)
v Missing sections (SEQUENCE)
v Invalid subscript values (SSRANGE)

In addition, you can use certain compiler options to help you find these elements
in your program:
v Error messages and where the errors occurred (FLAG)
v Program entity definitions and references (XREF)

Chapter 19. Debugging 341

 v Items you defined in the DATA DIVISION (MAP)
v Verb references (VBREF)
v Assembler-language expansion (LIST)

You can get a copy of your source (by using the SOURCE compiler option) or a
listing of generated code (by using the LIST compiler option).

There is also a compiler option (TEST) that you need to use to prepare your
program for debugging.

RELATED TASKS
“Selecting the level of error to be diagnosed” on page 344
“Finding coding errors”
“Finding line sequence problems” on page 343
“Checking for valid ranges” on page 343
“Finding program entity definitions and references” on page 345
“Listing data items” on page 346
“Getting listings” on page 347
“Preparing to use the debugger” on page 371

RELATED REFERENCES
“COMPILE” on page 294
“SEQUENCE” on page 318
“SSRANGE” on page 321
“FLAG” on page 302
“XREF” on page 330
“MAP” on page 307
“VBREF” on page 329
“LIST” on page 306
“TEST” on page 322

Finding coding errors

Use the NOCOMPILE compiler option for compiling conditionally or for checking
syntax only. When used with the SOURCE option, NOCOMPILE produces a listing that
will help you find your COBOL coding mistakes such as missing definitions,
improperly defined data items, and duplicate data-names.

If you are compiling in the TSO foreground, you can send the messages to your
screen by defining your data set as the SYSTERM data set and using the TERM
option when you compile your program.

Checking syntax only

Use NOCOMPILE without parameters to have the compiler only syntax-check the
source program and produce no object code. If you also specify the SOURCE option,
the compiler produces a listing after completing the syntax check.

The following compiler options are suppressed when you use NOCOMPILE without
parameters: DECK, OFFSET, LIST, OBJECT, OPTIMIZE, SSRANGE, and TEST.

Compiling conditionally
When you use NOCOMPILE(x), where x is one of the severity levels for errors, your
program is compiled if all the errors are of a lower severity than the x level. The
severity levels (from highest to lowest) that you can use are S (severe), E (error),
and W (warning).

342 Programming Guide

 If an error of x level or higher occurs, the compilation stops and your program is
syntax-checked only. You receive a source listing if you have specified the SOURCE
option.

RELATED REFERENCES
“COMPILE” on page 294

Finding line sequence problems

Use the SEQUENCE compiler option to find statements that are out of sequence.
Breaks in sequence indicate that a section of your source program was moved or
deleted.

When you use SEQUENCE, the compiler checks the source statement numbers you
have supplied to see whether they are in ascending sequence. Two asterisks are
placed beside statement numbers that are out of sequence. Also, the total number
of these statements is printed as the first line of the diagnostics after the source
listing.

RELATED REFERENCES
“SEQUENCE” on page 318

Checking for valid ranges

Use the SSRANGE compiler option to check the following ranges:
v Subscripted or indexed data references
Is the effective address of the desired element within the maximum boundary of
the specified table?
v Variable-length data references (a reference to a data item that contains an
OCCURS DEPENDING ON clause)
Is the actual length positive and within the maximum defined length for the
group data item?
v Reference-modified data references
Are the offset and length positive? Is the sum of the offset and length within the
maximum length for the data item?

When the SSRANGE option is specified, checking is performed at run time when
both of the following are true:
v The COBOL statement containing the indexed, subscripted, variable-length, or
reference-modified data item is performed.
v The CHECK run-time option is ON.

If a check finds that an address is generated outside the address range of the data
item that contains the referenced data, an error message is generated and the
program stops. The error message identifies the table or identifier that was
referenced and the line number where the error occurred. Additional information is
provided depending on the type of reference that caused the error.

If all subscripts, indices, or reference modifiers are literals in a given data reference
and they result in a reference outside the data item, the error is diagnosed at
compile time regardless of the setting of the SSRANGE compiler option.

Performance consideration: SSRANGE can degrade the performance of your

program somewhat because of the extra overhead to check each subscripted or
indexed item.

Chapter 19. Debugging 343

 RELATED REFERENCES
“SSRANGE” on page 321
“Performance-related compiler options” on page 563

Selecting the level of error to be diagnosed

Use the FLAG compiler option to select the level of error to be diagnosed during
compilation and to indicate whether syntax-error messages are embedded in the
listing. Use FLAG(I) or FLAG(I,I) to be notified of all errors in your program.

Specify as the first parameter the lowest severity level of the syntax-error messages
to be issued. Optionally, specify the second parameter as the lowest level of the
syntax-error messages to be embedded in the source listing. This severity level
must be the same or higher than the level for the first parameter. If you specify
both parameters, you must also specify the SOURCE compiler option.

Severity level What you get when you specify the corresponding level
U (unrecoverable) U messages only
S (severe) All S and U messages
E (error) All E, S, and U messages
W (warning) All W, E, S, and U messages
I (informational) All messages

When you specify the second parameter, each syntax-error message (except a
U-level message) is embedded in the source listing at the point where the compiler
had enough information to detect the error. All embedded messages (except those
issued by the library compiler phase) directly follow the statement to which they
refer. The number of the statement containing the error is also included with the
message. Embedded messages are repeated with the rest of the diagnostic
messages at the end of the source listing.

When you specify the NOSOURCE compiler option, the syntax-error messages are
included only at the end of the listing. Messages for unrecoverable errors are not
embedded in the source listing, because an error of this severity terminates the
compilation.

“Example: embedded messages”

RELATED TASKS
“Generating a list of compiler error messages” on page 265

RELATED REFERENCES
“FLAG” on page 302
“Messages and listings for compiler-detected errors” on page 266
“Severity codes for compiler error messages” on page 267

Example: embedded messages

The following example shows the embedded messages generated by specifying a
second parameter on the FLAG option. Some messages in the summary apply to
more than one COBOL statement.

344 Programming Guide

Finding program entity definitions and references
Use the XREF(FULL) compiler option to find out where a data-name,
procedure-name, or program-name is defined and referenced. The sorted
cross-reference includes the line number where the entity was defined and the line
numbers of all references to it.

To include only the explicitly referenced variables, use the XREF(SHORT) option.

Chapter 19. Debugging 345

 Use both the XREF (with FULL or SHORT) and the SOURCE options to get a modified
cross-reference printed to the right of the source listing. This embedded
cross-reference gives the line number where the data-name or procedure-name was
defined.

If your program contains DBCS user-defined words, these user-defined words are
listed before the alphabetic list of EBCDIC user-defined words.

If a DBCS ordering program is specified in the DBCSXREF installation option, the

DBCS user-defined words are listed in order according to the specified DBCS
collating sequence. Otherwise, the DBCS user-defined words are listed in physical
order according to their appearance in the source program.

Group names in a MOVE CORRESPONDING statement are listed in the XREF listing. The
cross-reference listing includes the group names and all the elementary names
involved in the move.

“Example: XREF output - data-name cross-references” on page 368

“Example: XREF output - program-name cross-references” on page 369
“Example: embedded cross-reference” on page 369

RELATED TASKS
“Getting listings” on page 347

RELATED REFERENCES
“XREF” on page 330

Listing data items

Use the MAP compiler option to produce a listing of the items you defined in the
DATA DIVISION, plus all items implicitly declared. Use the MAP output to locate the
contents of a data item in a system dump.

In addition, when you use the MAP option, an embedded MAP summary (which
contains condensed data MAP information) is generated to the right of the COBOL
source data declaration. When both XREF data and an embedded MAP summary are
on the same line, the embedded summary is printed first.

You can select or inhibit parts of the MAP listing and embedded MAP summary by
using *CONTROL MAP or *CONTROL NOMAP statements (*CBL MAP or *CBL NOMAP
statements) throughout the source. For example:
*CONTROL NOMAP *CBL NOMAP
01 A 01 A
02 B 02 B
*CONTROL MAP *CBL MAP

“Example: MAP output” on page 352

RELATED TASKS
“Getting listings” on page 347

RELATED REFERENCES
“MAP” on page 307

346 Programming Guide

Getting listings
Get the information that you need for debugging by requesting the appropriate
compiler listing with the use of compiler options.

Attention: The listings produced by the compiler are not a programming interface
and are subject to change.

Use Listing Contents Compiler option

To check diagnostic Short listing Diagnostic messages about NOSOURCE, NOXREF, NOVBREF,
messages about the the compile1 (page 348); list NOMAP, NOOFFSET, NOLIST
compilation, a list of the of options in effect for the
options in effect for the program; statistics about
program, and statistics the content of the program
about the content of the
program
To aid in testing and Source listing Copy of your source “SOURCE” on page 319
debugging your program;
to have a record after the
program has been
debugged
To find certain data items Map of DATA DIVISION All DATA DIVISION items “MAP” on page 3072
in a storage dump; to see items and all implicitly declared
the final storage allocation variables
after reentrancy or
Embedded map summary
optimization has been
(in the right margin of the
accounted for; to see where
listing for lines in the DATA
programs are defined and
DIVISION that contain data
check their attributes
declarations)
Nested program map (if the
program contains nested
programs)
To find where a name is Sorted cross-reference Data-names, “XREF” on page 3302 3

defined, referenced, or listing of names procedure-names, and (page 348)

modified; to determine the program-names; references
context (such as whether a to these names
verb was used in a PERFORM
Embedded modified
block) in which a procedure
cross-reference: provides
is referenced
the line number where the
data-name or
procedure-name was
defined
To find the failing verb in a PROCEDURE DIVISION code Generated code “LIST” on page 3062 4
(page
program or the address in and assembler code 348)
storage of a data item that produced by the compiler3
was moved during the (page 348)
program
To verify you still have a Condensed PROCEDURE Condensed verb listing, “OFFSET” on page 312
valid logic path after you DIVISION listing global tables,
move or add PROCEDURE WORKING-STORAGE
DIVISION sections information, and literals
To find an instance of a Alphabetic listing of verbs Each verb used, number of “VBREF” on page 329
certain verb times each verb was used,
line numbers where each
verb was used

Chapter 19. Debugging 347

Use Listing Contents Compiler option

1. To eliminate messages, turn off the options (such as FLAG) that govern the level of compile diagnostic
information.
2. To use your line numbers in the compiled program, use the NUMBER compiler option. The compiler checks the
sequence of your source statement line numbers in columns 1 through 6 as the statements are read in. When it
finds a line number out of sequence, the compiler assigns to it a number with a value one higher than the line
number of the preceding statement. The new value is flagged with two asterisks. A diagnostic message
indicating an out-of-sequence error is included in the compilation listing.
3. The context of the procedure reference is indicated by the characters preceding the line number.
4. You can control the selective listing of generated object code by placing *CONTROL LIST and *CONTROL NOLIST
statements (*CBL LIST and *CBL NOLIST) in your source. Note that the *CONTROL statement is different from the
PROCESS (or CBL) statement.
The output is generated if:
v You specify the COMPILE option (or the NOCOMPILE(x) option is in effect and an error level x or higher does not
occur).
v You do not specify the OFFSET option. OFFSET and LIST are mutually exclusive options with OFFSET taking
precedence.

“Example: short listing”

“Example: SOURCE and NUMBER output” on page 351
“Example: MAP output” on page 352
“Example: embedded map summary” on page 353
“Example: nested program map” on page 356
“Example: XREF output - data-name cross-references” on page 368
“Example: XREF output - program-name cross-references” on page 369
“Example: embedded cross-reference” on page 369
“Example: OFFSET compiler output” on page 370
“Example: VBREF compiler output” on page 371

RELATED TASKS
“Generating a list of compiler error messages” on page 265
“Reading LIST output” on page 356
Debugging COBOL programs (Language Environment Debugging Guide)

RELATED REFERENCES
“Messages and listings for compiler-detected errors” on page 266

Example: short listing

The numbers used in the explanation after the listing correspond to those
annotating the listing. For illustrative purposes, some errors that cause diagnostic
messages to be issued were deliberately introduced.

348 Programming Guide

Chapter 19. Debugging 349
 (1) COBOL default page header, including compiler-level information from the
LVLINFO installation-time compiler option.
(2) Message about options passed to the compiler at compiler invocation. This
message does not appear if no options were passed.
| LIST Produces an assembler-language expansion of the source code.

(3) Options coded in the PROCESS (or CBL) statement.

| TEST(NONE,SYM,SEPARATE)
| The program was compiled for use with Debug Tool or formatted
| dumps.
| OFFSET
| Produces a condensed listing of the PROCEDURE DIVISION.
| MAP Produces a map report of the items in the DATA DIVISION.

| (4) Deliberate option conflicts were forced by specifying the LIST option in the
| compiler input parameter list. LIST and OFFSET (specified in the CBL
| statement) are mutually exclusive. As a result, the LIST option is ignored.
(5) Status of options at the start of this compilation.
(6) Customized page header resulting from the COBOL program TITLE
statement.
(7) Program diagnostics. The first message refers you to any library phase
diagnostics. Diagnostics for the library phase are presented at the
beginning of the listing.
(8) Count of diagnostic messages in this program, grouped by severity level.
(9) Program statistics for the program IGYTCARA.
(10) Program statistics for the compilation unit. When you perform a batch
compilation, the return code is the highest message severity level for the
entire compilation.

350 Programming Guide

Example: SOURCE and NUMBER output
In the portion of the listing shown below, the programmer numbered two of the
statements out of sequence.

(1) Customized page header resulting from the COBOL program TITLE
statement
(2) Scale line, which labels Area A, Area B, and source code column numbers
(3) Source code line number assigned by the compiler
(4) Program (PL) and statement (SL) nesting level
(5) Columns 1 through 6 of program (the sequence number area)

Chapter 19. Debugging 351

 Example: MAP output
The following example shows output from the MAP option. The numbers used in
the explanation below correspond to the numbers annotating the output.

(1) Explanations of the data definition attribute codes.

(2) Source line number where the data item was defined.
(3) Level definition or number. The compiler generates this number in the
following way:
v First level of any hierarchy is always 01. Increase 1 for each level; any
item you coded as 02 through 49.
v Level numbers 66, 77, and 88, and the indicators FD and SD, are not
changed.
(4) Data-name that is used in the source module in source order.
(5) Base locator used for this data item.
(6) Hexadecimal displacement from the beginning of the base locator value.
(7) Hexadecimal displacement from the beginning of the containing structure.
(8) Pseudoassembler code showing how the data is defined. When a structure
contains variable-length fields, the maximum length of the structure is
shown.
(9) Data type and usage.
(10) Data definition attribute codes. The definitions are explained at the top of
the DATA DIVISION map.

352 Programming Guide

 (11) UNUSED-DATA-ITEM was not referenced in the PROCEDURE DIVISION. Because
OPTIMIZE(FULL) was specified, UNUSED-DATA-ITEM was deleted, resulting in
| the base locator being set to XXXXX.

RELATED REFERENCES
“Terms used in MAP output” on page 354
“Symbols used in LIST and MAP output” on page 354

Example: embedded map summary

The following example shows an embedded map summary from specifying the MAP
option. The summary appears in the right margin of the listing for lines in the DATA
DIVISION that contain data declarations.

(1) Base locator used for this data item

(2) Hexadecimal displacement from the beginning of the base locator value
(3) Hexadecimal displacement from the beginning of the containing structure
(4) Pseudoassembler code showing how the data is defined

Chapter 19. Debugging 353

 Terms used in MAP output
This table describes the terms used in the listings produced by the MAP option.

Term Definition Description

1
GROUP DS 0CLn Fixed-length group data item
ALPHABETIC DS nC Alphabetic data item (PICTURE A)
ALPHA-EDIT DS nC Alphabetic-edited data item
DISPLAY DS nC Alphanumeric data item (PICTURE X)
AN-EDIT DS nC Alphanumeric-edited data item
1
GRP-VARLEN DS 0LCn Variable-length group data item
NUM-EDIT DS nC Numeric-edited data item
DISP-NUM DS nC External decimal data item (USAGE DISPLAY)
BINARY 2 2 2
DS 1H , 1F , 2F , 2C, 4C, or Binary data item (USAGE BINARY or USAGE COMPUTATIONAL or
8C USAGE COMPUTATIONAL-5)
COMP-1 DS 4C Single-precision floating-point data item (USAGE
COMPUTATIONAL-1)
COMP-2 DS 8C Double-precision floating-point data item (USAGE
COMPUTATIONAL-2)
PACKED-DEC DS nP Internal decimal data item (USAGE PACKED-DECIMAL or USAGE
COMPUTATIONAL-3)
DBCS DS nC DBCS data item (USAGE DISPLAY-1)
DBCS-EDIT DS nC DBCS edited data item (USAGE DISPLAY-1)
INDX-NAME Index name
INDEX Index data item (USAGE INDEX)
NATIONAL DS nC National data item (USAGE NATIONAL)
OBJECT-REF Object-reference data item (USAGE OBJECT-REFERENCE)
POINTER Pointer data item (USAGE POINTER)
FD File definition
VSAM, QSAM, File processing method
LINESEQ
1-49, 77 Level numbers for data descriptions
66 Level number for RENAMES
88 Level number for condition-names
SD Sort file definition

1. n is the size in bytes for fixed-length groups and the maximum size in bytes for variable-length groups.
2. If the SYNCHRONIZED clause appears, these fields are used.

Symbols used in LIST and MAP output

This table describes the symbols used in the listings produced by the LIST or MAP
option.

Symbol Definition
APBdisp=n1 ALL subscript parameter block displacement
AVN=n1 Variable name cell for ALTER statement

354 Programming Guide

Symbol Definition
1
BL=n Base locator for special registers
1
BLA=n Base locator for alphanumeric temporaries4
BLF=n1 Base locator for files
BLK=n 1
Base locator for LOCAL-STORAGE
BLL=n 1
Base locator for LINKAGE SECTION
1
BLM=n Base locator for factory data
1
BLO=n Base locator for object instance data
1
BLS=n Base locator for sort items
BLT=n 1
Base locator for XML-TEXT and XML-NTEXT
1
BLV=n Base locator for variably located data
BLW=n 1
Base locator for WORKING-STORAGE
1
BLX=n Base locator for external data
1
CBL=n Base locator for constant global table (CGT)
CLLE=@=n 1
Load list entry address in TGT
1
CLO=n Class object cell
DOV=n 1
DSA overflow cell
1
EVALUATE=n Evaluate boolean cell
1
FCB=n File control block (FCB) address
2.
GN=n(hhhhh) Generated procedure name and its offset in hexadecimal
1
IDX=n Base locator for index names
1
IDX=n Index cell number
ILS=n 1
Index cell for LOCAL-STORAGE table or instance variable
ODOSAVE=n 1
ODO save cell number
3
OPT=nnnn Optimizer temporary storage cell
1
PBL=n Base locator for procedure code
PFM=n 1
PERFORM n times cells
3
PGMLIT AT + nnnn Displacement for program literal from beginning of literal pool
1
PSV=n Perform save cell number
PVN=n 1
Variable name cell for PERFORM statement
1
RBKST=n Register backstore cell
1
SFCB=n Secondary file control block for external file
3
SYSLIT AT + nnnn Displacement for system literal from beginning of system literal pool
TGT FDMP TEST INFO. AREA + FDUMP/TEST information area
nnnn3
TGTFIXD + nnnn3 Offset from beginning of fixed portion of task global table (TGT)
1
TOV=n TGT overflow cell number
TS1=aaaa Temporary storage cell number in subpool 1
TS2=aaaa Temporary storage cell number in subpool 2
TS3=aaaa Temporary storage cell number in subpool 3
TS4=aaaa Temporary storage cell number in subpool 4
V(routine name) Assembler VCON for external routine

Chapter 19. Debugging 355

 Symbol Definition
1
VLC=n Variable length name cell number (ODO)
1
VNI=n Variable name initialization
1
WHEN=n Evaluate WHEN cell number

| 1. n is the number of the entry. For base locators, it can also be XXXXX, indicating a data item that was deleted by
OPTIMIZE(FULL) processing.
2. (hhhhh) is the program offset in hexadecimal.
3. nnnn is the offset in decimal from the beginning of the entry.
4. Alphanumeric temporaries are temporary data values used in processing alphanumeric intrinsic function and
alphanumeric EVALUATE statement subjects.

Example: nested program map

This example shows a map of nested procedures produced by specifying the MAP
compiler option.

(1) Explanations of the program attribute codes

(2) Source line number where the program was defined
(3) Depth of program nesting
(4) Program name
(5) Program attribute codes

Reading LIST output

Parts of the LIST compiler output might be useful to you for debugging your
program. You do not need to be able to program in assembler language to
understand the output produced by LIST. The comments that accompany most of
the assembler code provide you with a conceptual understanding of the functions
performed by the code.

The LIST compiler option produces seven pieces of output:

v An assembler listing of the initialization code for the program (program
signature information bytes) from which you can verify program characteristics
such as these:
– Compiler options in effect
– Types of data items present
– Verbs used in the PROCEDURE DIVISION
v An assembler listing of the source code for the program

356 Programming Guide

 From the address in storage of the instruction that was executing when an abend
occurred, you can find the COBOL verb corresponding to that instruction. After
you have found the address of the failing instruction, go to the assembler listing
and find the verb for which that instruction was generated.
v Location of compiler-generated tables in the object module
v Map of the task global table (TGT), including information about the program
global table (PGT) and constant global table (CGT)
Use the TGT to find information about the environment in which your program
is running.
v Information about the location and size of WORKING-STORAGE and control blocks
You can use the WORKING-STORAGE piece of LIST output to find the location of
data items defined in WORKING-STORAGE. (The beginning location of
WORKING-STORAGE is not shown for programs compiled with the RENT option.)
v Map of the dynamic save area (DSA)
The map of the DSA (also known as the stack frame) contains information about
the contents of the storage acquired every time a separately compiled procedure
is entered.
v Information about the location of literals and code for dynamic storage usage

“Example: program initialization code”

“Example: assembler code generated from source code” on page 365
“Example: TGT memory map” on page 366
“Example: location and size of WORKING-STORAGE” on page 367
“Example: DSA memory map” on page 367

RELATED TASKS
Interpret a particular instruction (Principles of Operation)

RELATED REFERENCE
Stack storage overview (Language Environment Programming Guide)

Example: program initialization code

A listing of the program initialization code gives you information about the
characteristics of the COBOL source program. Interpret the program signature
information bytes to verify characteristics of your program.

Chapter 19. Debugging 357

 (1) Offset from the start of the COBOL program.
(2) Hexadecimal representation of assembler instructions.

358 Programming Guide

(3) Pseudoassembler code generated for the COBOL program.
(4) Comments explaining the assembler code.
(5) Eye-catcher indicating that the COBOL compiler is Language
Environment-enabled.
(6) Address of the task global table (TGT), or the address of the dynamic
access block (DAB), if the program is reentrant.
(7) Four-digit year when the program was compiled.
(8) Month and the day when the program was compiled.
(9) Time when the program was compiled.
(10) Version, release, and modification level of the COBOL compiler used to
compile this program (each represented in two digits).
(11) Code page CCSID value (from CODEPAGE compiler option).
(12) Program signature information bytes. These provide information about the
following for this program:
v Compiler options
v DATA DIVISION
v ENVIRONMENT DIVISION
v PROCEDURE DIVISION
(13) Number of statements in the DATA DIVISION.
(14) Number of statements in the PROCEDURE DIVISION.
(15) Four-byte user-controlled level information field. The value of this field is
controlled by the LVLINFO.
(16) Program name as used in the IDENTIFICATION DIVISION of the program.

RELATED REFERENCES
“Signature information bytes: compiler options”
“Signature information bytes: DATA DIVISION” on page 361
“Signature information bytes: ENVIRONMENT DIVISION” on page 361
“Signature information bytes: PROCEDURE DIVISION verbs” on page 362
“Signature information bytes: more PROCEDURE DIVISION items” on page 363

Signature information bytes: compiler options

This table shows program signature information that is part of the listing of
program initialization code provided when you use the LIST compiler option.

Byte Bit On Off

1 0 ADV NOADV
1 APOST QUOTE
2 DATA(31) DATA(24)
3 DECK NODECK
4 DUMP NODUMP
5 DYNAM NODYNAM
6 FASTSRT NOFASTSRT
7 Reserved

Chapter 19. Debugging 359

 Byte Bit On Off
2 0 LIB NOLIB
1 LIST NOLIST
2 MAP NOMAP
3 NUM NONUM
4 OBJ NOOBJ
5 OFFSET NOOFFSET
6 OPTIMIZE NOOPTIMIZE
7 ddname supplied in OUTDD option OUTDD(SYSOUT) is in effect.
will be used
3 0 NUMPROC(PFD) NUMPROC(NOPFD)
1 RENT NORENT
2 Reserved
3 SEQUENCE NOSEQUENCE
4 SIZE(MAX) SIZE(value)
5 SOURCE NOSOURCE
6 SSRANGE NOSSRANGE
7 TERM NOTERM
4 0 TEST NOTEST
1 TRUNC(STD) TRUNC(OPT)
2 WORD option was specified. NOWORD
3 VBREF NOVBREF
4 XREF NOXREF
5 ZWB NOZWB
6 NAME NONAME
5 0 NUMPROC(MIG)
1 NUMCLS(ALT) NUMCLS(PRIM)
2 DBCS NODBCS
3 AWO NOAWO
4 TRUNC(BIN) Not TRUNC(BIN)
6 CURRENCY NOCURRENCY
7 Compilation unit is a class. Compilation unit is a program.
26 0 RMODE(ANY) RMODE(24)
1 TEST(STMT) Not TEST(STMT)
2 TEST(PATH) Not TEST(PATH)
3 TEST(BLOCK) Not TEST(BLOCK)
4 OPT(FULL) OPT(STD) or NOOPT
5 INTDATE(LILIAN) INTDATE(ANSI)
6 TEST(SEPARATE) Not TEST(SEPARATE)

360 Programming Guide

Byte Bit On Off
27 0 PGMNAME(LONGUPPER) Not PGMNAME(LONGUPPER)
1 PGMNAME(LONGMIXED) Not PGMNAME(LONGMIXED)
2 DLL NODLL
3 EXPORTALL NOEXPORTALL
4 DATEPROC NODATEPROC
5 ARITH(EXTEND) ARITH(COMPAT)
6 THREAD NOTHREAD

Signature information bytes: DATA DIVISION

This table shows program signature information that is part of the listing of
program initialization code provided when you use the LIST compiler option.

Byte Bit Item

6 0 QSAM file descriptor
1 VSAM sequential file descriptor
2 VSAM indexed file descriptor
3 VSAM relative file descriptor
4 CODE-SET clause (ASCII files) in file descriptor
5 Spanned records
6 PIC G or PIC N (DBCS data item)
7 OCCURS DEPENDING ON clause in data description entry
7 0 SYNCHRONIZED clause in data description entry
1 JUSTIFIED clause in data description entry
2 USAGE IS POINTER item
3 Complex OCCURS DEPENDING ON clause
4 External floating-point items in the DATA DIVISION
5 Internal floating-point items in the DATA DIVISION
6 Line-sequential file
7 USAGE IS PROCEDURE-POINTER or FUNCTION-POINTER item

RELATED REFERENCES
“LIST” on page 306

Signature information bytes: ENVIRONMENT DIVISION

This table shows program signature information that is part of the listing of
program initialization code provided when you use the LIST compiler option.

Byte Bit Item

8 0 FILE STATUS clause in FILE-CONTROL paragraph
1 RERUN clause in I-O-CONTROL paragraph of INPUT-OUTPUT
SECTION
2 UPSI switch defined in SPECIAL-NAMES paragraph

Chapter 19. Debugging 361

 Signature information bytes: PROCEDURE DIVISION verbs
This table shows program signature information that is part of the listing of
program initialization code provided when you use the LIST compiler option.

Byte Bit Item

9 0 ACCEPT
1 ADD
2 ALTER
3 CALL
4 CANCEL
6 CLOSE
10 0 COMPUTE
2 DELETE
4 DISPLAY
5 DIVIDE
11 1 END-PERFORM
2 ENTER
3 ENTRY
4 EXIT
5 EXEC
6 GO TO
7 IF
12 0 INITIALIZE
1 INVOKE
2 INSPECT
3 MERGE
4 MOVE
5 MULTIPLY
6 OPEN
7 PERFORM
13 0 READ
2 RELEASE
3 RETURN
4 REWRITE
5 SEARCH
7 SET
14 0 SORT
1 START
2 STOP
3 STRING
4 SUBTRACT
7 UNSTRING

362 Programming Guide

Byte Bit Item
15 0 USE
1 WRITE
2 CONTINUE
3 END-ADD
4 END-CALL
5 END-COMPUTE
6 END-DELETE
7 END-DIVIDE
16 0 END-EVALUATE
1 END-IF
2 END-MULTIPLY
3 END-READ
4 END-RETURN
5 END-REWRITE
6 END-SEARCH
7 END-START
17 0 END-STRING
1 END-SUBTRACT
2 END-UNSTRING
3 END-WRITE
4 GOBACK
5 EVALUATE
7 SERVICE
18 0 END-INVOKE
1 END-EXEC
2 XML
3 END-XML

Check return code: A return code greater than 4 from the compiler could mean
that some of the verbs shown as being in the program in information bytes might
have been discarded because of an error.

Signature information bytes: more PROCEDURE DIVISION items

This table shows program signature information that is part of the listing of
program initialization code provided when you use the LIST compiler option.

Chapter 19. Debugging 363

 Byte Bit Item
21 0 Hexadecimal literal
1 Altered GO TO
2 I-O ERROR declarative
3 LABEL declarative
4 DEBUGGING declarative
5 Program segmentation
6 OPEN . . . EXTEND
7 EXIT PROGRAM
22 0 CALL literal
1 CALL identifier
2 CALL . . . ON OVERFLOW
3 CALL . . . LENGTH OF
4 CALL . . . ADDRESS OF
5 CLOSE . . . REEL/UNIT
6 Exponentiation used
7 Floating-point items used
23 0 COPY
1 BASIS
2 DBCS name in program
3 Shift-out and Shift-in in program
4-7 Highest error severity at entry to ASM2 module IGYBINIT
24 0 DBCS literal
1 REPLACE
2 Reference modification was used.
3 Nested program
4 INITIAL
5 COMMON
6 SELECT . . . OPTIONAL
7 EXTERNAL
25 0 GLOBAL
1 RECORD IS VARYING
2 ACCEPT FROM SYSIPT used in LABEL declarative
3 DISPLAY UPON SYSLST used in LABEL declarative
4 DISPLAY UPON SYSPCH used in LABEL declarative
5 Intrinsic function was used
29 0 Java-based OO syntax in program
1 FUNCTION RANDOM used in program
2 NATIONAL data used in program

RELATED REFERENCES
“LIST” on page 306

364 Programming Guide

Example: assembler code generated from source code
The following example shows a listing of the assembler code that is generated
from source code when you use the LIST compiler option. You can use this listing
to find the COBOL verb corresponding to the instruction that failed.
DATA VALIDATION AND UPDATE PROGRAM IGYTCARA Date 08/21/2002 Time 10:48:16
000433 MOVE
000435 READ
000436 SET (1)

(2) (3) (5) (6)

000F26 92E8 A00A MVI 10(10),X’E8’ LOCATION-EOF-FLAG
000F2A GN=13 EQU *
000F2A 47F0 B426 BC 15,1062(0,11) GN=75(000EFA)
000F2E GN=74 EQU *
000439 IF
000F2E 95E8 A00A CLI 10(10),X’E8’ LOCATION-EOF-FLAG
000F32 4780 B490 BC 8,1168(0,11) GN=14(000F64)
000440 DISPLAY
000F36 5820 D05C L 2,92(0,13) TGTFIXD+92
000F3A 58F0 202C L 15,44(0,2) V(IGZCDSP )
000F3E 4110 97FF LA 1,2047(0,9) PGMLIT AT +1999
000F42 05EF BALR 14,15
000443 CALL
000F44 4130 A012 LA 3,18(0,10) COMP-CODE
000F48 5030 D21C ST 3,540(0,13) TS2=4
000F4C 9680 D21C OI 540(13),X’80’ TS2=4
000F50 4110 D21C LA 1,540(0,13) TS2=4
000F54 58F0 9000 L 15,0(0,9) V(ILBOABN0)
000F58 05EF BALR 14,15
000F5A 50F0 D078 ST 15,120(0,13) TGTFIXD+120
000F5E BF38 D089 ICM 3,8,137(13) TGTFIXD+137
000F62 0430 SPM 3,0
000F64 (4) GN=14 EQU *
000F64 5820 D154 L 2,340(0,13) VN=3
000F68 07F2 BCR 15,2
(1) Source line number and COBOL verb, paragraph name, or section name
In line 000436, SET is the COBOL verb. An asterisk (*) before a name
indicates that the name is a paragraph name or a section name.
(2) Relative location of the object code instruction in the module, in
hexadecimal notation
(3) Object code instruction, in hexadecimal notation
The first two or four hexadecimal digits are the instruction, and the
remaining digits are the instruction operands. Some instructions have two
operands.
(4) Compiler-generated names (GN) for code sequences
(5) Object code instruction in a form that closely resembles assembler
language
(6) Comments about the object code instruction:
v One or two operands participating in the machine instructions are
displayed on the right. An asterisk immediately follows the data-names
that are defined in more than one structure (in that way made unique by
qualification in the source program).
v The relative location of any generated label appearing as an operand is
displayed in parentheses.

Chapter 19. Debugging 365

 RELATED REFERENCES
“Symbols used in LIST and MAP output” on page 354

Example: TGT memory map

The following example shows LIST output for the task global table (TGT) with
information about the environment in which your program runs.
DATA VALIDATION AND UPDATE PROGRAM IGYTCARA Date 08/21/2002 Time 10:48:16
*** TGT MEMORY MAP ***
(1) (2) (3)
PGMLOC TGTLOC

005160 000000 RESERVED - 72 BYTES

0051A8 000048 TGT IDENTIFIER
0051AC 00004C RESERVED - 4 BYTES
0051B0 000050 TGT LEVEL INDICATOR
0051B1 000051 RESERVED - 3 SINGLE BYTE FIELDS
0051B4 000054 32 BIT SWITCH
0051B8 000058 POINTER TO RUNCOM
0051BC 00005C POINTER TO COBVEC
0051C0 000060 POINTER TO PROGRAM DYNAMIC BLOCK TABLE
0051C4 000064 NUMBER OF FCB’S
0051C8 000068 WORKING-STORAGE LENGTH
0051CC 00006C RESERVED - 4 BYTES
0051D0 000070 ADDRESS OF IGZESMG WORK AREA
0051D4 000074 ADDRESS OF 1ST GETMAIN BLOCK (SPACE MGR)
0051D8 000078 RESERVED - 2 BYTES
0051DA 00007A RESERVED - 2 BYTES
0051DC 00007C RESERVED - 2 BYTES
0051DE 00007E MERGE FILE NUMBER
0051E0 000080 ADDRESS OF CEL COMMON ANCHOR AREA
0051E4 000084 LENGTH OF TGT
0051E8 000088 RESERVED - 1 SINGLE BYTE FIELD
0051E9 000089 PROGRAM MASK USED BY THIS PROGRAM
0051EA 00008A RESERVED - 2 SINGLE BYTE FIELDS
0051EC 00008C NUMBER OF SECONDARY FCB CELLS
0051F0 000090 LENGTH OF THE ALTER VN(VNI) VECTOR
0051F4 000094 COUNT OF NESTED PROGRAMS IN COMPILE UNIT
0051F8 000098 DDNAME FOR DISPLAY OUTPUT
005200 0000A0 RESERVED - 8 BYTES
005208 0000A8 POINTER TO COM-REG SPECIAL REGISTER
00520C 0000AC CALC ROUTINE REGISTER SAVE AREA
005240 0000E0 ALTERNATE COLLATING SEQUENCE TABLE PTR.
005244 0000E4 ADDRESS OF SORT G.N. ADDRESS BLOCK
005248 0000E8 ADDRESS OF PGT
00524C 0000EC CURRENT INTERNAL PROGRAM NUMBER
005250 0000F0 POINTER TO 1ST IPCB
005254 0000F4 ADDRESS OF THE CLLE FOR THIS PROGRAM
005258 0000F8 POINTER TO ABEND INFORMATION TABLE
00525C 0000FC POINTER TO TEST INFO FIELDS IN THE TGT
005260 000100 ADDRESS OF START OF COBOL PROGRAM
005264 000104 POINTER TO ALTER VNI’S IN CGT
005268 000108 POINTER TO ALTER VN’S IN TGT
00526C 00010C POINTER TO FIRST PBL IN THE PGT
005270 000110 POINTER TO FIRST FCB CELL
005274 000114 WORKING-STORAGE ADDRESS
005278 000118 POINTER TO FIRST SECONDARY FCB CELL
00527C 00011C POINTER TO STATIC CLASS INFO BLOCK

*** VARIABLE PORTION OF TGT ***

005280 000120 BASE LOCATORS FOR SPECIAL REGISTERS

005288 000128 BASE LOCATORS FOR WORKING-STORAGE (4)
005290 000130 BASE LOCATORS FOR LINKAGE-SECTION
005294 000134 BASE LOCATORS FOR FILES
0052A8 000148 BASE LOCATORS FOR ALPHANUMERIC TEMPS
0052AC 00014C CLLE ADDR. CELLS FOR CALL LIT. SUB-PGMS.

366 Programming Guide

 0052C8 000168 INDEX CELLS
0052EC 00018C FCB CELLS
005300 0001A0 ALL PARAMETER BLOCK
005364 000204 INTERNAL PROGRAM CONTROL BLOCKS
(1) Hexadecimal offset of the TGT field from the start of the COBOL program
(not shown for programs compiled with the RENT option)
(2) Hexadecimal offset of the TGT field from the start of the TGT
(3) Explanation of the contents of the TGT field
(4) TGT fields for the base locators of COBOL data areas

Example: location and size of WORKING-STORAGE

The following example shows LIST output about the WORKING-STORAGE for a NORENT
program.
(1) (2) (3)

WRK-STOR LOCATED AT 0066D8 FOR 00001598 BYTES

(1) WORKING-STORAGE identification
(2) Hexadecimal offset of WORKING-STORAGE from the start of the COBOL
program
(3) Length of WORKING-STORAGE in hexadecimal

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Storage and its addressability” on page 33

Example: DSA memory map

The following example shows LIST output for the dynamic save area (DSA), which
contains information about the contents of the storage acquired when a separately
compiled procedure is entered.

DATA VALIDATION AND UPDATE PROGRAM IGYTCARA Date 08/21/2002 Time 10:48:16
*** DSA MEMORY MAP ***
(1) (2)
DSALOC

000000 REGISTER SAVE AREA

00004C STACK NAB (NEXT AVAILABLE BYTE)
00005C ADDRESS OF TGT
000058 ADDRESS OF INLINE-CODE PRIMARY DSA
000080 PROCEDURE DIVISION RETURNING VALUE

*** VARIABLE PORTION OF DSA ***

000084 BACKSTORE CELLS FOR SYMBOLIC REGISTERS
00009C VARIABLE-LENGTH CELLS
0000A8 ODO SAVE CELLS
0000B4 VARIABLE NAME (VN) CELLS FOR PERFORM
000124 PERFORM SAVE CELLS
000250 TEMPORARY STORAGE-1
000260 TEMPORARY STORAGE-2
000430 OPTIMIZER TEMPORARY STORAGE

(1) Hexadecimal offset of the dynamic save area (DSA) field from the start of
the DSA
(2) Explanation of the contents of the DSA field

Chapter 19. Debugging 367

 Example: XREF output - data-name cross-references
The following example shows a sorted cross-reference of data-names, produced by
the XREF compiler option.

Cross-reference of data-names:
(1) Line number where the name was defined.
(2) Data-name.
(3) Line numbers where the name was used. If M precedes the line number, the
data item was explicitly modified at the location.

Cross-reference of procedure references:

(4) Explanations of the context usage codes for procedure references
(5) Line number where the procedure-name is defined
(6) Procedure-name
(7) Line numbers where the procedure is referenced and the context usage
code for the procedure

368 Programming Guide

Example: XREF output - program-name cross-references
The following example shows a sorted cross-reference of program-names,
produced by the XREF compiler option.

(1) Line number where the program name was defined. If the program is
external, the word EXTERNAL is displayed instead of a definition line
number.
(2) Program name.
(3) Line numbers where the program is referenced.

Example: embedded cross-reference

The following example shows a modified cross-reference embedded in the source
listing, produced by the XREF compiler option.

(1) Line number of the definition of the data-name or procedure-name in the

program
(2) Special definition symbols:
UND The user name is undefined.
DUP The user name is defined more than once.

Chapter 19. Debugging 369

 IMP Implicitly defined name, such as special registers and figurative
constants.
IFN Intrinsic function reference.
EXT External reference.
* The program name is unresolved because the NOCOMPILE option is
in effect.

Example: OFFSET compiler output

The following example shows a listing that has a condensed verb listing, global
tables, WORKING-STORAGE information, and literals. It is output from the OFFSET
compiler option.

DATA VALIDATION AND UPDATE PROGRAM IGYTCARA Date 08/21/2002 Time 10:48:16
. . .
(1) (2) (3)
LINE # HEXLOC VERB LINE # HEXLOC VERB LINE # HEXLOC VERB
000880 0026F0 DISPLAY 000881 002702 PERFORM 000933 002702 OPEN
000934 002722 IF 000935 00272C DISPLAY 000936 002736 PERFORM
001389 002736 DISPLAY 001390 002740 DISPLAY 001391 00274A DISPLAY
001392 002754 DISPLAY 001393 00275E DISPLAY 001394 002768 DISPLAY
001395 002772 DISPLAY 000937 00277C PERFORM 001434 00277C DISPLAY
001435 002786 STOP 000939 0027A2 MOVE 000940 0027AC WRITE
000941 0027D6 IF 000942 0027E0 DISPLAY 000943 0027EA PERFORM
001389 0027EA DISPLAY 001390 0027F4 DISPLAY 001391 0027FE DISPLAY
001392 002808 DISPLAY 001393 002812 DISPLAY 001394 00281C DISPLAY
001395 002826 DISPLAY 000944 002830 DISPLAY 000945 00283A PERFORM
001403 00283A DISPLAY 001404 002844 DISPLAY 001405 00284E DISPLAY
001406 002858 DISPLAY 001407 002862 CALL 000947 002888 CLOSE

(1) Line number. Your line numbers or compiler-generated line numbers are
listed.
(2) Offset, from the start of the program, of the code generated for this verb
(in hexadecimal notation).
The verbs are listed in the order in which they occur and once for each
time they are used.
(3) Verb used.

RELATED REFERENCES
“OFFSET” on page 312

370 Programming Guide

 Example: VBREF compiler output
The following example shows an alphabetic listing of all the verbs in your
program and where each is referenced. The listing is produced by the VBREF
compiler option.

(1) Number of times the verb is used in the program

(2) Verb
(3) Line numbers where the verb is used

Preparing to use the debugger

Use the TEST option to prepare your executable COBOL program for use with the
debugger.

The Debug Tool debugger is provided with the Full Function feature of the
Enterprise COBOL compiler. To use Debug Tool to step through a run of your
program, use the TEST compiler option. For remote debugging, the Distributed
Debugger provides the client graphical user interface to the debug information
provided by the Debug Tool engine running under z/OS or UNIX.

| You can specify the TEST suboption SEPARATE to have the symbolic information
| tables for Debug Tool generated in a data set separate from your object module.
| Also, you can enable your COBOL program for debugging using overlay hooks
| (production debugging), rather than compiled-in hooks, which have some
| performance degradation even when the run-time TEST option is off. To use this
| function, compile with TEST(NONE,SYM).

| Specify the NOOPTIMIZE option to get the most debugging function.

| Specify the OPTIMIZE(STD) or OPTIMIZE(FULL) option for a more efficient program,

| but with some restrictions on debugging:

Chapter 19. Debugging 371

| v The GOTO Debug Tool command is not supported.
| v The COMPUTE, MOVE, and SET Debug Tool commands can set only Debug Tool
| session variables, not any data items that are declared in your optimized
| program.
| v Except for the DESCRIBE ATTRIBUTES command, Debug Tool commands cannot
| refer to any data item that was discarded from your program by the
| OPTIMIZE(FULL) option.

RELATED TASKS
Preparing your program for debugging (Debug Tool User’s Guide)

RELATED REFERENCES
“TEST” on page 322

372 Programming Guide

Part 3. Targeting COBOL programs for certain environments
Chapter 20. Developing COBOL programs for Environment variables of interest for COBOL
CICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375 programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399
Coding COBOL programs to run under CICS . . 375 Resetting environment variables . . . . . . 399
Coding file input and output . . . . . . . 376 Accessing environment variables . . . . . . 399
Retrieving the system date and time. . . . . 376 Example: accessing environment variables . . . 400
Displaying the contents of data items . . . . 377 Calling UNIX/POSIX APIs . . . . . . . . . 400
Calling to or from COBOL programs . . . . 377 fork(), exec(), and spawn() . . . . . . . . 400
Coding nested programs . . . . . . . . 377 Samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401
Coding a COBOL program to run above the Accessing main program parameters . . . . . 402
16-MB line . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378 Example: accessing main program parameters 402
Determining the success of ECI calls. . . . . 378
Compiling with the CICS option . . . . . . . 378
Compiling a sequence of programs . . . . . 379
Separating CICS suboptions . . . . . . . 379
Integrated CICS translator . . . . . . . . 380
Using the separate CICS translator . . . . . . 381
CICS reserved-word table . . . . . . . . . 382
Handling errors by using CICS HANDLE . . . . 383
Example: handling errors by using CICS
HANDLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383

Chapter 21. Programming for a DB2

environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
Coding SQL statements . . . . . . . . . . 385
Using SQL INCLUDE with the DB2 coprocessor 385
Using character data . . . . . . . . . . 385
Using binary items . . . . . . . . . . 386
Determining the success of SQL statements . . 387
Compiling with the SQL option . . . . . . . 387
Compiling in batch . . . . . . . . . . 388
Separating DB2 suboptions . . . . . . . . 388
DB2 coprocessor . . . . . . . . . . . 388

Chapter 22. Developing COBOL programs for

IMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391
Compiling and linking COBOL programs for
running under IMS . . . . . . . . . . . 391
Using object-oriented COBOL and Java under IMS 392
Calling a COBOL method from an IMS Java
application . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392
Building a mixed COBOL and Java application
that starts with COBOL . . . . . . . . . 393
Writing mixed-language applications . . . . 394
Using the COBOL STOP RUN statement . . . 394
Processing messages and synchronizing
transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . 394
Accessing databases . . . . . . . . . 394
Using the application interface block . . . 395

Chapter 23. Running COBOL programs under

UNIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397
Running in UNIX environments . . . . . . . 397
Setting and accessing environment variables . . . 398
Setting environment variables that affect
execution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 373

374 Programming Guide
Chapter 20. Developing COBOL programs for CICS
COBOL programs that are written for CICS can run under CICS Transaction Server.
CICS COBOL application programs that use CICS services must use the CICS
command-level interface.

When you use the CICS compiler option, the Enterprise COBOL compiler handles
both native COBOL and embedded CICS statements in the source program.
Compilers before COBOL for OS/390 & VM Version 2 Release 2 require a separate
translation step to convert EXEC CICS commands to COBOL code. You can still
translate embedded CICS statements separately, but use of the integrated CICS
translator is recommended.

To use the integrated CICS translator, CICS Transaction Server Version 2 is

required.

After you compile and link-edit your program, you need to do some other steps
such as updating CICS tables before you can run the COBOL program under CICS.
However, these CICS topics are beyond the scope of this COBOL information. See
the related references for further information about CICS.

You can determine how run-time errors are handled by setting the CBLPSHPOP
run-time option. See the related tasks for information about CICS HANDLE and
CBLPSHPOP.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Integrated CICS translator” on page 380

RELATED TASKS
“Coding COBOL programs to run under CICS”
“Compiling with the CICS option” on page 378
“Using the separate CICS translator” on page 381
“Handling errors by using CICS HANDLE” on page 383
Using the CBLPSHPOP run-time option under CICS (Language Environment
Programming Guide)

RELATED REFERENCES
“CICS” on page 293
CICS Application Programming Guide

Coding COBOL programs to run under CICS

To code your program, you need to know how to code CICS commands in the
PROCEDURE DIVISION. They have the following basic format:
EXEC CICS command name and command options
END-EXEC

Within EXEC commands, use the space as a word separator; do not use a comma or
a semicolon.

When you code your programs to run under CICS, do not use the following code:

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 375

 v FILE-CONTROL entry in the ENVIRONMENT DIVISION, unless the FILE-CONTROL entry
is being used for a SORT statement
v FILE SECTION of the DATA DIVISION, unless the FILE SECTION is being used for a
SORT statement
v User-specified parameters to the main program
v USE declaratives (except USE FOR DEBUGGING)
v These COBOL language statements:

ACCEPT format 1: data transfer (you can use format-2 ACCEPT to retrieve the
system date and time)
CLOSE
DELETE
DISPLAY UPON SYSPUNCH
DISPLAY UPON CONSOLE
MERGE
OPEN
READ
RERUN
REWRITE
START
STOP literal
WRITE

If you plan to use the separate CICS translator, you must put any REPLACE
statements that contain EXEC commands after the PROCEDURE DIVISION statement for
the program, or they will not be translated.

Coding file input and output

You must use CICS commands for most input and output processing. Therefore,
do not describe files or code any OPEN, CLOSE, READ, START, REWRITE, WRITE, or
DELETE statements. Instead, use CICS commands to retrieve, update, insert, and
delete data.

Retrieving the system date and time

You cannot use a format-1 ACCEPT statement in a CICS program.

You can use these format-2 ACCEPT statements in the CICS environment to get the
system date:
v ACCEPT identifier-2 FROM DATE
v ACCEPT identifier-2 FROM DATE YYYYMMDD
v ACCEPT identifier-2 FROM DAY
v ACCEPT identifier-2 FROM DAY YYYYDDD
v ACCEPT identifier-2 FROM DAY-OF-WEEK

You can use this format-2 ACCEPT statement in the CICS environment to get the
system time:
v ACCEPT identifier-2 FROM TIME

The recommended way to retrieve system date and time information is to use the
ACCEPT statement, because it works in all environments (CICS and non-CICS).

376 Programming Guide

Displaying the contents of data items
DISPLAY to the system logical output device (SYSOUT, SYSLIST, SYSLST) is
supported under CICS. The DISPLAY output is written to the Language
Environment message file (transient data queue CESE).

DISPLAY . . . UPON CONSOLE and DISPLAY . . . UPON SYSPUNCH, however, are not
allowed.

Calling to or from COBOL programs

You can make calls to or from VS COBOL II, COBOL for MVS & VM, COBOL for
OS/390 & VM, and Enterprise COBOL programs using the CALL statement.
However, these programs cannot call or be called by OS/VS COBOL programs
with the CALL statement. You must use EXEC CICS LINK instead. If you are calling a
separately compiled COBOL program that was processed with either the separate
CICS translator or the integrated CICS translator, you must pass DFHEIBLK and
DFHCOMMAREA as the first two parameters in the CALL statement.

You can use CALL identifier with the NODYNAM compiler option to dynamically call a
program. Called programs can contain any function supported by CICS for the
language. You must define dynamically called programs in the CICS program
processing table (PPT) if you are not using CICS autoinstall.

Support for interlanguage communication (ILC) with other high-level languages is

available. Where ILC is not supported, you can use CICS LINK, XCTL, and RETURN
instead.

The following table shows the calling relationship between COBOL and assembler
programs. In the table, assembler programs that conform to the interface described
in the Language Environment Programming Guide are called Language
Environment-conforming assembler programs. Those that do not conform to the
interface are non-Language Environment-conforming assembler programs.

Language Non-Language
Calls between COBOL and Environment-conforming Environment-conforming
assembler programs assembler program assembler program
From an Enterprise COBOL Yes Yes
program to the assembler
program?
From the assembler program Yes, if the assembler program No
to an Enterprise COBOL is not a main program
program?

Coding nested programs

When you compile with the integrated CICS translator, the DFHEIBLK and
DFHCOMMAREA control blocks are generated by the translator with the GLOBAL clause
in the outermost program. Therefore when you code nested programs, you do not
have to pass these control blocks as arguments on calls to the nested programs.

When you code nested programs and you plan to use the separate CICS translator,
pass DFHEIBLK and DFHCOMMAREA as parameters to the nested programs that contain
EXEC commands or references to the EIB (EXEC interface block). You must pass the
same parameters also to any program that forms part of the control hierarchy
between such a program and its top-level program.

Chapter 20. Developing COBOL programs for CICS 377

 Coding a COBOL program to run above the 16-MB line
Under Enterprise COBOL, these restrictions apply when you code a COBOL
program to run above the 16-MB line:
v If you use IMS/ESA Version 6 (or later) without DBCTL, DL/I CALL statements are
supported only if all the data passed on the call resides below the 16-MB line.
Therefore, you must specify the DATA(24) compiler option. However, if you use
IMS/ESA Version 6 (or later) with DBCTL, you can use the DATA(31) compiler
option instead and pass data that resides above the 16-MB line.
If you use EXEC DLI instead of DL/I CALL statements, you can specify DATA(31)
regardless of the IMS product level.
v If the receiving program is link-edited with AMODE 31, addresses passed must be
31 bits long, or 24 bits long with the leftmost byte set to zeros.
v If the receiving program is link-edited with AMODE 24, addresses passed must be
24 bits long.

Determining the success of ECI calls

Following calls to the external CICS interface (ECI), the content of the RETURN-CODE
special register is set to an unpredictable value. Therefore, even if your COBOL
program terminates normally after successfully using the external CICS interface,
the job step could end with an undefined return code. To ensure that a meaningful
return code is given at termination, set the RETURN-CODE special register before
terminating your program.

To make the job return code reflect the status of the last call to CICS, set the
RETURN-CODE special register based on the response codes from the last call to the
external CICS interface.

RELATED TASKS
“Handling errors when calling programs” on page 233
ILC under CICS (Language Environment Writing ILC Applications)

RELATED REFERENCES
CICS External Interfaces Guide

Compiling with the CICS option

Use the CICS compiler option to enable the integrated CICS translator and to
specify CICS suboptions. If you specify the NOCICS option, the compiler diagnoses
and discards any CICS statements that it finds in your source program. If you have
already used the separate CICS translator, you must use the NOCICS compiler
option.

You can specify the CICS option in any of the compiler option sources: compiler
invocation, PROCESS or CBL statements, or installation default. When the CICS option
is the COBOL installation default, you cannot specify CICS suboptions. However,
making the CICS option the installation default is not recommended, because the
changes made by the integrated CICS translator are not appropriate for non-CICS
applications.

All CBL or PROCESS statements must precede any comment lines, in accordance with
the rules for Enterprise COBOL.

378 Programming Guide

 The CICS suboption string that you provide on the CICS compiler option is made
available to the integrated CICS translator. Only that translator views the contents
of the string.

When you use the integrated CICS translator, you must compile with these
options:

Compiler option Comment

CICS If you specify NOLIB, DYNAM, or NORENT, the compiler forces
on LIB, NODYNAM, and RENT.
LIB Must be in effect with CICS
NODYNAM Must be in effect with CICS
RENT Must be in effect with CICS
SIZE(xxx) xxx must be a size value (not MAX) that leaves enough
storage in your user region for the integrated CICS
translation process.

In addition, IBM recommends that you use the compiler option WORD(CICS) to have
the compiler flag language elements that are not supported under CICS.

You can use the standard JCL procedural statements that are supplied with
COBOL to compile your program with the integrated CICS translator. In addition
to specifying the above compiler options, you must change your JCL to specify the
STEPLIB override for the COBOL step and to add the data set that contains the
integrated CICS translator services, unless these services are in the linklist. The
default name of the data set for CICS Transaction Server V2R2 is
CICSTS22.CICS.SDFHLOAD, but your installation might have changed the name.
For example, you might have the following line in your JCL:
//STEPLIB DD DSN=CICSTS22.CICS.SDFHLOAD,DISP=SHR

The COBOL compiler listing includes the error diagnostics (such as syntax errors
in the CICS statements) that the integrated CICS translator generates. The listing
reflects the input source; it does not include the COBOL statements that the
integrated CICS translator generates.

Compiling a sequence of programs

When you use the CICS option to compile a source file that contains a sequence of
COBOL programs, the order of precedence of the options from highest to lowest is:
1. Options that are specified in the CBL or PROCESS card that initiates the unit of
compilation
2. Options that are specified when the compiler is started
3. CICS default options

Separating CICS suboptions

Because of the concatenation of multiple CICS option specifications, you can
separate CICS suboptions (which might not fit on a single CBL statement) into
multiple CBL statements.

The CICS suboptions that you include in the suboption string are cumulative. The
compiler concatenates these suboptions from multiple sources in the order that
they are specified. For example, suppose that your JCL file has the following code:

Chapter 20. Developing COBOL programs for CICS 379

 //STEP1 EXEC IGYWC, . . .
//PARM.COBOL=“CICS(”FLAG(I)“)”
//COBOL.SYSIN DD *
CBL CICS(“DEBUG”)
CBL CICS(“LINKAGE”)
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
PROGRAM-ID. COBOL1.

During compilation, the compiler passes the following suboption string to the
integrated CICS translator:
“FLAG(I) DEBUG LINKAGE”

The concatenated strings are delimited with a single space and with a quote or
apostrophe around the group. When the compiler finds multiple instances of the
same CICS suboption, the last specification of the suboption in the concatenated
string takes effect. The compiler limits the length of the concatenated CICS
suboption string to 4 KB.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Integrated CICS translator”

RELATED TASKS
“Coding COBOL programs to run under CICS” on page 375

RELATED REFERENCES
“CICS” on page 293
CICS Application Programming Guide

Integrated CICS translator

When you use the CICS compiler option, the COBOL compiler works with the
integrated CICS translator to handle both native COBOL and embedded CICS
statements in the source program. When the compiler encounters CICS statements,
and at other significant points in the source program, it interfaces with the
integrated CICS translator. This translator takes appropriate actions on the CICS
statements and then returns to the compiler, typically indicating what native
language statements to generate. However, if you are using CICS Transaction
Server 1.3, you must continue to use the separate translator.

Although the use of the separate CICS translator continues to be supported, use of
the integrated CICS translator is recommended. Certain restrictions that apply
when you use the separate translator do not apply when you use the integrated
translator:
v You can use Debug Tool to debug the original source, instead of the expanded
source that the separate CICS translator provides.
v You do not need to translate separately the EXEC CICS or EXEC DLI statements
that are in copybooks.
v There is no intermediate data set for the translated but not compiled version of
the source program.
v There is only one output listing instead of two.
v Using nested programs that contain EXEC CICS statements is simpler. DFHCOMAREA
and DFHEIBLK are generated with the GLOBAL attribute in the outermost program.
You do not need to pass them as arguments on calls to nested programs or
specify them on the PROCEDURE DIVISION USING statement of nested programs.
v You can keep nested programs that contain EXEC CICS in separate files and
include them through COPY statements.

380 Programming Guide

 v REPLACE statements can affect EXEC CICS statements.
v Because the compiler generates binary fields in CICS control blocks with format
COMP-5 instead of BINARY, there is no dependency on the setting of the TRUNC
compiler option. You can use any setting of the TRUNC option in CICS
applications, subject only to the requirements of the application logic and use of
user-defined binary fields.

RELATED TASKS
“Coding COBOL programs to run under CICS” on page 375
“Compiling with the CICS option” on page 378

RELATED REFERENCES
“TRUNC” on page 326

Using the separate CICS translator

To run a COBOL program under CICS, you can use the separate CICS translator to
convert the CICS commands to COBOL statements and then compile and link the
program to create the executable module. However, using the CICS translator that
is integrated with the Enterprise COBOL compiler is recommended.

To translate CICS statements separately, use the COBOL3 translator option. This
option causes the following line to be inserted:
CBL RENT,NODYNAM,LIB

You can suppress the insertion of a CBL statement by using the CICS translator
option NOCBLCARD.

CICS provides the translator option ANSI85, which supports these language
features (introduced by the COBOL 85 Standard):
v Blank lines intervening in literals
v Sequence numbers containing any character
v Lowercase characters supported in all COBOL words
v REPLACE statement
v Batch compilation
v Nested programs
v Reference modification
v GLOBAL variables
v Interchangeability of comma, semicolon, and space
v Symbolic character definition

After you use the separate CICS translator, use the following compiler options
when you compile the program:

Required compiler option Condition

RENT
NODYNAM The program is translated by the CICS translator.
LIB The program contains a COPY or BASIS statement.

In addition, IBM recommends that you use the compiler option WORD(CICS)to have
the compiler flag language elements that are not supported under CICS.

Chapter 20. Developing COBOL programs for CICS 381

 The following TRUNC compiler option recommendations are based on expected
values for binary data items:

Recommended compiler option Condition

TRUNC(OPT) All binary data items conform to the PICTURE and
USAGE clause for those data items.
TRUNC(BIN) Not all binary data items conform to the PICTURE and
USAGE clause for those data items.

For example, if you use the separate CICS translator and have a data item defined
as PIC S9(8) BINARY that might receive a value greater than eight digits, use the
TRUNC(BIN) compiler option, change the item to USAGE COMP-5, or change the
PICTURE clause.

You might also want to avoid using options that have no effect:

ADV
FASTSRT
OUTDD

The input data set for the compiler is the data set that you received as a result of
translation, which is SYSPUNCH by default.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Integrated CICS translator” on page 380

RELATED TASKS
“Compiling with the CICS option” on page 378

CICS reserved-word table

COBOL provides an alternate reserved-word table (IGYCCICS) for CICS
application programs. If you use the compiler option WORD(CICS), COBOL words
that are not supported under CICS are flagged by the compiler with an error
message.

In addition to the COBOL words restricted by the IBM-supplied default

reserved-word table, the IBM-supplied CICS reserved-word table restricts the
following COBOL words:

CLOSE I-O-CONTROL REWRITE

DELETE MERGE SD
FD OPEN SORT
FILE READ START
FILE-CONTROL RERUN WRITE
INPUT-OUTPUT

If you intend to use the SORT statement under CICS (COBOL supports an interface
for the SORT statement under CICS), you must change the CICS reserved-word
table before using it. You must remove the words in bold above from the list of
words marked as restricted, because they are required for the SORT function.

RELATED TASKS
“Compiling with the CICS option” on page 378

382 Programming Guide

 RELATED REFERENCES
“WORD” on page 329

Handling errors by using CICS HANDLE

The setting of the CBLPSHPOP run-time option affects the state of the HANDLE
| specifications when a program calls COBOL subprograms using a CALL statement.

When CBLPSHPOP is ON and a COBOL subprogram (not a nested program) is called

| with a CALL statement, the following happens:
1. As part of program initialization, the run time suspends the HANDLE
specifications of the calling program (with an EXEC CICS PUSH HANDLE).
2. The default actions for HANDLE apply until the called program issues its own
HANDLE commands.
3. As part of program termination, the run time reinstates the HANDLE
specifications of the calling program (with an EXEC CICS POP HANDLE).

| When CBLPSHPOP is OFF, the run time does not perform CICS PUSH or POP on a CALL
| to any COBOL subprogram. If the subprograms do not use any of the EXEC CICS
| condition-handling commands, you can run with CBLPSHPOP(OFF), eliminating the
| overhead of the PUSH HANDLE and POP HANDLE commands. As a result, performance
| can be improved compared to running with CBLPSHPOP(ON).

| If you are migrating an application from the VS COBOL II run time to the
| Language Environment run time, see the related reference for information about
| the CBLPSHPOP option for additional considerations.

If you use the CICS HANDLE CONDITION or CICS HANDLE AID commands, the LABEL
specified for the CICS HANDLE command must be in the same PROCEDURE DIVISION
as the CICS command that causes branching to the CICS HANDLE label. You cannot
use the CICS HANDLE commands with the LABEL option to handle conditions, aids,
or abends that were caused by another program invoked with the COBOL CALL
statement. Attempts to perform cross-program branching by using the CICS HANDLE
command with the LABEL option result in a transaction abend.

If a condition, aid, or abend occurs in a nested program, the LABEL for the
condition, aid, or abend must be in the same nested program; otherwise
unpredictable results will occur.

“Example: handling errors by using CICS HANDLE”

RELATED REFERENCES
CBLPSHPOP run-time option (Enterprise COBOL Compiler and Run-Time Migration
Guide)
IBM Enterprise COBOL Version 3 Release 1 Performance Tuning
(www.ibm.com/software/ad/cobol/zos/pdf/cobpf310.pdf)

Example: handling errors by using CICS HANDLE

The following sample code illustrates the use of CICS HANDLE in COBOL programs.
Program A has a CICS HANDLE CONDITION command and program B has no CICS
HANDLE commands. Program A calls program B; program A also calls nested
program A1.

The following shows how a condition is handled in three scenarios.

Chapter 20. Developing COBOL programs for CICS 383

 (1) CBLPSHPOP(ON): If the CICS READ command in program B causes a
condition, the condition will not be handled by program A (the HANDLE
specifications have been suspended because the run time performed a CICS
PUSH HANDLE). The condition will turn into a transaction abend.
(2) CBLPSHPOP(OFF): If the CICS READ command in program B causes a
condition, the condition will not be handled by program A (the run time
will diagnose the attempt to perform cross-program branching by using a
CICS HANDLE command with the LABEL option). The condition will turn into
a transaction abend.
(3) If the CICS READ command in nested program A1 causes a condition, the
flow of control goes to label ERR-1, and unpredictable results will occur.
***********************************************************
* Program A *
***********************************************************
ID DIVISION.
PROGRAM-ID. A.
. . .
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
EXEC CICS HANDLE CONDITION
ERROR(ERR-1)
END-EXEC.
CALL ’B’ USING DFHEIBLK DFHCOMMAREA.
CALL ’A1’.
. . .
THE-END.
EXEC CICS RETURN END-EXEC.
ERR-1.
. . .
* Nested program A1.
ID DIVISION.
PROGRAM-ID. A1.
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
EXEC CICS READ (3)
FILE(’LEDGER’)
INTO(RECORD)
RIDFLD(ACCTNO)
END-EXEC.
END PROGRAM A1.
END PROGRAM A.
*
***********************************************************
* Program B *
***********************************************************
ID DIVISION.
PROGRAM-ID. B.
. . .
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
EXEC CICS READ (1) (2)
FILE(’MASTER’)
INTO(RECORD)
RIDFLD(ACCTNO)
END-EXEC.
. . .
END PROGRAM B.

384 Programming Guide

 Chapter 21. Programming for a DB2 environment
In general, the coding for your COBOL program will be the same whether or not
you want it to access a DB2 database. However, to retrieve, update, insert, and
delete DB2 data and use other DB2 services, you must use SQL statements.

To communicate with DB2, you need to do the following:

v Code any SQL statements you need, delimiting them with EXEC SQL and
END-EXEC statements.
v Use the DB2 precompiler or compile with the SQL compiler option if you are
using DB2 for OS/390 Version 7 or later.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“DB2 coprocessor” on page 388

RELATED TASKS
“Coding SQL statements”
“Compiling with the SQL option” on page 387
Coding SQL statements in a COBOL application (IBM DB2 Application Programming
and SQL Guide)

RELATED REFERENCES
IBM DB2 SQL Reference

Coding SQL statements

Delimit SQL statements with EXEC SQL and END-EXEC statements. You also need to
take these special steps:
v Declare an SQL communication area (SQLCA) in the WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
v Declare all host variables that you use in SQL statements in the WORKING-STORAGE
or LINKAGE SECTION.

Using SQL INCLUDE with the DB2 coprocessor

An SQL INCLUDE statement is treated identically to a native COBOL COPY statement
when you use the SQL compiler option. Therefore, the following two lines are
treated the same way:
EXEC SQL INCLUDE name
COPY name

The name in an SQL INCLUDE statement follows the same rules as those for COPY
text-name and is processed identically to a COPY text-name without a REPLACING
clause.

The library search order for SQL INCLUDE statements is the same SYSLIB
concatenation as the compiler uses to resolve COBOL COPY statements that do not
specify a library-name.

Using character data

| You can code any of the following USAGE clauses to describe host variables for
| character data that you use in EXEC SQL statements:

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 385

| v USAGE DISPLAY for single-byte or UTF-8 data
| v USAGE DISPLAY-1 for DBCS data
| v USAGE NATIONAL for Unicode data

| When you use the stand-alone DB2 preprocessor, you must specify the code page
| (CCSID) in EXEC SQL DECLARE statements for host variables declared with USAGE
| NATIONAL. You must specify the code page for host variables declared with USAGE
| DISPLAY or DISPLAY-1 only if the CCSID in effect for the COBOL CODEPAGE compiler
| option and the CCSIDs used by DB2 for character and graphic data do not match.

| For example:
| CBL CODEPAGE(1140) NSYMBOL(NATIONAL)
| . . .
| WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
| EXEC SQL INCLUDE SQLCA END-EXEC.
| EXEC SQL BEGIN DECLARE SECTION END-EXEC.
| 01 ID PIC S9(4) USAGE COMP.
| 01 C1140.
| 49 C1140-LEN PIC S9(4) USAGE COMP.
| 49 C1140-TEXT PIC X(50).
| EXEC SQL DECLARE :C1140 VARIABLE CCSID 1140 END-EXEC.
| 01 G1200.
| 49 G1200-LEN PIC S9(4) USAGE COMP.
| 49 G1200-TEXT PIC N(50) USAGE NATIONAL.
| EXEC SQL DECLARE :G1200 VARIABLE CCSID 1200 END-EXEC.
| EXEC SQL END DECLARE SECTION END-EXEC.
| . . .
| EXEC SQL FETCH C1 INTO :ID, :C1140, :G1200 END-EXEC.

| When you use the integrated DB2 coprocessor, the statements EXEC SQL DECLARE
| :C1140 VARIABLE CCSID 1140 END-EXEC and EXEC SQL DECLARE :G1200 VARIABLE
| CCSID 1200 END-EXEC coded above are not necessary because the code page
| information is handled implicitly.

| If you specify EXEC SQL DECLARE variable-name VARIABLE CCSID nnnn END-EXEC, that
| specification overrides the implied CCSID. For example, the following code would
| cause DB2 to treat C1208-TEXT as encoded in UTF-8 (CCSID 1208) rather than the
| CCSID in effect for the COBOL CODEPAGE compiler option:
| 01 C1208.
| 49 C1208-LEN PIC S9(4) USAGE COMP.
| 49 C1208-TEXT PIC X(50).
| EXEC SQL DECLARE :C1208 VARIABLE CCSID 1208 END-EXEC.

| The NSYMBOL compiler option has no effect on a character literal inside an EXEC SQL
| statement. Character literals in an EXEC SQL statement follow the SQL rules for
| character constants.

Using binary items

For binary data items that you specify in an EXEC SQL statement, use either of these
techniques:
v Declare them as USAGE COMP-5.
v Use the TRUNC(BIN) option if USAGE BINARY, COMP, or COMP-4 is specified. (This
might have a larger impact on performance than using USAGE COMP-5 on
individual data items.)

If you specify a USAGE BINARY, COMP, or COMP-4 item when option TRUNC(OPT) or
TRUNC(STD) or both are in effect, the compiler will accept the item but the data

386 Programming Guide

 might not be valid because of the decimal truncation rules. You need to ensure that
truncation does not affect the validity of the data.

Determining the success of SQL statements

When DB2 finishes executing an SQL statement, DB2 sends a return code in the
SQLCA (with one exception) to indicate whether the operation succeeded or failed.
Your program should test the return code and take any necessary action.

The exception occurs when a program runs under DSN from one of the alternate
entry points of the TSO batch mode module IKJEFT01 (IKJEFT1A or IKJEFT1B). In
this case, the return code is passed in register 15.

After execution of SQL statements, the content of the RETURN-CODE special register
might not be valid. Therefore, even if your COBOL program terminates normally
after successfully using the SQL statements, the job step could end with an
undefined return code. To ensure that a meaningful return code is given at
termination, set the RETURN-CODE special register before terminating your program.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Formats for numeric data” on page 40

RELATED REFERENCES
“CODEPAGE” on page 294

Compiling with the SQL option

You use the SQL compiler option on z/OS to enable the DB2 coprocessor and
specify the DB2 suboptions. The SQL compiler option works with embedded SQL
statements only if the compiler has access to DB2 for OS/390 Version 7 or later.

You can specify the SQL option in any of the compiler option sources: compiler
invocation, PROCESS or CBL statements, or installation default. You cannot specify
DB2 suboptions when the SQL option is the COBOL installation default, but you
can specify default DB2 suboptions by customizing the DB2 product installation
defaults.

The DB2 suboption string that you provide on the SQL compiler option is made
available to the DB2 coprocessor. Only the DB2 coprocessor views the contents of
the string.

When you use the DB2 coprocessor, you must compile with these options:

Compiler option Comment

SQL If you use also NOLIB, LIB is forced on.
LIB Must be specified with SQL
SIZE(xxx) xxx is a size value (not MAX) that leaves enough storage in the
user region for the DB2 coprocessor services.

You can use standard JCL procedural statements to compile your program with the
DB2 coprocessor. In addition to specifying the above compiler options, specify the
following items in your JCL:
v DBRMLIB DD statement with the location for the generated database request
module (DBRM).

Chapter 21. Programming for a DB2 environment 387

 v STEPLIB override for the COBOL step, adding the data set that contains the DB2
coprocessor services, unless these services are in the LNKLST. Typically, this data
set is DSN710.SDSNLOAD, but your installation might have changed the name.

For example, you might have the following lines in your JCL:
//DBRMLIB DD DSN=PAYROLL.MONTHLY.DBRMLIB.DATA(MASTER),DISP=SHR
//STEPLIB DD DSN=DSN710.SDSNLOAD,DISP=SHR

Compiling in batch
When you use the SQL option to compile a source file that contains a sequence of
COBOL programs (a batch compile sequence), the option must be in effect for the
first program of the batch sequence. If the SQL option is specified on CBL or PROCESS
cards, the CBL or PROCESS cards must precede the first program in the batch
compile sequence.

Separating DB2 suboptions

Because of the concatenation of multiple SQL option specifications, you can
separate DB2 suboptions (which might not fit into single CBL statement) into
multiple CBL statements.

The DB2 suboptions that you include in the suboption string are cumulative. The
compiler concatenates these suboptions from multiple sources in the order that
they are specified. For example, suppose that your source file has the following
code:
//STEP1 EXEC IGYWC, . . .
// PARM.COBOL=’SQL(“DATABASE xxxx”)’
//COBOL.SYSIN DD *
CBL SQL(“PACKAGE USER xxxx”)
CBL SQL(“USING xxxx”)
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
PROGRAM-ID. DRIVER1.

During compilation, the compiler passes the following suboption string to the DB2
coprocessor:
“DATABASE xxxx PACKAGE USER xxxx USING xxxx”

The concatenated strings are delimited with single spaces. When the compiler finds
multiple instances of the same DB2 suboption, the last specification of the
suboption in the concatenated string will be in effect. The compiler limits the
length of the concatenated DB2 suboption string to 4 KB.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“DB2 coprocessor”

RELATED REFERENCES
“SQL” on page 320
IBM DB2 Command Reference

DB2 coprocessor
When you use the DB2 coprocessor (called SQL statement coprocessor by DB2), the
compiler handles your source program containing embedded SQL statements
without your having to use a separate precompile step. When the compiler
encounters SQL statements at significant points in the source program, it interfaces

388 Programming Guide

with the DB2 coprocessor. This coprocessor takes appropriate actions on the SQL
statements and indicates to the compiler what native COBOL statements to
generate for them.

Although the use of a separate precompile step continues to be supported, use of

the coprocessor is recommended. Interactive debugging with Debug Tool is
enhanced when you use the coprocessor because you see the SQL statements in the
listing (and not the generated COBOL source). However, you must have DB2 for
OS/390 Version 7 or later.

Compiling with the DB2 coprocessor generates a DB2 database request module
(DBRM) along with the usual COBOL compiler outputs such as object module and
listing. The DBRM writes to the data set that you specified on the DBRMLIBB DD
statement in the JCL for the COBOL compile step. As input to the DB2 bind
process, the DBRM data set contains information about the SQL statements and
host variables in the program.

The COBOL compiler listing includes the error diagnostics (such as syntax errors
in the SQL statements) that the DB2 coprocessor generates.

Certain restrictions on the use of COBOL language that apply when you use the
precompile step do not apply when you use the DB2 coprocessor:
v You can use SQL statements in any nested program. (With the precompiler, SQL
statements are restricted to the outermost program.)
v You can use SQL statements in copybooks.
v REPLACE statements work on SQL statements.

RELATED TASKS
“Compiling with the SQL option” on page 387

Chapter 21. Programming for a DB2 environment 389

390 Programming Guide
 Chapter 22. Developing COBOL programs for IMS
Although much of the coding of a COBOL program will be the same when
running under IMS, be aware of the following recommendations and restrictions.

In COBOL, IMS message processing programs (MPPs) do not use non-IMS input or
output statements such as READ, WRITE, REWRITE, OPEN, and CLOSE.

With Enterprise COBOL, you can invoke IMS facilities using the following
interfaces:
v CBLTDLI call
v Language Environment callable service CEETDLI

You code calls to CEETDLI the same way as calls to CBLTDLI. CEETDLI behaves
essentially the same way as CBLTDLI.

| You can also run object-oriented COBOL programs in an IMS Java dependent
| region. You can mix the object-oriented COBOL and Java languages in a single
| application.

RELATED TASKS
“Compiling and linking COBOL programs for running under IMS”
“Using object-oriented COBOL and Java under IMS” on page 392
“Calling a COBOL method from an IMS Java application” on page 392
“Building a mixed COBOL and Java application that starts with COBOL” on
page 393
“Writing mixed-language applications” on page 394

Compiling and linking COBOL programs for running under IMS

For best performance in the IMS environment, use the RENT compiler option. It
causes COBOL to generate reentrant code. You can then run your application
programs in either preloaded mode (the programs are always resident in storage) or
nonpreload mode, without having to recompile with different options.

IMS allows COBOL programs to be preloaded. This preloading can boost

performance because subsequent requests for the program can be handled faster
when the program is already in storage (rather than being fetched from a library
each time it is needed).

You must use the RENT compiler option to compile a program that is to be run
preloaded or as both preloaded and nonpreloaded. When you preload a load
module that contains COBOL programs, all of the COBOL programs in that load
module must be compiled with the RENT option.

For IMS programs, IBM recommends the RENT compiler option.

You can place programs compiled with the RENT option in the z/OS link pack area.
There they can be shared among the IMS dependent regions.

To run above the 16-MB line, your application program must be compiled with
either RENT or NORENT RMODE(ANY).

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 391

 The data for IMS application programs can reside above the 16-MB line, and you
can use DATA(31) RENT, or RMODE(ANY) NORENT for programs that use IMS services.

The recommended link-edit attributes for proper execution of COBOL programs

under IMS are as follows:
v Link as RENT load modules that contain only COBOL programs compiled with
the RENT compiler option.
v To link load modules that contain a mixture of COBOL RENT programs and other
programs, use the link-edit attributes recommended for the other programs.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Storage and its addressability” on page 33

RELATED TASKS
Coordinated condition handling under IMS (Language Environment Programming
Guide)

RELATED REFERENCES
“DATA” on page 296
“RENT” on page 316
IMS considerations (Enterprise COBOL Compiler and Run-Time Migration Guide)

Using object-oriented COBOL and Java under IMS

| You can mix object-oriented COBOL and Java in an application that runs in an IMS
| Java dependent region. For example, you can:
| v Call a COBOL method from an IMS Java application. You can build the
| messaging portion of your application in Java and call COBOL methods to
| access IMS databases.
| v Build a mixed COBOL and Java application that starts with the main method of
| a COBOL class and that invokes Java routines.

| You must run these applications in either a Java message processing (JMP)
| dependent region or a Java batch processing (JBP) dependent region. A program
| that reads from the message queue (regardless of the language) must run in a JMP
| dependent region.

RELATED TASKS
“Defining a factory section” on page 488
Chapter 28, “Writing object-oriented programs” on page 459
Chapter 29, “Communicating with Java methods” on page 501
Chapter 17, “Compiling, linking, and running OO applications” on page 277
IMS Java User’s Guide

Calling a COBOL method from an IMS Java application

| You can use the object-oriented language support in Enterprise COBOL to write
| COBOL methods that an IMS Java program can call. When you define a COBOL
| class and compile it with the Enterprise COBOL compiler, the compiler generates:
| v A Java class definition with native methods
| v The object code that implements the native methods

| You can then create an instance and invoke the methods of this class from an IMS
| Java program that runs in an IMS Java dependent region, just as you would use
| any other class.

392 Programming Guide

| For example, you can define a COBOL class that uses the appropriate DL/I calls to
| access an IMS database. To make the implementation of this class available to an
| IMS Java program, do the following steps:
| 1. Compile the COBOL class with the Enterprise COBOL compiler to generate a
| Java source file (.java) that contains the class definition and an object module
| (.o) that contains the implementation of the native methods.
| 2. Compile the generated Java source file with the Java compiler to create a class
| file (.class).
| 3. Link the object code into a dynamic link library (DLL) in the HFS (.so). (See the
| related tasks for details.) The HFS directory that contains the COBOL DLLs
| must be listed in the LIBPATH, as specified in the IMS.PROCLIB member that
| is indicated by the ENVIRON= parameter of the IMS region procedure.
| 4. Update the sharable application class path in the master JVM options member
| (ibm.jvm.sharable.application.class.path in the IMS.PROCLIB member that is
| specified by the JVMOPMAS= parameter of the the IMS region procedure) to
| enable the JVM to access the Java class file.

| When you write the initial routine of a mixed-language application in Java, you
| must implement a class that is derived from the IMS Java IMSApplication class.

| A Java program cannot call procedural COBOL programs directly. To reuse existing
| COBOL IMS code, you can use one of the following techniques:
| v Restructure the COBOL code as a method in a COBOL class.
| v Write a COBOL class definition and method that serves as a wrapper for the
| existing procedural code. The wrapper code can use COBOL CALL statements to
| access procedural COBOL programs.

RELATED TASKS
Chapter 17, “Compiling, linking, and running OO applications” on page 277
“Structuring OO applications” on page 498
“Wrapping procedure-oriented COBOL programs” on page 497
IMS Java User’s Guide

Building a mixed COBOL and Java application that starts with

COBOL
| You can also build a mixed COBOL and Java IMS application that starts with
| COBOL code.

| An application that runs in an IMS Java dependent region must start with the main
| method of a class. A COBOL class definition with a main factory method meets this
| requirement; therefore, you can use it as the first routine of a mixed COBOL and
| Java IMS application. (See the related tasks for details about how you can structure
| OO applications.) Enterprise COBOL generates a Java class with a main method
| that the IMS Java dependent region can find, instantiate, and invoke in the same
| way that the region does for the main method of an IMS Java IMSApplication
| subclass. Although you can code the entire application in COBOL, you would
| probably build this type of application to call a Java routine. When COBOL
| run-time support runs within the JVM of an IMS Java dependent region, it
| automatically finds and uses this JVM to invoke methods on Java classes.

| When the main factory method of a COBOL class is the initial routine of a
| mixed-language application in an IMS Java dependent region, the program is
| subject to the same requirements as a Java program that runs in the dependent
| region. That is, the program must explicitly commit resources before it reads

Chapter 22. Developing COBOL programs for IMS 393

| subsequent messages from the message queue or exits the application. (A COBOL
| DL/I GU call does not commit resources when it is issued in an IMS Java
| dependent region, as it does when issued in a message processing region (MPR).)

| However, the COBOL application is not derived from the IMSApplication class,
| and it should not use the IMS Java classes for processing messages or
| synchronizing transactions. Instead, it should use DL/I calls in COBOL for
| processing messages (GU and GN) and synchronizing transactions (CHKP). A CHKP call
| in an IMS Java dependent region does not result in the automatic retrieval of a
| message from the message queue, unlike a CHKP call in a non-IMS Java region.

RELATED TASKS
“Structuring OO applications” on page 498
IMS Java User’s Guide
New IBM Technology featuring Persistent Reusable Java Virtual Machines

Writing mixed-language applications

| This section covers some things to consider when you write mixed-language
| applications.

Using the COBOL STOP RUN statement

| If you use the COBOL STOP RUN statement in the COBOL portion of your
| application, it will terminate all COBOL and Java routines (including the JVM),
| and return control immediately to IMS. The program and the transaction are left in
| a stopped state.

Processing messages and synchronizing transactions

| IMS message processing applications must do all message processing and
| transaction synchronization logic in one language, either COBOL or Java, rather
| than distributing this logic between application components written in the two
| languages. COBOL components use CALL statements to DL/I services for
| processing messages (GU and GN) and synchronizing transactions (CHKP). Java
| components use IMS Java classes to do these functions. You can use object
| instances of classes derived from IMSFieldMessage to communicate entire IMS
| messages between the COBOL and Java components of the application.

Accessing databases
| Limitation: EXEC SQL statements for DB2 database access are not currently
| supported in COBOL routines that run in IMS Java dependent regions.

| You can use either Java, COBOL, or a mixture of the two languages for accessing
| IMS databases.

| Recommendation: Do not access the same database program communication block

| (PCB) from both Java and COBOL. The Java and COBOL parts of the application
| share the same database position. Changes in database position from calls in one
| part of the application will affect the database position in another part of the
| application. (This problem occurs whether the affected parts of an application are
| written in the same language or in different languages.)

| Suppose that a Java component of a mixed application builds an SQL SELECT clause
| and uses Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) to query and retrieve results from an
| IMS database. The IMS Java class library constructs the appropriate request to IMS
| to establish the correct position in the database. If you then invoke a COBOL
| method that builds a segment search argument (SSA) and issues a GU (Get Unique)
| request to IMS against the same database PCB, the request has probably altered the

394 Programming Guide

| position in the database for that PCB. If so, subsequent JDBC requests to retrieve
| more records by using the initial SQL SELECT clause will be incorrect because the
| database position has changed. If you must access the same PCB from multiple
| languages, after an interlanguage call, reestablish the database position before you
| access more records in the database.

Using the application interface block

| The IMS Java dependent region does not provide PCB addresses to its application.
| Therefore, COBOL applications that run in an IMS Java dependent region are
| required to use the application interface block (AIB) interface, which requires that
| all PCBs in a program specification block (PSB) definition have a name.

| To use the AIB interface, specify the PCB requested for the call by placing the PCB
| name (which must be defined as part of the PSBGEN) in the resource name field of
| the AIB. You do not specify the PCB address directly, and your application does
| not need to know the relative PCB position in the PCB list. At the completion of
| the call, the AIB returns the PCB address that corresponds to the PCB name that
| the application passed.

| For example:

| Local-storage section.
| copy AIB.
| . . .
| Linkage section.
| 01 IOPCB.
| 05 logtterm pic x(08).
| 05 pic x(02).
| 05 tpstat pic x(02).
| 05 iodate pic x(04).
| 05 iotime pic x(04).
| 05 pic x(02).
| 05 seqnum pic x(02).
| 05 mod pic x(08).
| Procedure division.
| Move spaces to input-area
| Move spaces to AIB
| Move “DFSAIB” to AIBRID
| Move length of AIB to AIBRLEN
| Move “IOPCB” to AIBRSNM1
| Move length of input-area to AIBOALEN
| Call “CEETDLI” using GU, AIB, input-area
| Set address of IOPCB to AIBRESA1
| If tpstat = spaces
| * . . process input message

RELATED TASKS
IMS Java User’s Guide
IMS Application Programming: Transaction Manager

Chapter 22. Developing COBOL programs for IMS 395

396 Programming Guide
 Chapter 23. Running COBOL programs under UNIX
To run COBOL programs in the UNIX environment, you must compile them with
the Enterprise COBOL or the COBOL for OS/390 & VM compiler. They must be
reentrant: use the compiler and linker option RENT. If you are going to run them
from the HFS, use the linker option AMODE 31. Any AMODE 24 program that you call
from within a UNIX application must reside in an MVS PDS or PDSE.

The following restrictions apply to running under UNIX:

v SORT and MERGE statements are not supported.
v You cannot use the old COBOL interfaces for preinitialization (run-time option
RTEREUS and functions IGZERRE and ILBOSTP0) to establish a reusable
environment.
v You cannot run a COBOL program compiled with the NOTHREAD option in more
than one thread. If you start a COBOL application in a second thread, you get a
software condition from the COBOL run time. You can run NOTHREAD COBOL
programs in the initial process thread (IPT) or in one non-IPT that you create
from a C or PL/I routine.
You can run a COBOL program in more than one thread when you compile all
the COBOL programs in the application with the THREAD option.

| You can use Debug Tool to debug UNIX programs in remote debug mode, for
| example, by using the remote debugger from IBM VisualAge COBOL, or in
| full-screen mode using a VTAM terminal.

RELATED TASKS
Chapter 16, “Compiling under UNIX” on page 269
“Running OO applications under UNIX” on page 279
“Running in UNIX environments”
“Setting and accessing environment variables” on page 398
“Calling UNIX/POSIX APIs” on page 400
“Accessing main program parameters” on page 402
Language Environment Programming Guide

RELATED REFERENCE
“RENT” on page 316

Running in UNIX environments

You can run UNIX COBOL programs in any of the UNIX execution environments:
v From a UNIX shell, either:
– The OMVS shell (OMVS), or
– The ISPF shell (ISHELL)

Enter the program name at the shell prompt. The program must be in the
current directory or in your search path.

You can specify run-time options only by setting the environment variable
_CEE_RUNOPTS before starting the program.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 397

 You can run MVS programs that reside in a cataloged MVS data set from a shell
by using the tso utility. For example:
tso “call ’my.loadlib(myprog)’”

The ISPF shell can direct stdout and stderr only to an HFS file, not to your
terminal.
v From outside a shell, either:
– TSO/E, or
– Batch

To call a UNIX COBOL program that resides in an HFS file from the TSO/E
ready prompt, use the BPXBATCH utility or a spawn() syscall in a REXX exec.

To call a UNIX COBOL program that resides in an HFS file with the JCL EXEC
statement, use the BPXBATCH utility.

RELATED TASKS
“Running OO applications under UNIX” on page 279
“Setting and accessing environment variables”
“Calling UNIX/POSIX APIs” on page 400
“Accessing main program parameters” on page 402
“Defining and allocating QSAM files” on page 134
“Defining and allocating line-sequential files” on page 175
“Allocating VSAM files” on page 168
“Displaying values on a screen or in a file (DISPLAY)” on page 30
Running POSIX-enabled programs using a UNIX shell (Language Environment
Programming Guide)
Running POSIX-enabled programs outside the UNIX shells (Language Environment
Programming Guide)

RELATED REFERENCES
“TEST” on page 322
The BPXBATCH utility (UNIX System Services User’s Guide)
Language Environment Programming Reference

Setting and accessing environment variables

You can set environment variables for UNIX COBOL programs in either of these
ways:
v From the shell with commands export and set
v From the program

Although setting and resetting environment variables from the shell before you
begin to run a program is probably a typical procedure, you can set, reset, and
access environment variables from the program while it is running.

If you are running a program with BPXBATCH, you can set environment variables
by using an STDENV DD statement.

Setting environment variables that affect execution

To set environment variables from a shell, use the export or set command. For
example, to set the environment variable MYFILE:
export MYFILE=/usr/mystuff/notes.txt

398 Programming Guide

 Call POSIX functions setenv() and putenv() to set environment variables from the
program.

Environment variables of interest for COBOL programs

| _CEE_ENVFILE
| Specifies a file from which to read environment variables.
_CEE_RUNOPTS
Run-time options.
CLASSPATH
| Directory paths of Java .class files required for an OO application.
| COBJVMINITOPTIONS
| Java virtual machine (JVM) options used when COBOL initializes a JVM.
_IGZ_SYSOUT
stdout or stderr to direct DISPLAY output. These are the only allowable
values.
LIBPATH
Directory paths of dynamic link libraries.
| PATH Directory paths of executable programs.
STEPLIB
Location of programs not in the LNKLST.

Resetting environment variables

You can reset an environment variable from the shell or from your program. To
reset an environment variable as if it had not been set, use the UNIX shell
command unset. To reset an environment variable from a COBOL program, call
the setenv() function.

Accessing environment variables

To see the values of all environment variables, you can use the export command
with no parameters.

To access the value of an environment variable from a COBOL program, call the
getenv() function.

“Example: accessing environment variables” on page 400

RELATED TASKS
“Running in UNIX environments” on page 397
“Calling UNIX/POSIX APIs” on page 400
“Accessing main program parameters” on page 402
“Running OO applications under UNIX” on page 279
“Displaying values on a screen or in a file (DISPLAY)” on page 30

RELATED REFERENCES
_CEE_ENVFILE (C/C++ Programming Guide)
Language Environment Programming Reference
MVS JCL Reference

Chapter 23. Running COBOL programs under UNIX 399

 Example: accessing environment variables
The following example shows how you can access and set environment variables
from a COBOL program by calling the standard POSIX functions getenv() and
putenv().

Because getenv() and putenv() are C functions, you must pass arguments BY VALUE.
Pass character strings as BY VALUE pointers that point to null-terminated strings.
Compile programs that call these functions with the NODYNAM and
PGMNAME(LONGMIXED) options.
CBL pgmname(longmixed),nodynam
Identification division.
Program-id. “envdemo”.
Data division.
Working-storage section.
01 P pointer.
01 PATH pic x(5) value Z“PATH”.
01 var-ptr pointer.
01 var-len pic 9(4) binary.
01 putenv-arg pic x(14) value Z“MYVAR=ABCDEFG”.
01 rc pic 9(9) binary.
Linkage section.
01 var pic x(5000).
Procedure division.
* Retrieve and display the PATH environment variable
Set P to address of PATH
Call “getenv” using by value P returning var-ptr
If var-ptr = null then
Display “PATH not set”
Else
Set address of var to var-ptr
Move 0 to var-len
Inspect var tallying var-len
for characters before initial X“00”
Display “PATH = ” var(1:var-len)
End-if
* Set environment variable MYVAR to ABCDEFG
Set P to address of putenv-arg
Call “putenv” using by value P returning rc
If rc not = 0 then
Display “putenv failed”
Stop run
End-if
Goback.

Calling UNIX/POSIX APIs

You can call standard UNIX/POSIX functions from UNIX programs and from
| traditional MVS COBOL programs by using the CALL literal statement. These
functions are part of Language Environment.

Because these are C functions, you must pass arguments BY VALUE. Pass character
strings as BY VALUE pointers that point to null-terminated strings. You must use the
compiler options NODYNAM and PGMNAME(LONGMIXED) when you compile programs
that call these functions.

fork(), exec(), and spawn()

You can call the fork(), exec(), and spawn() functions from a COBOL program, or
from a non-COBOL program in the same process as COBOL programs. However,
be aware of these restrictions:

400 Programming Guide

 v From a forked process you cannot access any COBOL sequential, indexed, or
relative files that were open when you issued the fork. You get a file status code
92 when you attempt such access (CLOSE, READ, WRITE, REWRITE, DELETE, or START).
You can access line-sequential files that were open at the time of a fork.
v You cannot use the fork() function in a process in which any of the following
conditions are true:
– A COBOL SORT or MERGE is running.
– A declarative is running.
– The process has more than one Language Environment enclave (COBOL run
unit).
– The process has used any of the COBOL reusable environment interfaces.
– The process has ever run an OS/VS COBOL or VS COBOL II program.
v With one exception, MVS DD allocations are not inherited from a parent process
to a child process. The exception is the local spawn, which creates a child
process in the same address space as the parent process. You request a local
spawn by setting the environment variable _BPX_ SHAREAS=YES before you invoke
the spawn() function.

The exec() and spawn() functions start a new Language Environment enclave in
the new UNIX process. Therefore the target program of the exec() or spawn() is a
main program, and all COBOL programs in the process start in initial state with all
files closed.

Samples
Sample code for calling some of the POSIX routines is provided with the product.
The sample source code is in the SIGYSAMP data set.

Purpose Sample Functions used

Shows how to use some of the file IGYTFL1 getcwd()
and directory routines mkdir()
rmdir()
access()
Shows how to use the iconv IGYTCNV iconv_open()
routines to convert data iconv()
iconv_close()
Shows the use of the exec() routine IGYTEXC fork()
to run a new program along with IGYTEXC1 getpid()
other process-related routines getppid()
execl()
perror()
wait()
Shows how to get the errno value IGYTERNO perror()
IGYTGETE fopen()
Shows the use of the interprocess IGYTMSQ ftok()
communication message routines IGYTMSQ2 msgget()
msgsndd()
perror()
fopen()
fclose()
msgrcv()
msgctl()
perror()

Chapter 23. Running COBOL programs under UNIX 401

 RELATED TASKS
“Running in UNIX environments” on page 397
“Setting and accessing environment variables” on page 398
“Accessing main program parameters”
Language Environment Programming Guide

RELATED REFERENCES
C/C++ Run-Time Library Reference
UNIX System Services Programming Assembler Callable Services Reference

Accessing main program parameters

When you run a COBOL program from the UNIX shell command line, or with an
exec() or spawn() function, the parameter list consists of three parameters passed
by reference:
argument count
A binary fullword integer that contains the number of elements in each of
the arrays that are passed in the second and third parameters.
argument length list
An array of pointers. The nth entry in the array is the address of a
fullword binary integer that contains the length of the nth entry in the
argument list.
argument list
An array of pointers. The nth entry in the array is the address of the nth
character string passed as an argument in the spawn() or exec() function or
in the command invocation. Each character string is null-terminated.
This array is never empty. The first argument is the character string that
represents the name of the file associated with the process being started.

You can access these parameters with standard COBOL coding.

“Example: accessing main program parameters”

RELATED TASKS
“Running in UNIX environments” on page 397
“Setting and accessing environment variables” on page 398
“Calling UNIX/POSIX APIs” on page 400

Example: accessing main program parameters

The following example shows the three parameters that are passed by reference.
Identification division.
Program-id. “EXECED”.
****************************************************************
* This sample program displays arguments received via exec() *
* function of UNIX System Services *
****************************************************************
Data division.
Working-storage section.
01 curr-arg-count pic 9(9) binary value zero.
Linkage section.
01 arg-count pic 9(9) binary. (1)
01 arg-length-list. (2)
05 arg-length-addr pointer occurs 1 to 99999
depending on curr-arg-count.
01 arg-list. (3)
05 arg-addr pointer occurs 1 to 99999

402 Programming Guide

 depending on curr-arg-count.
01 arg-length pic 9(9) binary.
01 arg pic X(65536).
Procedure division using arg-count arg-length-list arg-list.
*****************************************************************
* Display number of arguments received *
*****************************************************************
Display “Number of arguments received: ” arg-count
*****************************************************************
* Display each argument passed to this program *
*****************************************************************
Perform arg-count times
Add 1 to curr-arg-count
* *******************************************************
* * Set address of arg-length to address of current *
* * argument length and display *
* *******************************************************
Set Address of arg-length
to arg-length-addr(curr-arg-count)
Display
“Length of Arg ” curr-arg-count “ = ” arg-length
* *******************************************************
* * Set address of arg to address of current argument *
* * and display *
* *******************************************************
Set Address of arg to arg-addr(curr-arg-count)
Display “Arg ” curr-arg-count “ = ” arg (1:arg-length)
End-Perform
Display “Display of arguments complete.”
Goback.
(1) This count contains the number of elements in the arrays that are passed in
the second and third parameters.
(2) This array includes a pointer to the length of the nth entry in the argument
list.
(3) This array includes a pointer to the nth character string passed as an
argument on the spawn() or exec() function or the command invocation.

Chapter 23. Running COBOL programs under UNIX 403

404 Programming Guide
Part 4. Structuring complex applications
Chapter 24. Using subprograms . . . . . . 407 Search order for DLLs in HFS . . . . . . . 442
Main programs, subprograms, and calls . . . . 408 Using DLL linkage and dynamic calls together . . 442
Ending and reentering main programs or Using procedure or function pointers with DLLs 443
subprograms . . . . . . . . . . . . . 408 Calling DLLs from non-DLLs . . . . . . . 444
Transferring control to another program . . . . 410 Example: calling DLLs from non-DLLs . . . . 444
Making static calls. . . . . . . . . . . 410 Using COBOL DLLs with C/C++ programs . . . 446
Making dynamic calls . . . . . . . . . 411 Using DLLs in OO COBOL applications . . . . 446
Canceling a subprogram. . . . . . . . 412
When to use a dynamic call . . . . . . 412 Chapter 27. Preparing COBOL programs for
Performance considerations of static and multithreading . . . . . . . . . . . . 449
dynamic calls . . . . . . . . . . . . 413 Multithreading . . . . . . . . . . . . . 449
Making both static and dynamic calls . . . . 414 Choosing THREAD to support multithreading . . 451
Examples: static and dynamic CALL statements 414 Transferring control with multithreading . . . . 451
Calling nested COBOL programs . . . . . . 416 Using cancel with threaded programs . . . . 451
Nested programs . . . . . . . . . . 416 Ending a program . . . . . . . . . . . 451
Example: structure of nested programs . . . 417 Preinitializing the COBOL environment . . . 452
Scope of names. . . . . . . . . . . 418 Processing files with multithreading . . . . . . 452
Making recursive calls . . . . . . . . . . 419 File definition storage . . . . . . . . . 452
Calling to and from object-oriented programs . . 419 Recommended usage for file access . . . . . 453
Using procedure and function pointers . . . . . 420 Example: usage patterns of file input and
Deciding which type of pointer to use . . . . 421 output with multithreading. . . . . . . . 453
Calling a C function pointer . . . . . . . 421 Handling COBOL limitations with multithreading 454
Calling to alternate entry points . . . . . . 421
Making programs reentrant . . . . . . . . 422

Chapter 25. Sharing data . . . . . . . . . 423

Passing data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 423
Describing arguments in the calling program 424
Describing parameters in the called program 425
Testing for OMITTED arguments . . . . . . 425
Coding the LINKAGE SECTION . . . . . . . 425
Coding the PROCEDURE DIVISION for passing
arguments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 426
Grouping data to be passed . . . . . . . 426
Handling null-terminated strings . . . . . . 426
Using pointers to process a chained list . . . 427
Example: using pointers to process a chained
list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 428
Passing return code information . . . . . . . 430
Understanding the RETURN-CODE special
register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 430
Using PROCEDURE DIVISION RETURNING . .
.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 431
Specifying CALL . . . RETURNING . . . . . 431
Sharing data by using the EXTERNAL clause. . . 431
Sharing files between programs (external files) . . 432
Example: using external files . . . . . . . 432

Chapter 26. Creating a DLL or a DLL application 437

Dynamic link libraries (DLLs) . . . . . . . . 437
Compiling programs to create DLLs . . . . . . 438
Linking DLLs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 439
Example: sample JCL for a procedural DLL
application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440
Prelinking certain DLLs . . . . . . . . . . 441
Using CALL identifier with DLLs . . . . . . 441

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 405

406 Programming Guide
Chapter 24. Using subprograms
Many applications consist of several separately compiled programs linked together.
A run unit (the COBOL term synonymous with enclave in Language Environment)
includes one or more object programs and can include object programs written in
other Language Environment member languages.

Language Environment provides interlanguage support that allows your Enterprise

COBOL programs to call and be called by programs that meet the requirements of
Language Environment.

Name prefix alert: Do not use program names that start with prefixes used by IBM
products. If you try to use programs whose names start with any of the following,
your CALL statements might resolve to IBM library or compiler routines rather than
to your intended program:

AFB AFH CBC CEE EDC

IBM IFY IGY IGZ ILB

Multithreading: You can combine your multithreaded COBOL programs with C

programs and Language Environment-enabled assembler programs in the same
run unit when those programs are also appropriately coded for multithreaded
execution.

PL/I tasking: To include COBOL programs in applications that contain multiple

PL/I tasks, follow these guidelines:
v Compile all COBOL programs that you run on multiple PL/I tasks with the
THREAD option. If you compile any COBOL program with the NOTHREAD option, all
of the COBOL programs must run in one PL/I task.
v You can call COBOL programs compiled with the THREAD option from one or
more PL/I tasks. However, calls from PL/I programs to COBOL programs
cannot include the TASK or EVENT option. The PL/I tasking call must first call a
PL/I program or function that in turn calls the COBOL program. This
indirection is required because you cannot specify the COBOL program directly
as the target of a PL/I CALL statement that includes the TASK or EVENT option.
v Be aware that issuing a STOP RUN statement from a COBOL program or a STOP
statement from a PL/I program terminates the entire Language Environment
enclave, including all the tasks of execution.
v Do not code explicit POSIX threading (calls to pthread_create()) in any run unit
that includes PL/I tasking.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Main programs, subprograms, and calls” on page 408

RELATED TASKS
“Ending and reentering main programs or subprograms” on page 408
“Transferring control to another program” on page 410
“Making recursive calls” on page 419
“Calling to and from object-oriented programs” on page 419
“Using procedure and function pointers” on page 420

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 407

 “Making programs reentrant” on page 422
Language Environment Writing ILC Applications

RELATED REFERENCES
Register conventions (Language Environment Programming Guide)

Main programs, subprograms, and calls

If a COBOL program is the first program in the run unit, that COBOL program is
the main program. Otherwise, it and all other COBOL programs in the run unit are
subprograms. No specific source code statements or options identify a COBOL
program as a main program or a subprogram.

Whether a COBOL program is a main program or a subprogram can be significant

for either of two reasons:
v Effect of program termination statements
v State of the program when it is reentered after returning

In the PROCEDURE DIVISION, a program can call another program (generally called a
subprogram in COBOL terms), and this called program can itself call other
programs. The program that calls another program is referred to as the calling
program, and the program it calls is referred to as the called program. When the
called program processing is completed, the program can either transfer control
back to the calling program or end the run unit.

The called COBOL program starts running at the top of the PROCEDURE DIVISION.

RELATED TASKS
“Ending and reentering main programs or subprograms”
“Making recursive calls” on page 419
“Transferring control to another program” on page 410

RELATED REFERENCES
Language Environment Programming Guide

Ending and reentering main programs or subprograms

You can use any of three termination statements in a main program or
subprogram, but they have different effects, as shown in the table below:

Termination
statement Main program Subprogram
EXIT PROGRAM No action taken. Return to calling program without
ending the run unit. An implicit
EXIT PROGRAM statement is
generated if the called program
has no next executable statement.

In a threaded environment, the

thread is not terminated unless the
program is the first (oldest) one in
the thread.

408 Programming Guide

 Termination
statement Main program Subprogram
STOP RUN 1
Return to calling program. (Might Return directly to the program that
be the operating system, and job called the main program.1 (Might
will end.) be the operating system, and job
will end.)
STOP RUN terminates the run unit,
and deletes all dynamically called In a threaded environment, the
programs in the run unit and all entire Language Environment
programs link-edited with them. (It enclave is terminated, including all
does not delete the main program.) threads executing within the
enclave.
In a threaded environment the
entire Language Environment
enclave is terminated, including all
threads executing within the
enclave.
GOBACK Same effect as STOP RUN: return to Return to calling program.
calling program.1 (Might be the
operating system, and job will In a threaded environment, if the
end.) program is the first program in a
thread, the thread is terminated.2
In a threaded environment, the
thread is terminated.2

1. If the main program is called by a program written in another language that does not
follow Language Environment linkage conventions, return is to this calling program.
2. If the thread is the initial thread of execution in an enclave, the enclave is terminated.

A subprogram is usually left in its last-used state when it terminates with EXIT
PROGRAM or GOBACK. The next time it is called in the run unit, its internal values will
be as they were left, except that return values for PERFORM statements will be reset
to their initial values. (In contrast, a main program is initialized each time it is
called.)

There are some cases where programs will be in their initial state:
v A subprogram that is dynamically called and then canceled will be in the initial
state the next time it is called.
v A program with the INITIAL attribute will be in the initial state each time it is
called.
| v Data items defined in the LOCAL-STORAGE SECTION will be reset to the initial state
| specified by their VALUE clauses each time the program is called.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Comparison of WORKING-STORAGE and LOCAL-STORAGE” on page 14
Thread termination (Language Environment Programming Guide)

RELATED TASKS
“Calling nested COBOL programs” on page 416
“Making recursive calls” on page 419

Chapter 24. Using subprograms 409

Transferring control to another program
You can use several different methods to transfer control to another program:
v Static calls
v Dynamic calls
v Calls to nested programs
v Calls to dynamic link libraries (DLLs)

In addition to making calls between Enterprise COBOL programs, you can also
make static and dynamic calls between Enterprise COBOL and programs compiled
with older compilers in all environments including CICS.

When you want to use OS/VS COBOL with Enterprise COBOL, there are
differences in support between non-CICS and CICS:
In a non-CICS environment
You can make static and dynamic calls between Enterprise COBOL and
other COBOL programs.
Exception: You cannot call VS COBOL II or OS/VS COBOL programs in
the UNIX environment.
In a CICS environment
You cannot call OS/VS COBOL programs in the CICS environment. You
must use EXEC CICS LINK to transfer control between OS/VS COBOL
programs and other COBOL programs.

Calls to nested programs allow you to create applications using structured

programming techniques. You can use nested programs in place of PERFORM
procedures to prevent unintentional modification of data items. Call nested
programs using either the CALL literal or CALL identifier statement.

Calls to dynamic link libraries (DLLs) are an alternative to COBOL dynamic CALL,
and are well suited to object-oriented COBOL applications, UNIX programs, and
applications that interoperate with C/C++.

Under z/OS, linking two load modules together results logically in a single
program with a primary entry point and an alternate entry point, each with its
own name. Each name by which a subprogram is to be dynamically called must be
known to the system. You must specify each such name in linkage-editor or binder
control statements as either a NAME or an ALIAS of the load module that contains the
subprogram.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Nested programs” on page 416

RELATED TASKS
“Making static calls”
“Making dynamic calls” on page 411
“Making both static and dynamic calls” on page 414
“Calling nested COBOL programs” on page 416

Making static calls

When you use the CALL literal statement in a program that is compiled using the
NODYNAM and NODLL compiler options, a static call occurs. With these options, all
calls of the CALL literal format are handled as static calls.

410 Programming Guide

 In the static CALL statement, the COBOL program and all called programs are part
of the same load module. When control is transferred, the called program already
resides in storage, and a branch to it takes place. Subsequent executions of the CALL
statement make the called program available in its last-used state, unless the called
program has the INITIAL attribute. In that case, the called program and each
program directly or indirectly contained within it are placed into its initial state
every time the called program is called within a run unit.

If you specify alternate entry points, a static CALL statement can use any alternate
entry point to enter the called subprogram.

“Examples: static and dynamic CALL statements” on page 414

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Performance considerations of static and dynamic calls” on page 413

RELATED TASKS
“Calling to and from object-oriented programs” on page 419
“Making dynamic calls”
“Making both static and dynamic calls” on page 414

RELATED REFERENCES
“DYNAM” on page 301
“DLL” on page 299
CALL statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Making dynamic calls

When you use the CALL literal statement in a program that is compiled using the
DYNAM and the NODLL compiler options, or when you use the CALL identifier
statement in a program that is compiled using the NODLL compiler option, a
dynamic call occurs. The program name in the PROGRAM-ID paragraph or ENTRY
statement must be identical to the corresponding load module name or load
module alias of the load module that contains it.

In this form of the CALL statement, the called COBOL subprogram is not link-edited
with the main program, but is instead link-edited into a separate load module, and
is loaded at run time only when it is required (that is, when called).

Each subprogram that you call with a dynamic CALL statement can be part of a
different load module that is a member of either the system link library or a
private library that you supply. In either case it must be in an MVS load library; it
cannot reside in the hierarchical file system. When a dynamic CALL statement calls
a subprogram that is not resident in storage, the subprogram is loaded from
secondary storage into the region or partition containing the main program and a
branch to the subprogram is performed.

The first dynamic call to a subprogram within a run unit obtains a fresh copy of
the subprogram. Subsequent calls to the same subprogram (by either the original
caller or any other subprogram within the same run unit) result in a branch to the
same copy of the subprogram in its last-used state, provided the subprogram does
not possess the INITIAL attribute. Therefore, the reinitialization of either of the
following items is your responsibility:
v GO TO statements that have been altered
v Data items

Chapter 24. Using subprograms 411

 If you call the same COBOL program under different run units, a separate copy of
working storage is allocated for each run unit.

Restriction: Dynamic calls are not permitted to:

v COBOL DLL programs
v COBOL programs compiled with the PGMNAME(LONGMIXED) option, unless the
program name is less than or equal to eight characters in length and is all
uppercase
v COBOL programs compiled with the PGMNAME(LONGUPPER) option, unless the
program name is less than or equal to eight characters in length
v More than one entry point in the same COBOL program (unless an intervening
CANCEL statement has been executed)

Canceling a subprogram
When you issue a CANCEL statement for a subprogram, the storage occupied by the
subprogram is freed, and a subsequent call to the subprogram functions as though
it were the first call. You can cancel a subprogram from a program other than the
original caller.

If the called subprogram has more than one entry point, ensure an intervening
CANCEL statement is issued before you specify different entry points in the dynamic
CALL statement.

After a CANCEL statement is processed for a dynamically called contained program,

the program will be in the first-used state. However, the program is not loaded
with the initial call, and storage is not freed after the program is canceled.

When to use a dynamic call

Use a dynamic CALL statement in any of the following circumstances:
v The load module that you want to dynamically call is in an MVS load library
rather than in the hierarchical file system.
v You are concerned about ease of maintenance. Applications do not have to be
link-edited again when dynamically called subprograms are changed.
v The subprograms called are used infrequently or are very large.
If the subprograms are called on only a few conditions, dynamic calls can bring
in the subprogram only when needed.
If the subprograms are very large or there are many of them, using static calls
might require too much main storage. Less total storage might be required to
call and cancel one, then call and cancel another, than to statically call both.
v You want to call subprograms in their unused state, and you cannot use the
INITIAL attribute.
When you cannot use the INITIAL attribute to ensure that a subprogram is
placed in its unused state each time it is called, you can set the unused state by
using a combination of dynamic CALL and CANCEL statements. When you cancel
the subprogram that was first called by a COBOL program, the next call will
cause the subprogram to be reinitialized to its unused state.
Using the CANCEL statement to explicitly cancel a subprogram that was
dynamically loaded and branched to by a non-COBOL program does not result
in any action being taken to release the subprogram’s storage or to delete the
subprogram.
v You have an OS/VS COBOL or other AMODE 24 program in the same run unit
with Enterprise COBOL programs that you want to run in 31-bit addressing
mode. COBOL dynamic call processing includes AMODE switching for AMODE 24

412 Programming Guide

 programs calling AMODE 31 programs, and vice versa. To have this implicit AMODE
switching done, you must use the Language Environment run-time option
ALL31(OFF). AMODE switching is not performed when ALL31(ON) is set.
When AMODE switching is performed, control is passed from the caller to a
Language Environment library routine. After the switching is performed, control
passes to the called program; the save area for the library routine will be
positioned between the save area for the caller program and the save area for
the called program.
v You do not know the program name to be called until run time. Here, use the
format CALL identifier, where the identifier is a data item that will contain the
name of the called program at run time. In terms of practical application, you
might use CALL identifier when the program to be called is variable, depending
on conditional processing in your program. CALL identifier is always dynamic,
even if you use the NODYNAM compiler option.

“Examples: static and dynamic CALL statements” on page 414

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Performance considerations of static and dynamic calls”

RELATED TASKS
“Making both static and dynamic calls” on page 414

RELATED REFERENCES
“DYNAM” on page 301
CALL statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
ENTRY statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
Language Environment Programming Reference

Performance considerations of static and dynamic calls

Because a statically called program is link-edited into the same load module as the
calling program, a static call is faster than a dynamic call. A static call is the
preferred method if your application does not require the services of the dynamic
call.

Statically called programs cannot be deleted (using CANCEL), so static calls might
take more main storage. If storage is a concern, think about using dynamic calls.
Storage usage of calls depends on whether:
v The subprogram is called only a few times. Regardless of whether it is called, a
statically called program is loaded into storage; a dynamically called program is
loaded only when it is called.
v You subsequently delete the dynamically called subprogram with a CANCEL
statement.
You cannot delete a statically called program, but you can delete a dynamically
called program. Using a dynamic call and then a CANCEL statement to delete the
dynamically called program after it is no longer needed in the application (and
not after each call to it) might require less storage than using a static call.

RELATED TASKS
“Making static calls” on page 410
“Making dynamic calls” on page 411

Chapter 24. Using subprograms 413

 Making both static and dynamic calls
You can specify both static and dynamic CALL statements in the same program if
you compile the program with the NODYNAM compiler option. In this case, with the
CALL literal statement the called subprogram will be link-edited with the main
program into one load module. The CALL identifier statement results in the dynamic
invocation of a separate load module.

When a dynamic CALL statement and a static CALL statement to the same
subprogram are issued within one program, a second copy of the subprogram is
loaded into storage. Because this arrangement does not guarantee that the
subprogram will be left in its last-used state, results can be unpredictable.

RELATED REFERENCES
“DYNAM” on page 301

Examples: static and dynamic CALL statements

This example has three parts:
v Code that uses a static call to call a subprogram
v Code that uses a dynamic call to call the same subprogram
v The subprogram that is called by the two types of calls

The following example shows how you would code a static call:
PROCESS NODYNAM NODLL
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
DATA DIVISION.
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
01 RECORD-2 PIC X. (6)
01 RECORD-1. (2)
05 PAY PICTURE S9(5)V99.
05 HOURLY-RATE PICTURE S9V99.
05 HOURS PICTURE S99V9.
. . .
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
CALL “SUBPROG” USING RECORD-1. (1)
CALL “PAYMASTR” USING RECORD-1 RECORD-2. (5)
STOP RUN.

The following example shows how you would code a dynamic call:
DATA DIVISION.
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
77 PGM-NAME PICTURE X(8).
01 RECORD-2 PIC x. (6)
01 RECORD-1. (2)
05 PAY PICTURE S9(5)V99.
05 HOURLY-RATE PICTURE S9V99.
05 HOURS PICTURE S99V9.
. . .
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
. . .
MOVE “SUBPROG” TO PGM-NAME.
CALL PGM-NAME USING RECORD-1. (1)
CANCEL PGM-NAME.
MOVE “PAYMASTR” TO PGM-NAME. (4)
CALL PGM-NAME USING RECORD-1 RECORD-2. (5)
STOP RUN.

The following example shows a called subprogram that is called by each of the
two preceding calling programs:

414 Programming Guide

IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
PROGRAM-ID. SUBPROG.
DATA DIVISION.
LINKAGE SECTION.
01 PAYREC. (2)
10 PAY PICTURE S9(5)V99.
10 HOURLY-RATE PICTURE S9V99.
10 HOURS PICTURE S99V9.
77 PAY-CODE PICTURE 9. (6)
PROCEDURE DIVISION USING PAYREC. (1)
. . .
EXIT PROGRAM. (3)
ENTRY “PAYMASTR” USING PAYREC PAY-CODE. (5)
. . .
GOBACK. (7)
(1) Processing begins in the calling program. When the first CALL statement is
executed, control is transferred to the first statement of the PROCEDURE
DIVISION in SUBPROG, which is the called program.
In each of the CALL statements, the operand of the first USING option is
identified as RECORD-1.
(2) When SUBPROG receives control, the values within RECORD-1 are made
available to SUBPROG; however, in SUBPROG they are referred to as PAYREC.
The PICTURE character-strings within PAYREC and PAY-CODE contain the same
number of characters as RECORD-1 and RECORD-2, although the descriptions
are not identical.
(3) When processing within SUBPROG reaches the EXIT PROGRAM statement,
control is returned to the calling program. Processing continues in that
program until the second CALL statement is issued.
(4) In the example of a dynamically called program, because the second CALL
statement refers to another entry point within SUBPROG, a CANCEL statement
is issued before the second CALL statement.
(5) With the second CALL statement in the calling program, control is again
transferred to SUBPROG, but this time processing begins at the statement
following the ENTRY statement in SUBPROG.
(6) The values within RECORD-1 are again made available to PAYREC. In
addition, the value in RECORD-2 is now made available to SUBPROG through
the corresponding USING operand PAY-CODE.
When control is transferred the second time from the statically linked
program, SUBPROG is made available in its last-used state (that is, if any
values in SUBPROG storage were changed during the first execution, those
changed values are still in effect). When control is transferred from the
dynamically linked program, however, SUBPROG is made available in its
initial state, because of the CANCEL statement that has been executed.
(7) When processing reaches the GOBACK statement, control is returned to the
calling program at the statement immediately following the second CALL
statement.

In any given execution of the called program and either of the two calling
programs, if the values within RECORD-1 are changed between the time of the first
CALL and the second, the values passed at the time of the second CALL statement
will be the changed, not the original, values. If you want to use the original values,
you must save them.

Chapter 24. Using subprograms 415

 Calling nested COBOL programs
By calling nested programs you can create applications using structured
programming techniques. You can also use them in place of PERFORM procedures to
prevent unintentional modification of data items.

Use either the CALL literal or CALL identifier statement to make calls to nested
programs.

You can call a contained program only from its directly containing program, unless
you identify the contained program as COMMON in its PROGRAM-ID clause. In that case,
you can call the common program from any program that is contained (directly or
indirectly) in the same program as the common program. Only contained
programs can be identified as COMMON. Recursive calls are not allowed.

Follow these guidelines when using nested program structures:

v Use the IDENTIFICATION DIVISION in each program. All other divisions are
optional.
v Make the name of a contained program unique. You can use any valid COBOL
word or an alphanumeric literal.
v In the outermost program set any CONFIGURATION SECTION options that might be
required. Contained programs cannot have a CONFIGURATION SECTION.
v Include each contained program in the containing program immediately before
its END PROGRAM marker.
v Use an END PROGRAM marker to terminate contained and containing programs.

You cannot use the THREAD option when compiling programs that contain nested
programs.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Nested programs”

RELATED REFERENCES
“Scope of names” on page 418
CALL statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Nested programs
A COBOL program can nest, or contain, other COBOL programs. The nested
programs can themselves contain yet other programs. A nested program can be
directly or indirectly contained in a program.

There are four main advantages to nesting called programs:

v Nested programs give you a method to create modular functions for your
application and maintain structured programming techniques. They can be used
analogously to PERFORM procedures, but with more structured control flow and
with the ability to protect local data items.
v Nested programs allow for debugging a program before including it in the
application.
v Nested programs allow you to compile your application with a single invocation
of the compiler.
v Calls to nested programs have the best performance of all the forms of COBOL
CALL statements.

416 Programming Guide

The following example describes a nested program structure with directly and
indirectly contained programs:

“Example: structure of nested programs”

RELATED TASKS
“Calling nested COBOL programs” on page 416

RELATED REFERENCES
“Scope of names” on page 418

Example: structure of nested programs

The following example shows a nested structure with some contained programs
identified as COMMON.

Chapter 24. Using subprograms 417

 The following table describes the calling hierarchy for the structure that is shown
in the example above. Programs A12, A2, and A3 are identified as COMMON, and the
calls associated with them differ.

And can be called by these

This program Can call these programs programs
A A1, A2, A3 None
A1 A11, A12, A2, A3 A
A11 A111, A12, A2, A3 A1
A111 A12, A2, A3 A11
A12 A2, A3 A1, A11, A111
A2 A3 A, A1, A11, A111, A12, A3
A3 A2 A, A1, A11, A111, A12, A2

Note that:
v A2 cannot call A1 because A1 is not common and is not contained in A2.
v A1 can call A2 because A2 is common.

Scope of names
Names in nested structures are divided into two classes: local and global. The class
determines whether a name is known beyond the scope of the program that
declares it. A specific search sequence locates the declaration of a name after it is
referenced in a program.

Local names: Names (except the program name) are local unless declared to be
otherwise. Local names are visible or accessible only within the program in which
they were declared. They are not visible or accessible to contained and containing
programs.

Global names: A name that is global (indicated using the GLOBAL clause) is visible
and accessible to the program in which it is declared, and to all the programs that
are directly and indirectly contained in that program. Therefore, the contained
programs can share common data and files from the containing program simply by
referencing the name of the item.

Any item that is subordinate to a global item (including condition-names and

indexes) is automatically global.

418 Programming Guide

 You can declare the same name with the GLOBAL clause more than one time,
providing that each declaration occurs in a different program. Be aware that you
can mask, or hide, a name in a nested structure by having the same name occur in
different programs of the same containing structure. However, this masking could
cause problems during a search for a name declaration.

Searching for name declarations: When a name is referenced in a program, a

search is made to locate the declaration for that name. The search begins in the
program that contains the reference and continues outward to containing programs
until a match is found. The search follows this process:
1. Declarations in the program are searched first.
2. If no match is found, only global declarations are searched in successive outer
containing programs.
3. The search ends when the first matching name is found; otherwise, an error
exists if no match is found.

The search is for a global name, not for a particular type of object associated with
the name, such as a data item or file connector. The search stops when any match
is found, regardless of the type of object. If the object declared is of a different type
than that expected, an error condition exists.

Making recursive calls

A called program can directly or indirectly execute its caller. For example, program
X calls program Y, program Y calls program Z, and program Z then calls program
X. This type of call is recursive.

To make a recursive call, you must code the RECURSIVE clause on the PROGRAM-ID
paragraph of the recursively called program. If you try to recursively call a
COBOL program that does not have the RECURSIVE clause coded on its PROGRAM-ID
paragraph, a condition is signaled. If the condition remains unhandled, the run
unit will end.

RELATED TASKS
“Identifying a program as recursive” on page 6

RELATED REFERENCES
RECURSIVE attribute (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
“THREAD” on page 325

Calling to and from object-oriented programs

When you create applications that contain object-oriented programs, the
object-oriented COBOL programs are COBOL DLL programs and can be in one or
more dynamic link libraries (DLLs). (Each class definition must be in a separate
DLL, however.) Calls to or from COBOL DLL programs must either use DLL
linkage or be static calls. COBOL dynamic calls to or from COBOL DLL programs
are not supported.

If you must call a COBOL DLL program from a COBOL non-DLL program, other
means that ensure that the DLL linkage mechanism is followed are available.

Chapter 24. Using subprograms 419

Using procedure and function pointers
Procedure pointers are data items defined with the USAGE IS PROCEDURE-POINTER
clause. Function pointers are data items defined with the USAGE IS
FUNCTION-POINTER clause. In this discussion, “pointer” refers to either a
procedure-pointer data item or a function-pointer data item. You can set either of
these data items to contain entry addresses of (or pointers to) these entry points:
v Another COBOL program that is not nested. For example, to have a user-written
error-handling routine take control when an exception condition occurs, you
must first pass the entry address of the routine to CEEHDLR, a condition
management Language Environment callable service, to have it registered.
v A program written in another language. For example, to receive the entry
address of a C function, call the function with the CALL RETURNING format of the
CALL statement. It will return a pointer that you can either use as a function
pointer or convert to a procedure pointer by using a form of the SET statement.
v An alternate entry point in another COBOL program (as defined in an ENTRY
statement).

You can set procedure-pointer and function-pointer data items only by using
format 6 of the SET statement. The SET statement sets the pointer to refer either to
an entry point in the same load module as your program, to a separate load
module, or to an entry point exported from a DLL, depending on the
DYNAM|NODYNAM and DLL|NODLL compiler options. Therefore, consider these factors
when using these pointer data items:
v If you compile your program with the NODYNAM and NODLL options and set your
pointer item to a literal value (to an actual name of an entry point), the value
must refer to an entry point in the same load module as your program.
Otherwise the reference cannot be resolved.
v If you compile your program with the NODLL option and either set your pointer
item to an identifier that will contain the name of the entry point at run time or
set your pointer item to a literal and compile with the DYNAM option, then your
pointer item, whether a literal or variable, must point to an entry point in a
separate load module. The entry point can be either the primary entry point or
an alternate entry point named in an ALIAS linkage-editor or binder statement.
v If you compile with the NODYNAM and DLL options and set your pointer item to a
literal value (the actual name of an entry point), the value must refer to an entry
point in the same load module as your program or to an entry point name that
is exported from a DLL module. In the latter case you must include the DLL
side file for the target DLL module in the link edit of your program load
module.
v If you compile with the NODYNAM and DLL options and set your pointer item to an
identifier (a data item that contains the entry point name at run time), the
identifier value must refer to the entry point name that is exported from a DLL
module. In this case the DLL module name must match the name of the
exported entry point.

If you set your pointer item to an entry address in a dynamically called load
module and your program subsequently cancels that dynamically called module,
then your pointer item becomes undefined. Reference to it thereafter is not reliable.

420 Programming Guide

Deciding which type of pointer to use
Use procedure pointers to call other COBOL programs and to call Language
Environment callable services. They are more efficient than function pointers for
COBOL-to-COBOL calls and are required for calls to Language Environment
condition handling services.

Use function pointers to communicate with C/C++ programs or with services

provided by the Java Native Interface.

Calling a C function pointer

Many callable services written in C return function pointers. You can call such a C
function pointer from your COBOL program by using COBOL function pointers as
illustrated here:
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
PROGRAM-ID. DEMO.
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION.
DATA DIVISION.
******
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
01 FP USAGE FUNCTION-POINTER.
******
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
CALL “c-function” RETURNING FP.
CALL FP.
. . .

Calling to alternate entry points

You can specify another entry point where the program will begin running by
using the ENTRY label in the called program. However, this is not recommended in
a structured program.

Static calls to alternate entry points work without restriction.

Dynamic calls to alternate entry points require:

v NAME or ALIAS linkage-editor or binder control statements.
v The NAME compiler option.
v An intervening CANCEL for dynamic calls to the same module at differing entry
points. CANCEL causes the program to be invoked in initial state when it is called
at a new entry point.

“Examples: static and dynamic CALL statements” on page 414

RELATED TASKS
“Using procedure or function pointers with DLLs” on page 443
“Accessing JNI services” on page 501

RELATED REFERENCES
“DLL” on page 299
“DYNAM” on page 301
“NAME” on page 308
CANCEL statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
Procedure pointer (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
Function pointer (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
ENTRY statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Chapter 24. Using subprograms 421

Making programs reentrant
If more than one user will run an application program at the same time (for
example, users in different address spaces accessing the same program residing in
the link pack area), you must make the program reentrant by using the RENT option
when you compile it. You do not need to worry about multiple copies of variables.
The compiler creates the necessary reentrancy controls in your object module.

The following Enterprise COBOL programs must be reentrant:

v Programs to be used with CICS
v Programs to be preloaded with IMS
v Programs to be used as DB2 stored procedures
v Programs to be run in the UNIX environment
v Programs that are enabled for DLL support
v Programs that use object-oriented syntax

For reentrant programs, use the DATA compiler option and the HEAP and ALL31
run-time options to control whether dynamic data areas, such as WORKING-STORAGE,
are obtained from storage below or above the 16-MB line.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Storage and its addressability” on page 33

RELATED TASKS
“Compiling programs to create DLLs” on page 438
Chapter 17, “Compiling, linking, and running OO applications” on page 277

RELATED REFERENCES
“RENT” on page 316
“DATA” on page 296
ALL31 run-time option (Language Environment Programming Reference)
HEAP run-time option (Language Environment Programming Reference)

422 Programming Guide

Chapter 25. Sharing data
When a run unit consists of several separately compiled programs that call each
other, the programs must be able to communicate with each other. They also
usually need to have access to common data.

This material describes how you can write programs that can share data with other
programs. For the purposes of this discussion, a subprogram is any program called
by another program.

RELATED TASKS
“Passing data”
“Coding the LINKAGE SECTION” on page 425
“Coding the PROCEDURE DIVISION for passing arguments” on page 426
“Passing return code information” on page 430
“Specifying CALL . . . RETURNING” on page 431
“Sharing data by using the EXTERNAL clause” on page 431
“Sharing files between programs (external files)” on page 432

Passing data
You can choose among three ways of passing data between programs:
BY REFERENCE
The subprogram refers to and processes the data items in storage of the
calling program rather than working on a copy of the data.
BY CONTENT
The calling program passes only the contents of the literal or identifier. With
a CALL . . . BY CONTENT, the called program cannot change the value of
the literal or identifier in the calling program, even if it modifies the variable
in which it received the literal or identifier.
BY VALUE
The calling program or method passes the value of the literal or identifier,
not a reference to the sending data item.
The called program or invoked method can change the parameter in the
called program or invoked method. However, because the subprogram or
method has access only to a temporary copy of the sending data item,
these changes do not affect the argument in the calling program.

Determine which of these three data-passing methods to use based on what you
want your program to do with the data:

Code Purpose Comments

CALL . . . BY REFERENCE To have the definition of the argument Any changes made by the subprogram
identifier of the CALL statement in the calling to the parameter affect the argument in
program and the definition of the the calling program.
parameter in the called program share
the same memory
CALL . . . BY REFERENCE To pass a Data Control Block (DCB) to The file-name must reference a QSAM
file-name assembler programs sequential file.1

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 423

Code Purpose Comments
CALL . . . BY CONTENT ADDRESS To pass the address of a record area to
OF record-name a called program
CALL . . . BY CONTENT identifier To pass a copy of the identifier to the
subprogram. Changes to the parameter
by the subprogram will not affect the
caller’s identifier.
CALL . . . BY CONTENT literal To pass a literal value to a called
program
CALL . . . BY CONTENT LENGTH To pass the length of a data item The calling program passes the length
OF identifier of the identifier from its LENGTH special
register.
A combination of BY REFERENCE To pass both a data item and its length
and BY CONTENT such as: to a subprogram
CALL ’ERRPROC’
USING BY REFERENCE A
BY CONTENT LENGTH OF A.
CALL . . . BY VALUE identifier To pass data to a program, such as a
C/C++ program, that uses BY VALUE
parameter linkage conventions. A copy
of the identifier is passed.
CALL . . . BY VALUE literal To pass data to a program, such as a
C/C++ program, that uses BY VALUE
parameter linkage conventions. A copy
of the literal is passed.
CALL . . . BY VALUE ADDRESS OF To pass data to a C/C++ program that
identifier expects a pointer to the argument
CALL . . . RETURNING To call a C/C++ function with a
function return value

1. File-names as CALL operands are allowed as an IBM extension to COBOL. Any use of the extension generally
depends on the specific internal implementation of the compiler. Control block field settings might change in
future releases. Any changes made to the control block are the user’s responsibility and not supported by IBM.

Describing arguments in the calling program

In the calling program, describe arguments in the DATA DIVISION in the same
manner as other data items in the DATA DIVISION. Describe these data items in the
LINKAGE SECTION of all the programs that it calls directly or indirectly.

Storage for arguments is allocated only in the highest outermost program. For
example, program A calls program B, which calls program C. Data items are
allocated in program A and are described in the LINKAGE SECTION of programs B
and C, making the one set of data available to all three programs.

If you reference data in a file, the file must be open when the data is referenced.

Code the USING phrase of the CALL statement to pass the arguments.

Do not pass parameters allocated in storage above the 16-MB line to AMODE 24
subprograms. Use the DATA(24) option if the RENT option is in effect, or the
RMODE(24) option if the NORENT option is in effect.

424 Programming Guide

 Describing parameters in the called program
You must know what is being passed from the calling program and describe it in
the LINKAGE SECTION of the called program.

Code the USING phrase after the PROCEDURE DIVISION header to receive the
parameters.

Testing for OMITTED arguments

You can specify that one or more BY REFERENCE arguments are not to be passed to a
called program by coding the OMITTED keyword in place of those arguments in the
CALL statement. For example, to omit the second argument when calling program
sub1, code this statement:
Call ’sub1’ Using PARM1, OMITTED, PARM3

The arguments in the USING phrase of the CALL statement must match the
parameters of the called program in number and position.

In a called program, you can test whether an argument was passed as OMITTED by
comparing the address of the corresponding parameter to NULL. For example:
Program-ID. sub1.
. . .
Procedure Division Using RPARM1, RPARM2, RPARM3.
If Address Of RPARM2 = Null Then
Display ’No 2nd argument was passed this time’
Else
Perform Process-Parm-2
End-If

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Storage and its addressability” on page 33

RELATED TASKS
“Specifying CALL . . . RETURNING” on page 431
“Sharing data by using the EXTERNAL clause” on page 431
“Sharing files between programs (external files)” on page 432

RELATED REFERENCES
CALL statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
INVOKE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Coding the LINKAGE SECTION

Code the same number of data-names in the identifier list of the calling program as
the number of data-names in the identifier list of the called program. Synchronize
them by position, because the compiler passes the first identifier of the calling
program to the first identifier of the called program, and so on.

You will introduce errors if the number of data-names in the identifier list of a
called program is greater than the number of data-names in the identifier list of the
calling program. The compiler does not try to match arguments and parameters.

The following figure shows a data item being passed from one program to another.

Chapter 25. Sharing data 425

 In the calling program, the code for parts (PARTCODE) and the part number (PARTNO)
are referred to separately. In the called program, by contrast, the code for parts and
the part number are combined into one data item (PART-ID). A reference in the
called program to PART-ID is the only valid reference to these items.

Coding the PROCEDURE DIVISION for passing arguments

If you pass an argument BY VALUE, use the USING BY VALUE clause on the PROCEDURE
DIVISION header of the subprogram:
PROCEDURE DIVISION USING BY VALUE

If you pass an argument BY REFERENCE or BY CONTENT, you do not need to indicate

how the argument was passed on the PROCEDURE DIVISION.

You can code the header in either of the following ways:

PROCEDURE DIVISION USING
PROCEDURE DIVISION USING BY REFERENCE

RELATED REFERENCES
The procedure division header (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Grouping data to be passed

Consider grouping all the data items you want to pass between programs and
putting them under one level-01 item. If you do this, you can pass a single level-01
record between programs.

To make the possibility of mismatched records even smaller, put the level-01 record
into a copy library and copy it in both programs. That is, copy it in the
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION of the calling program and in the LINKAGE SECTION of the
called program.

RELATED TASKS
“Coding the LINKAGE SECTION” on page 425

Handling null-terminated strings

COBOL supports null-terminated strings when you use null-terminated literals, the
hexadecimal literal X’00’, and string-handling verbs.

426 Programming Guide

 You can manipulate null-terminated strings (passed from a C program, for
example) by using string-handling mechanisms such as those shown for the
following code:
01 L pic X(20) value z’ab’.
01 M pic X(20) value z’cd’.
01 N pic X(20).
01 N-Length pic 99 value zero.
01 Y pic X(13) value ’Hello, World!’.

To determine the length of a null-terminated string and then display the value of
the string:
Inspect N tallying N-length for characters before initial X’00’
Display ’N: ’ N(1:N-length) ’ Length: ’ N-length

To move a null-terminated string to an alphanumeric string, and strip null:

Unstring N delimited by X’00’
into X

To create a null-terminated string:

String Y delimited by size
X’00’ delimited by size
into N.

To concatenate two null-terminated strings:

String L delimited by x’00’
M delimited by x’00’
X’00’ delimited by size
into N.

RELATED TASKS
“Manipulating null-terminated strings” on page 91

RELATED REFERENCES
Null-terminated alphanumeric literals (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Using pointers to process a chained list

When you want to pass and receive addresses of record areas, you can manipulate
pointer data items, which are a special type of data item to hold data addresses.
Pointer data items are data items that either are defined with the USAGE IS POINTER
clause or are ADDRESS special registers. A typical application for using pointer data
items is in processing a chained list (a series of records where each record points to
the next).

When you pass addresses between programs in a chained list, you can use NULL to
assign the value of an address that is not valid (nonnumeric 0) to pointer items.
You can assign the value NULL to a pointer data item in two ways:
v Use a VALUE IS NULL clause in its data definition.
v Use NULL as the sending field in a SET statement.

In the case of a chained list in which the pointer data item in the last record
contains a null value, the code to check for the end of the list is as follows:
IF PTR-NEXT-REC = NULL
. . .
(logic for end of chain)

Chapter 25. Sharing data 427

 If the program has not reached the end of the list, the program can process the
record and move on to the next record.

The data passed from a calling program might contain header information that you
want to ignore. Because pointer data items are not numeric, you cannot directly
perform arithmetic on them. However, to bypass header information, you can use
the SET statement to increment the passed address.

“Example: using pointers to process a chained list”

RELATED TASKS
“Coding the LINKAGE SECTION” on page 425
“Coding the PROCEDURE DIVISION for passing arguments” on page 426

RELATED REFERENCES
SET statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Example: using pointers to process a chained list

For this example, picture a chained list of data that consists of individual salary
records. The following figure shows one way to visualize how these records are
linked in storage:

The first item in each record points to the next record, except for the last record.
The first item in the last record contains a null value instead of an address, to
indicate that it is the last record.

The high-level logic of an application that processes these records might look as
follows:
OBTAIN ADDRESS OF FIRST RECORD IN CHAINED LIST FROM ROUTINE
CHECK FOR END OF THE CHAINED LIST
DO UNTIL END OF THE CHAINED LIST
PROCESS RECORD
GO ON TO THE NEXT RECORD
END

The following code contains an outline of the calling program, LISTS, used in this
example of processing a chained list.
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
PROGRAM-ID. LISTS.
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION.
DATA DIVISION.
******
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
77 PTR-FIRST POINTER VALUE IS NULL. (1)
77 DEPT-TOTAL PIC 9(4) VALUE IS 0.
******
LINKAGE SECTION.
01 SALARY-REC.
02 PTR-NEXT-REC POINTER. (2)

428 Programming Guide

 02 NAME PIC X(20).
02 DEPT PIC 9(4).
02 SALARY PIC 9(6).
01 DEPT-X PIC 9(4).
******
PROCEDURE DIVISION USING DEPT-X.
******
* FOR EVERYONE IN THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED AS DEPT-X,
* GO THROUGH ALL THE RECORDS IN THE CHAINED LIST BASED ON THE
* ADDRESS OBTAINED FROM THE PROGRAM CHAIN-ANCH
* AND CUMULATE THE SALARIES.
* IN EACH RECORD, PTR-NEXT-REC IS A POINTER TO THE NEXT RECORD
* IN THE LIST; IN THE LAST RECORD, PTR-NEXT-REC IS NULL.
* DISPLAY THE TOTAL.
******
CALL “CHAIN-ANCH” USING PTR-FIRST (3)
SET ADDRESS OF SALARY-REC TO PTR-FIRST (4)
******
PERFORM WITH TEST BEFORE UNTIL ADDRESS OF SALARY-REC = NULL (5)

IF DEPT = DEPT-X
THEN ADD SALARY TO DEPT-TOTAL
ELSE CONTINUE
END-IF
SET ADDRESS OF SALARY-REC TO PTR-NEXT-REC (6)

END-PERFORM
******
DISPLAY DEPT-TOTAL
GOBACK.
(1) PTR-FIRST is defined as a pointer data item with an initial value of NULL.
On a successful return from the call to CHAIN-ANCH, PTR-FIRST contains the
address of the first record in the chained list. If something goes wrong
with the call, however, and PTR-FIRST never receives the value of the
address of the first record in the chain, a null value remains in PTR-FIRST
and, according to the logic of the program, the records will not be
processed.
(2) The LINKAGE SECTION of the calling program contains the description of the
records in the chained list. It also contains the description of the
department code that is passed, using the USING clause of the CALL
statement.
(3) To obtain the address of the first SALARY-REC record area, the LISTS
program calls the program CHAIN-ANCH:
(4) The SET statement bases the record description SALARY-REC on the address
contained in PTR-FIRST.
(5) The chained list in this example is set up so that the last record contains an
address that is not valid. This check for the end of the chained list is
accomplished with a do-while structure where the value NULL is assigned
to the pointer data item in the last record.
(6) The address of the record in the LINKAGE-SECTION is set equal to the
address of the next record by means of the pointer data item sent as the
first field in SALARY-REC. The record-processing routine repeats, processing
the next record in the chained list.

To increment addresses received from another program, you could set up the
LINKAGE SECTION and PROCEDURE DIVISION like this:

Chapter 25. Sharing data 429

 LINKAGE SECTION.
01 RECORD-A.
02 HEADER PIC X(12).
02 REAL-SALARY-REC PIC X(30).
. . .
01 SALARY-REC.
02 PTR-NEXT-REC POINTER.
02 NAME PIC X(20).
02 DEPT PIC 9(4).
02 SALARY PIC 9(6).
. . .
PROCEDURE DIVISION USING DEPT-X.
. . .
SET ADDRESS OF SALARY-REC TO ADDRESS OF REAL-SALARY-REC

The address of SALARY-REC is now based on the address of REAL-SALARY-REC, or

RECORD-A + 12.

RELATED TASKS
“Using pointers to process a chained list” on page 427

Passing return code information

Use the RETURN-CODE special register to pass and receive return codes between
programs. Methods do not return information in the RETURN-CODE special register,
but they can check the register after a call to a program.

You can also use the RETURNING phrase on the PROCEDURE DIVISION header in your
method to return information to an invoking program or method. If you use
PROCEDURE DIVISION . . . RETURNING with CALL . . . RETURNING, the RETURN-CODE
register will not be set.

Understanding the RETURN-CODE special register

When a COBOL program returns to its caller, the contents of the RETURN-CODE
special register are stored into register 15. When control is returned to a COBOL
program or method from a call, the contents of register 15 are stored into the
RETURN-CODE special register of the calling program or method. When control is
returned from a COBOL program to the operating system, the special register
contents are returned as a user return code.

You might need to think about this handling of the RETURN-CODE when control is
returned to a COBOL program from a non-COBOL program. If the non-COBOL
program does not use register 15 to pass back the return code, then the
RETURN-CODE special register of the COBOL program might be updated with a
value that is not valid. Unless you set this special register to a meaningful value
before your Enterprise COBOL program returns to the operating system, a return
code that is not valid will be passed back to the system.

For equivalent function between COBOL and C programs, have your COBOL
program call the C program with the RETURNING option. If the C program (function)
correctly declares a function value, the RETURNING value of the calling COBOL
program will be set.

You cannot set the RETURN-CODE special register by using the INVOKE statement.

430 Programming Guide

 Using PROCEDURE DIVISION RETURNING . . .
Use the RETURNING phrase on the PROCEDURE DIVISION header of your program to
return information to the calling program:
PROCEDURE DIVISION RETURNING dataname2

When the called program successfully returns to its caller, the value in dataname2 is
stored into the identifier that you specified in the RETURNING phrase of the CALL
statement:
CALL . . . RETURNING dataname2

CEEPIPI: The results of specifying PROCEDURE DIVISION RETURNING on programs

that are called with the Language Environment preinitialization service (CEEPIPI)
are undefined.

Specifying CALL . . . RETURNING

You can specify the RETURNING phrase of the CALL statement for calls to functions in
C/C++ or to subroutines in COBOL.

It has the following format:

CALL . . . RETURNING dataname2

The return value of the called program is stored into dataname2.

You must define dataname2 in the DATA DIVISION of the calling COBOL program.
The data type of the return value that is declared in the target function must be
identical to the data type of dataname2.

Sharing data by using the EXTERNAL clause

Use the EXTERNAL clause to allow separately compiled programs and methods
(including programs in a batch sequence) to share data items.

Code EXTERNAL on the 01-level data description in the WORKING-STORAGE SECTION of

your program or method. The following rules apply:
v Items that are subordinate to an EXTERNAL group item are themselves EXTERNAL.
v You cannot use the name for the data item as the name for another EXTERNAL
item in the same program.
v You cannot code the VALUE clause for any group item, or subordinate item, that
is EXTERNAL.

In the run unit, any COBOL program or method that has the same data description
for the item as the program containing the item can access and process the data
item. For example, suppose program A has the following data description:
01 EXT-ITEM1 EXTERNAL PIC 99.

Program B could access that data item by having the identical data description in
its WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.

Remember, any program that has access to an EXTERNAL data item can change its
value. Do not use this clause for data items that you need to protect.

Chapter 25. Sharing data 431

Sharing files between programs (external files)
Use the EXTERNAL clause for files to allow separately compiled programs or
methods in the run unit to access common files. It is recommended that you follow
these guidelines:
v Use the same data-name in the FILE STATUS clause of all the programs that
check the file status code.
v For all programs that check the same file status field, code the EXTERNAL clause
on the level-01 data definition for the file status field in each program.

Using external files has these benefits:

v Your main program can reference the record area of the file, although the main
program does not contain any input or output statements.
v Each subprogram can control a single input or output function, such as OPEN or
READ.
v Each program has access to the file.

“Example: using external files”

RELATED REFERENCES
EXTERNAL clause (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Example: using external files

The table below describes the main program and subprograms used in the example
that follows.

Name Function
ef1 The main program, which calls all the subprograms and then verifies the
contents of a record area
ef1openo Opens the external file for output and checks the file status code
ef1write Writes a record to the external file and checks the file status code
ef1openi Opens the external file for input and checks the file status code
ef1read Reads a record from the external file and checks the file status code
ef1close Closes the external file and checks the file status code

Additionally, COPY statements ensure that each subprogram contains an identical

description of the file.

Each program in the example declares a data item with the EXTERNAL clause in its
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION. This item is used for checking file status codes and is
also placed using the COPY statement.

Each program uses three copybooks:

v The first is named efselect and is placed in the FILE-CONTROL paragraph.
Select ef1
Assign To ef1
File Status Is efs1
Organization Is Sequential.
v The second is named effile and is placed in the FILE SECTION.

432 Programming Guide

 Fd ef1 Is External
Record Contains 80 Characters
Recording Mode F.
01 ef-record-1.
02 ef-item-1 Pic X(80).
v The third is named efwrkstg and is placed in the WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
01 efs1 Pic 99 External.

Input-output using external files

Identification Division.
Program-Id.
ef1.
*
* This is the main program that controls the external file
* processing.
*
Environment Division.
Input-Output Section.
File-Control.
Copy efselect.
Data Division.
File Section.
Copy effile.
Working-Storage Section.
Copy efwrkstg.
Procedure Division.
Call “ef1openo”
Call “ef1write”
Call “ef1close”
Call “ef1openi”
Call “ef1read”
If ef-record-1 = “First record” Then
Display “First record correct”
Else
Display “First record incorrect”
Display “Expected: ” “First record”
Display “Found : ” ef-record-1
End-If
Call “ef1close”
Goback.
End Program ef1.
Identification Division.
Program-Id.
ef1openo.
*
* This program opens the external file for output.
*
Environment Division.
Input-Output Section.
File-Control.
Copy efselect.
Data Division.
File Section.
Copy effile.
Working-Storage Section.
Copy efwrkstg.
Procedure Division.
Open Output ef1
If efs1 Not = 0
Display “file status ” efs1 “ on open output”
Stop Run
End-If
Goback.
End Program ef1openo.
Identification Division.

Chapter 25. Sharing data 433

 Program-Id.
ef1write.
*
* This program writes a record to the external file.
*
Environment Division.
Input-Output Section.
File-Control.
Copy efselect.
Data Division.
File Section.
Copy effile.
Working-Storage Section.
Copy efwrkstg.
Procedure Division.
Move “First record” to ef-record-1
Write ef-record-1
If efs1 Not = 0
Display “file status ” efs1 “ on write”
Stop Run
End-If
Goback.
End Program ef1write.
Identification Division.
Program-Id.
ef1openi.
*
* This program opens the external file for input.
*
Environment Division.
Input-Output Section.
File-Control.
Copy efselect.
Data Division.
File Section.
Copy effile.
Working-Storage Section.
Copy efwrkstg.
Procedure Division.
Open Input ef1
If efs1 Not = 0
Display “file status ” efs1 “ on open input”
Stop Run
End-If
Goback.
End Program ef1openi.
Identification Division.
Program-Id.
ef1read.
*
* This program reads a record from the external file.
*
Environment Division.
Input-Output Section.
File-Control.
Copy efselect.
Data Division.
File Section.
Copy effile.
Working-Storage Section.
Copy efwrkstg.
Procedure Division.
Read ef1
If efs1 Not = 0
Display “file status ” efs1 “ on read”
Stop Run
End-If

434 Programming Guide

 Goback.
End Program ef1read.
Identification Division.
Program-Id.
ef1close.
*
* This program closes the external file.
*
Environment Division.
Input-Output Section.
File-Control.
Copy efselect.
Data Division.
File Section.
Copy effile.
Working-Storage Section.
Copy efwrkstg.
Procedure Division.
Close ef1
If efs1 Not = 0
Display “file status ” efs1 “ on close”
Stop Run
End-If
Goback.
End Program ef1close.

Chapter 25. Sharing data 435

436 Programming Guide
Chapter 26. Creating a DLL or a DLL application
Creating a dynamic link library (DLL) or a DLL application is similar to creating a
regular COBOL application. It involves writing, compiling, and linking your source
code.

Special considerations when writing a DLL or a DLL application include:

v Determining how the parts of the load module or the application relate to each
other or to other DLLs
v Deciding what linking or calling mechanisms to use

Depending on whether you want a DLL load module or a load module that
references a separate DLL, you need to use slightly different compiler and
linkage-editor or binder options.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Dynamic link libraries (DLLs)”

RELATED TASKS
“Using CALL identifier with DLLs” on page 441
“Using DLL linkage and dynamic calls together” on page 442
“Using COBOL DLLs with C/C++ programs” on page 446
“Using DLLs in OO COBOL applications” on page 446
“Compiling programs to create DLLs” on page 438
“Linking DLLs” on page 439
“Using procedure and function pointers” on page 420

Dynamic link libraries (DLLs)

A DLL is a load module or a program object that can be accessed from other
separate load modules. A DLL differs from a traditional load module in that it
exports definitions of programs, functions, or variables to DLLs, DLL applications,
or non-DLLs. Therefore, you do not need to link the target routines into the same
load module as the referencing routine. When an application references a separate
DLL for the first time, the system automatically loads the DLL into memory. In
other words, calling a program in a DLL is similar to calling a load module with a
dynamic CALL.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 437

 A DLL application is an application that references imported definitions of
programs, functions, or variables.

Although some functions of z/OS DLLs overlap the functions provided by COBOL
dynamic CALL statements, DLLs have several advantages over regular z/OS load
modules and dynamic calls:
v DLLs are common across COBOL and C/C++, thus providing better
interoperation for applications that use multiple programming languages.
Reentrant COBOL and C/C++ DLLs can also interoperate smoothly.
v You can make calls to programs in separate DLL modules that have long
program names. (Dynamic call resolution truncates program names to eight
characters.) Using the COBOL option PGMNAME(LONGUPPER) or PGMNAME(LONGMIXED)
and the COBOL DLL support, you can make calls between load modules with
names of up to 160 characters.

DLLs are supported by IBM Language Environment, based on function provided

by the z/OS DFSMS program management binder. DLL support is available for
applications running under z/OS in batch or in TSO, CICS, UNIX, or IMS
environments.

RELATED REFERENCES
“PGMNAME” on page 314
Binder support for DLLs (z/OS DFSMS: Program Management)

Compiling programs to create DLLs

When you compile a COBOL program with the DLL option, it becomes enabled for
DLL support. Applications that use DLL support must be reentrant. Therefore, you
must compile them with the RENT compiler option and link them with the RENT
binder option.

In an application with DLL support, use the following compiler options depending
on where the programs or classes are:

Programs or classes in: Compile with:

Root load module DLL, RENT, NOEXPORTALL
DLL load modules used by other load modules DLL, RENT, EXPORTALL

438 Programming Guide

 If a DLL load module includes some programs that are used only from within the
DLL module, you can hide these routines inside the DLL by compiling them with
NOEXPORTALL.

“Example: sample JCL for a procedural DLL application” on page 440

RELATED TASKS
“Linking DLLs”
“Prelinking certain DLLs” on page 441
Chapter 26, “Creating a DLL or a DLL application” on page 437

RELATED REFERENCES
“DLL” on page 299
“EXPORTALL” on page 301
“RENT” on page 316

Linking DLLs
You can link your DLL-enabled object modules into separate DLL load modules, or
you can link them together statically. You can decide whether to package the
application as one module or as several DLL modules at link time.

Use of the DLL support in the DFSMS binder is recommended for linking DLL
applications. The DFSMS binder can directly receive the output of the COBOL
compilers, thus eliminating the prelink step. However, you must use the Language
| Environment prelinker before standard linkage editing if your DLL must reside in
a PDS load library.

A binder-based DLL must reside in a PDSE or in an HFS file rather than in a PDS.

When linking a DLL application by using the DFSMS binder, use the following
binder options:

Type of code Link using binder parameters:

DLL applications DYNAM(DLL), RENT, COMPAT(PM3) or
COMPAT(CURRENT)
Applications that use mixed-case exported CASE(MIXED)
program names

Class definitions or INVOKE statements

You must specify a SYSDEFSD DD statement to indicate the data set where the binder
should create a DLL definition side file. This side file contains IMPORT control
statements for each symbol exported by a DLL. The binder SYSLIN input (the
binding code that references the DLL code) must include the DLL definition side
files for the DLLs that are to be referenced from the module being linked.

If there are programs in the module that you do not want to make available with
DLL linkage, you can edit the definition side file to remove these programs.

“Example: sample JCL for a procedural DLL application” on page 440

Chapter 26. Creating a DLL or a DLL application 439

 RELATED TASKS
Chapter 26, “Creating a DLL or a DLL application” on page 437
“Compiling programs to create DLLs” on page 438
“Prelinking certain DLLs” on page 441

RELATED REFERENCES
Binder support for DLLs (z/OS DFSMS: Program Management)

Example: sample JCL for a procedural DLL application

The following sample shows how to create an application that consists of a main
program calling a DLL subprogram. The first step creates the DLL load module
containing the subprogram DemoDLLSubprogram. The second step creates the
main load module containing the program MainProgram. The third step runs the
application.
//DLLSAMP JOB ,
// TIME=(1),MSGLEVEL=(1,1),MSGCLASS=H,CLASS=A,
// NOTIFY=&SYSUID,USER=&SYSUID
// SET LEPFX=’SYS1’
//*---------------------------------------------------------------------
//* Compile COBOL subprogram, bind to form a DLL.
//*---------------------------------------------------------------------
//STEP1 EXEC IGYWCL,REGION=80M,GOPGM=DEMODLL,
// PARM.COBOL=’RENT,PGMN(LM),DLL,EXPORTALL’,
// PARM.LKED=’RENT,LIST,XREF,LET,MAP,DYNAM(DLL),CASE(MIXED)’
//COBOL.SYSIN DD *
Identification division.
Program-id. “DemoDLLSubprogram”.
Procedure division.
Display “Hello from DemoDLLSubprogram!”.
End program “DemoDLLSubprogram”.
/*
//LKED.SYSDEFSD DD DSN=&&SIDEDECK,UNIT=SYSDA,DISP=(NEW,PASS),
// SPACE=(TRK,(1,1))
//LKED.SYSLMOD DD DSN=&&GOSET(&GOPGM),DSNTYPE=LIBRARY,DISP=(MOD,PASS)
//LKED.SYSIN DD DUMMY
//*---------------------------------------------------------------------
//* Compile and bind COBOL main program
//*---------------------------------------------------------------------
//STEP2 EXEC IGYWCL,REGION=80M,GOPGM=MAINPGM,
// PARM.COBOL=’RENT,PGMNAME(LM),DLL’,
// PARM.LKED=’RENT,LIST,XREF,LET,MAP,DYNAM(DLL),CASE(MIXED)’
//COBOL.SYSIN DD *
Identification division.
Program-id. “MainProgram”.
Procedure division.
Call “DemoDLLSubprogram”
Stop Run.
End program “MainProgram”.
/*
//LKED.SYSIN DD DSN=&&SIDEDECK,DISP=(OLD,DELETE)
//*---------------------------------------------------------------------
//* Execute the main program, calling the subprogram DLL.
//*---------------------------------------------------------------------
//STEP3 EXEC PGM=MAINPGM,REGION=80M
//STEPLIB DD DSN=&&GOSET,DISP=(OLD,DELETE)
// DD DSN=&LEPFX..SCEERUN,DISP=SHR
//SYSOUT DD SYSOUT=*
//CEEDUMP DD SYSOUT=*

440 Programming Guide

Prelinking certain DLLs
You need to use the Language Environment prelinker before standard linkage
editing if the DLL must reside in a PDS load library rather than in a PDSE or an
HFS file.

After compiling your source DLL, prelink the object modules to form a single
object module:
1. Specify a SYSDEFSD DD statement for the prelink step to indicate the data set
where the prelinker should create a DLL definition side file for the DLL. This
side file contains IMPORT prelinker control statements for each symbol exported
by the DLL. The prelinker uses this side file to prelink other modules that
reference the new DLL.
2. Specify the DLLNAME(xxx) prelinker option to indicate the DLL load module
name for the prelinker to use in constructing the IMPORT control statements in
the side file. Alternatively, the prelinker can obtain the DLL load module name
from the NAME prelinker control statement or from the PDS member name in the
SYSMOD DD statement for the prelink step.
3. If this DLL references any other DLLs, include the definition side files for these
DLLs together with the object decks that are input to this prelink step. These
side files instruct the prelinker to resolve the symbolic references in the current
module to the symbols exported from the other DLLs.

Use the linkage editor or binder as usual to create the DLL load module from the
object module produced by the prelinker. Specify the RENT option of the linkage
editor or binder.

RELATED TASKS
“Compiling programs to create DLLs” on page 438
“Linking DLLs” on page 439

Using CALL identifier with DLLs

In a COBOL program that has been compiled with the DLL option, you can use
CALL identifier statements as well as CALL literal statements to make calls to DLLs.
However, there are a few additional considerations for the CALL identifier case.

For the contents of the identifier or for the literal in the CALL statement, use the
name of either of the following programs:
v A nested program in the same compilation unit as is eligible to be called from
the program containing the CALL identifier statement.
v A program in a separately bound DLL module. The target program name must
be exported from the DLL, and the DLL module name must match the exported
name of the target program.

In the nonnested case, the run-time environment interprets the program name in
the identifier according to the setting of the PGMNAME compiler option of the program
containing the CALL statement, and interprets the program name that is exported
from the target DLL according to the setting of the PGMNAME option used when the
target program was compiled.

The search for the target DLL in the hierarchical file system (HFS) is case sensitive.
If the target DLL is a PDS or PDSE member, then the DLL member name must be
eight characters or less. For the purpose of the search for the DLL as a PDS or
PDSE member, the run time automatically converts the name to uppercase.

Chapter 26. Creating a DLL or a DLL application 441

 If the run-time environment cannot resolve the CALL statement in either of these
cases, control is transferred to the ON EXCEPTION or ON OVERFLOW phrase of the CALL
statement. If the CALL statement does not specify one of these phrases in this
situation, Language Environment raises a severity-3 condition.

RELATED TASKS
“Using DLL linkage and dynamic calls together”
“Compiling programs to create DLLs” on page 438
“Linking DLLs” on page 439

RELATED REFERENCES
“DLL” on page 299
“PGMNAME” on page 314
CALL statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
“Search order for DLLs in HFS”

Search order for DLLs in HFS

When you use the hierarchical file system (HFS), the search order for resolving a
DLL reference in a CALL statement depends on the setting of the Language
Environment POSIX run-time option.

If the POSIX run-time option is set to ON, the search order is as follows:
1. The run-time environment looks for the DLL in the HFS. If the LIBPATH
environment variable is set, the run time searches each directory listed.
Otherwise, it searches just the current directory. The search for the DLL in the
HFS is case sensitive.
2. If the run-time environment does not find the DLL in the HFS, it tries to load
the DLL from the MVS load library search order of the caller. In this case, the
DLL name must be eight characters or less. The run time automatically
converts the DLL name to uppercase for this search.

If the POSIX run-time option is set to OFF, the search order is reversed:
1. The run-time environment tries to load the DLL from the search order for the
load library of the caller.
2. If the run-time environment cannot load the DLL from this load library, it tries
to load the DLL from the HFS.

RELATED TASKS
“Using CALL identifier with DLLs” on page 441

RELATED REFERENCES
POSIX (Language Environment Programming Reference)

Using DLL linkage and dynamic calls together

For applications (that is, Language Environment enclaves) that are structured as
multiple, separately bound modules, you should use exclusively one form of
linkage between modules: either dynamic call linkage or DLL linkage. DLL linkage
refers to a call in a program that is compiled with the DLL and NODYNAM options
where the call resolves to an exported name in a separate module. DLL linkage can
also refer to an invocation of a method that is defined in a separate module.

442 Programming Guide

 However, some applications require more flexibility. In these cases, you can use
both DLL linkage and COBOL dynamic call linkage within a Language
Environment enclave if the programs are compiled as follows:

Program A Program B Compile both with:

Contains dynamic call Target of dynamic call NODLL
Uses DLL linkage Contains target program or method DLL

Important: This support is available only in Language Environment V2R9 and

later.

If a program contains a CALL statement for a separately compiled program and you
compile one program with the DLL compiler option and the other program with
NODLL, then the call is supported only if you bind the two programs together in the
same module.

The following diagram shows several separately bound modules that mix dynamic
calls and DLL linkage:

You cannot cancel programs that are called using DLL linkage.

All components of a DLL application must have the same AMODE. The automatic
AMODE switching normally provided by COBOL dynamic calls is not available
for DLL linkages.

Using procedure or function pointers with DLLs

In run units that contain a mix of DLLs and non-DLLs, use procedure and function
pointers with care. When you use the SET procedure-pointer-1 TO ENTRY entry-name or
SET function-pointer-1 TO ENTRY entry-name statement in a program that is compiled
with the NODLL option, you must not pass the pointer to a program that is
compiled with the DLL option. However, when you use this statement in a program
that is compiled with the DLL option, you can pass the pointer to a program that is
in a separately bound DLL module.

If you compile with the NODYNAM and DLL options and entry-name is an identifier, the
identifier value must refer to the entry point name that is exported from a DLL

Chapter 26. Creating a DLL or a DLL application 443

 module. The DLL module name must match the name of the exported entry point.
The following are further considerations in this case:
v The program name that is contained in the identifier is interpreted according to
the setting of the PGMNAME(COMPAT|LONGUPPER|LONGMIXED) compiler option of the
program containing the CALL statement.
v The program name that is exported from the target DLL is interpreted according
to the setting of the PGMNAME option used when compiling the target program.
v The search for the target DLL in the HFS is case sensitive.
v If the target DLL is a PDS or PDSE member, then the DLL member name must
be eight characters or less. For the purpose of the search for the DLL as a PDS or
PDSE member, the name is automatically converted to uppercase.

Calling DLLs from non-DLLs

It is possible to call a DLL from a COBOL program that is compiled with the NODLL
option, but there are restrictions. You can use the following methods to ensure that
the DLL linkage is followed:
v Put the COBOL DLL programs that you want to call from the COBOL non-DLL
programs in the load module that contains the main program. Use static calls
from the COBOL non-DLL programs to call the COBOL DLL programs.
The COBOL DLL programs in the load module that contains the main program
can call COBOL DLL programs in other DLLs.
v Put the COBOL DLL programs in DLLs and call them from COBOL non-DLL
programs with CALL function-pointer, where function-pointer is set to a function
descriptor of the program to be called. You can obtain the address of the
function descriptor for the program in the DLL by calling a C routine that uses
dllload and dllqueryfn.

“Example: calling DLLs from non-DLLs”

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Dynamic link libraries (DLLs)” on page 437

RELATED TASKS
“Using CALL identifier with DLLs” on page 441
“Using procedure and function pointers” on page 420
“Compiling programs to create DLLs” on page 438
“Linking DLLs” on page 439

RELATED REFERENCES
“DLL” on page 299
“EXPORTALL” on page 301

Example: calling DLLs from non-DLLs

The following sample code shows how a COBOL program that is not in a DLL
(COBOL1) can call a COBOL program that is in a DLL (program ooc05R in DLL
OOC05R):
CBL NODYNAM
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
PROGRAM-ID. ’COBOL1’.
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION.
CONFIGURATION SECTION.
INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION.
FILE-CONTROL.
DATA DIVISION.

444 Programming Guide

 FILE SECTION.
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
01 DLL-INFO.
03 DLL-LOADMOD-NAME PIC X(12).
03 DLL-PROGRAM-NAME PIC X(160).
03 DLL-PROGRAM-HANDLE FUNCTION-POINTER.
77 DLL-RC PIC S9(9) BINARY.
77 DLL-STATUS PIC X(1) VALUE ’N’.
88 DLL-LOADED VALUE ’Y’.
88 DLL-NOT-LOADED VALUE ’N’.

PROCEDURE DIVISION.

IF DLL-NOT-LOADED
THEN
* Move the names in. They must be null terminated.
MOVE Z’OOC05R’ TO DLL-LOADMOD-NAME
MOVE Z’ooc05r’ TO DLL-PROGRAM-NAME

* Call the C routine to load the DLL and to get the

* function descriptor address.
CALL ’A1CCDLGT’ USING BY REFERENCE DLL-INFO
BY REFERENCE DLL-RC
IF DLL-RC = 0
THEN
SET DLL-LOADED TO TRUE
ELSE
DISPLAY ’A1CCLDGT failed with rc = ’
DLL-RC
MOVE 16 TO RETURN-CODE
STOP RUN
END-IF
END-IF

* Use the function pointer on the call statement to call the

* program in the DLL.
* Call the program in the DLL.
CALL DLL-PROGRAM-HANDLE

GOBACK.

#include <stdio.h>
#include <dll.h>
#pragma linkage (A1CCDLGT,COBOL)

typedef struct dll_lm {

char dll_loadmod_name[(12]);
char dll_func_name[(160]);
void (*fptr) (void); /* function pointer */
} dll_lm;

void A1CCDLGT (dll_lm *dll, int *rc)

{
dllhandle *handle;
void (*fptr1)(void);
*rc = 0;
/* Load the DLL */
handle = dllload(dll->dll_loadmod_name);
if (handle == NULL) {
perror(“A1CCDLGT failed on call to load DLL./n”);
*rc = 1;
return;
}

/* Get the address of the function */

fptr1 = (void (*)(void))

Chapter 26. Creating a DLL or a DLL application 445

 dllqueryfn(handle,dll->dll_func_name);
if (fptr1 == NULL) {
perror(“A1CCDLGT failed on retrieving function./n”);
*rc = 2;
return;
}
/* Return the function pointer */
dll->fptr = fptr1;
return;
}

Using COBOL DLLs with C/C++ programs

COBOL support for DLLs interoperates with the DLL support in the z/OS C/C++
products, except for COBOL EXTERNAL data. COBOL data items that are declared
with the EXTERNAL attribute are independent of DLL support. These data items are
accessible by name from any COBOL program in the run unit that declares them,
regardless of whether the programs are in DLLs.

In particular, COBOL applications can call functions that are exported from C/C++
DLLs. Similarly, C/C++ applications can call COBOL programs that are exported
from COBOL DLLs.

The COBOL options DLL, RENT, and EXPORTALL work much the same way as the DLL,
RENT, and EXPORTALL options in C/C++. However, the C/C++ compiler produces
DLL-enabled code by default. The DLL option applies only to C.

You can pass a C/C++ DLL function pointer to COBOL and use it within COBOL,
receiving the C/C++ function pointer as a COBOL function-pointer data item.

The following example shows a COBOL call to a C function that returns a function
pointer to a service, followed by a COBOL call to the service.
Identification Division.
Program-id. Demo.
Data Division.
Working-Storage section.
01 fp usage function-pointer.
Procedure Division.
Call “c-function” returning fp.
Call fp.

RELATED TASKS
“Compiling programs to create DLLs” on page 438
“Linking DLLs” on page 439

RELATED REFERENCES
“DLL” on page 299
“EXPORTALL” on page 301
“RENT” on page 316
EXTERNAL (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Using DLLs in OO COBOL applications

You must compile each COBOL class definition using the DLL, THREAD, RENT, and
DBCS compiler options, and link-edit it into a separate DLL module using the RENT
binder option.

446 Programming Guide

RELATED TASKS
Chapter 17, “Compiling, linking, and running OO applications” on page 277
“Compiling programs to create DLLs” on page 438
“Linking DLLs” on page 439

RELATED REFERENCES
“DLL” on page 299
“THREAD” on page 325
“RENT” on page 316
“DBCS” on page 298

Chapter 26. Creating a DLL or a DLL application 447

448 Programming Guide
Chapter 27. Preparing COBOL programs for multithreading
You can run your COBOL programs in multiple threads within a process under
batch, TSO, IMS, or UNIX. There is no explicit COBOL language to use for
multithreaded execution; rather, you compile with the THREAD compiler option.

COBOL does not directly support managing program threads. However, you can
run COBOL programs that you compile with the THREAD compiler option in
multithreaded application servers, in applications that use a C/C++ driver
program to create the threads, in programs that interoperate with Java and use
Java threads, and in applications that use PL/I tasking. In other words, other
programs can call COBOL programs in such a way that the COBOL programs run
in multiple threads within a process or as multiple program invocation instances
within a thread. Your threaded application must run within a single Language
Environment enclave.

Choosing LOCAL-STORAGE or WORKING-STORAGE: Because you must code your

multithreaded programs as recursive, the persistence of data is that of any
recursive program:
v Data items in the LOCAL-STORAGE SECTION are automatically allocated for each
instance of a program invocation. When a program runs in multiple threads
simultaneously, each invocation has a separate copy of LOCAL-STORAGE data.
v Data items in the WORKING-STORAGE SECTION are allocated once for each program
and are thus available in their last-used state to all invocations of the program.

For the data that you want to isolate to an individual program invocation instance,
define the data in the LOCAL-STORAGE SECTION. In general, this choice is appropriate
for working data in threaded programs. If you declare data in WORKING-STORAGE
and your program changes the contents of the data, you must take one of the
following actions:
v Structure your application so that you do not access data in WORKING-STORAGE
simultaneously from multiple threads.
v If you do access data simultaneously from separate threads, write appropriate
serialization code.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Multithreading”

RELATED TASKS
“Choosing THREAD to support multithreading” on page 451
“Transferring control with multithreading” on page 451
“Processing files with multithreading” on page 452
“Handling COBOL limitations with multithreading” on page 454

RELATED REFERENCES
“THREAD” on page 325
PROGRAM-ID paragraph (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Multithreading
To use COBOL support for multithreading, you need to understand how processes,
threads, run units, and program invocation instances relate to each other.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 449

 The operating system and multithreaded applications can handle execution flow
within a process, which is the course of events when all or part of a program runs.
Programs that run within a process can share resources. Processes can be
manipulated. For example, they can have a high or low priority in terms of the
amount of time that the system devotes to running the process.

Within a process, an application can initiate one or more threads, each of which is a
stream of computer instructions that controls that thread. A multithreaded process
begins with one stream of instructions (one thread) and can later create other
instruction streams to perform tasks. These multiple threads can run concurrently.
Within a thread, control is transferred between executing programs.

In a multithreaded environment, a COBOL run unit is the portion of the process

that includes threads with actively executing COBOL programs. The COBOL run
unit continues until no COBOL program is active in the execution stack for any of
the threads. For example, a called COBOL program contains a GOBACK statement
and returns control to a C program. Within the run unit, COBOL programs can call
non-COBOL programs, and vice versa.

Within a thread, control is transferred between separate COBOL and non-COBOL

programs. For example, a COBOL program can call another COBOL program or a
C program. Each separately called program is a program invocation instance.
Program invocation instances of a particular program can exist in multiple threads
within a given process.

The following illustration shows these relationships between processes, threads,

run units, and program invocation instances.

RELATED CONCEPTS
Program Management Model (Language Environment Programming Guide)
Threads (Language Environment Programming Guide)

RELATED TASKS
“Choosing THREAD to support multithreading” on page 451
“Transferring control with multithreading” on page 451
“Processing files with multithreading” on page 452
“Handling COBOL limitations with multithreading” on page 454

450 Programming Guide

 RELATED REFERENCES
“THREAD” on page 325

Choosing THREAD to support multithreading

Select the THREAD compiler option for multithreading support. Choose THREAD if
your program will be called in more than one thread in a single process by an
application. Compiling with THREAD prepares the COBOL program for threading
support. However, compiling with THREAD might reduce the performance of your
program because of the serialization logic that is automatically generated.

In order to run COBOL programs in more than one thread, you must compile all
of the COBOL programs in the run unit with the THREAD option. You must also
compile them with the RENT option and link them with the RENT option of the
binder or linkage editor.

Language restrictions: When you use the THREAD option, you cannot use certain
language elements, as documented in the discussion of the THREAD option.

Recursion: Before you compile a program with the THREAD compiler option, you
must specify the RECURSIVE phrase in the PROGRAM-ID paragraph. If you do not, you
will get an error.

RELATED TASKS
“Sharing data in recursive or multithreaded programs” on page 17

RELATED REFERENCES
“THREAD” on page 325

Transferring control with multithreading

When you write COBOL programs for a multithreaded environment, choose
appropriate program linkage and ending statements.

Using cancel with threaded programs

As in single-threaded environments, a called program is in its initial state when it
is first called within a run unit and when it is first called after a CANCEL to the
called program. Ensure that the program that you name on a CANCEL statement is
not active on any thread. If you try to cancel an active program, a severity-3
Language Environment condition occurs.

Ending a program
Use GOBACK to return to the caller of the program. When you use GOBACK from the
first program in a thread, the thread is terminated. If that thread is the initial
thread in an enclave, the entire enclave is terminated.

Use EXIT PROGRAM as you would GOBACK, except from a main program where it has
no effect.

Use STOP RUN to terminate the entire Language Environment enclave and to return
control to the caller of the main program (which might be the operating system).
All threads that are executing within the enclave are terminated.

Chapter 27. Preparing COBOL programs for multithreading 451

 Preinitializing the COBOL environment
If your threaded application requires preinitialization, use the Language
Environment services (CEEPIPI interface). You cannot use the COBOL-specific
interfaces for preinitialization (run-time option RTEREUS and functions IGZERRE
and ILBOSTP0) to establish a reusable environment from any program compiled
with the THREAD option.

RELATED CONCEPTS
Enclave termination (Language Environment Programming Guide)

RELATED TASKS
“Ending and reentering main programs or subprograms” on page 408

Processing files with multithreading

In your threaded applications, you can code COBOL statements for input and
output in QSAM, VSAM, and line-sequential files. Each file definition (FD) has an
implicit serialization lock. This lock is used with automatic serialization logic
during the input or output operation that is associated with the execution of the
following statements:
v OPEN
v CLOSE
v READ
v WRITE
v REWRITE
v START
v DELETE

Automatic serialization also occurs for the implicit MOVE that is associated with the
following statements:
WRITE recordname FROM identifier
READ file-name INTO identifier

Automatic serialization is not applied to any statements specified within the

following conditional phrases:
v AT END
v NOT AT END
v INVALID KEY
v NOT INVALID KEY
v AT END-OF-PAGE
v NOT AT END-OF-PAGE

File definition storage

On all program invocations, the storage that is associated with a file definition
(such as FD records and the record area that is associated with the SAME RECORD
AREA clause) is allocated and available in its last-used state. All threads of execution
share this storage. You can depend on automatic serialization for this storage
during the execution of the OPEN, CLOSE, READ, WRITE, REWRITE, START, and DELETE
statements, but not between uses of these statements.

452 Programming Guide

Recommended usage for file access
The following file organizations are recommended for use in your threaded
programs:
v Sequential organization
v Line-sequential organization
v Relative organization with sequential access
v Indexed organization with sequential access

To take full advantage of automatic serialization and to avoid explicitly writing

your own serialization logic, use one of the recommended file organizations and
use the following usage patterns when you access files in threaded programs:

Recommended usage pattern for input

OPEN INPUT fn
. . .
READ fn INTO local-storage item
. . .
* Process the record from the local-storage item
. . .
CLOSE fn

Recommended usage pattern for output

OPEN OUTPUT fn
. . .
* Construct output record in local-storage item
. . .
WRITE rec FROM local-storage item
. . .
CLOSE fn

With other usage patterns, you must take one of the following actions:
v Verify the safety of your application logic. Ensure that two instances of the
program are never simultaneously active on different threads.
v Code explicit serialization logic by using calls to POSIX services.

To avoid serialization problems when you access a file from multiple threads,
define the data items that are associated with the file (such as file-status data items
and key arguments) in the LOCAL-STORAGE SECTION.

“Example: usage patterns of file input and output with multithreading”

RELATED TASKS
“Closing QSAM files” on page 132
“Closing VSAM files” on page 162
“Coding ERROR declaratives” on page 227
“Calling UNIX/POSIX APIs” on page 400

Example: usage patterns of file input and output with

multithreading
The following examples show the need for explicit serialization logic when you
deviate from the recommended usage pattern for file input and output in your
multithreaded applications. These examples also show the unexpected behavior
that might result if you fail to handle serialization properly.

Chapter 27. Preparing COBOL programs for multithreading 453

 In each example, two instances of one program that contains the sample operations
are running within one run unit on two different threads.

Example 1
READ F1
. . .
REWRITE R1

The second thread might execute the READ statement after the READ statement is
executed on the first thread but before the REWRITE statement is executed on the
first thread. The REWRITE statement might not update the record that you intended.
To ensure the results that you want, write explicit serialization logic.

Example 2
READ F1
. . .
* Process the data in the FD record description entry for F1
. . .

The second thread might execute the READ statement while the first thread is still
processing a record in the FD record description entry. The second READ statement
would overlay the record that the first thread is still processing. To avoid this
problem, use the recommended technique of READ F1 INTO local-storage-item.

Other cases: You must give similar consideration to other usage patterns that
involve a sequence of related input and output operations, such as START followed
by READ NEXT, or READ followed by DELETE. Take appropriate steps to ensure the
correct processing of file input and output.

Handling COBOL limitations with multithreading

Some COBOL applications depend on subsystems or other applications. In a
multithreaded environment, these dependencies and others result in some
limitations on COBOL programs.

In general, you must synchronize access to resources that are visible to the
application within a run unit. Exceptions to this requirement are DISPLAY and
ACCEPT, which you can use from multiple threads and supported COBOL file I/O
statements with the recommended usage pattern; all synchronization is provided
by the run-time environment.

CICS: You cannot run multithreaded applications in the CICS environment. You
can run in the CICS environment a COBOL program that has been compiled with
the THREAD option and that is part of an application that has no multiple threads or
PL/I tasks.

Recursive: Because you must code the programs in a multithreaded application as

recursive, you must adhere to all the restrictions and programming considerations
that apply to recursive programs, such as not coding nested programs.

Reentrancy: You must compile your multithreading programs with the RENT
compiler option and link them with the RENT option of the binder or linkage editor.

POSIX and PL/I: If you use POSIX threads in your multithreaded application, you
must specify the Language Environment run-time option POSIX(ON). If the

454 Programming Guide

application uses PL/I tasking, you must specify POSIX(OFF). You cannot mix
POSIX threads and PL/I tasks in the same application.

AMODE: You must run your multithreaded applications with AMODE 31. You can
run a COBOL program that has been compiled with the THREAD option with AMODE
24 as part of an application that does not have multiple threads or PL/I tasks.

Asynchronous signals: In a threaded application your COBOL program might be

interrupted by an asynchronous signal or interrupt. If your program contains logic
that cannot tolerate such an interrupt, you must disable the interrupts for the
duration of that logic. Call a C/C++ function to set the signal mask appropriately.

Older COBOL programs: To run your COBOL programs on multiple threads of a

multithreaded application, you must compile them with Enterprise COBOL and
use the THREAD option. If you run programs that have been compiled with older
compilers, you must follow these restrictions:
v Run applications that contain OS/VS COBOL programs only on the initial
thread (IPT).
v Run applications that contain programs compiled by other older compilers only
on one thread, although it can be a thread other than the initial thread.

IGZBRDGE, IGZETUN, and IGZEOPT: Do not use IGZBRDGE, the macro for
converting static calls to dynamic calls, with programs that have been compiled
with the THREAD option; this macro is not supported. Do not use the modules
IGZETUN (for storage tuning) or IGZEOPT (for run-time options) for applications
where the main program has been compiled with the THREAD option; these CSECTs
are ignored.

UPSI switches: All programs and all threads in an application share a single copy
of UPSI switches. If you modify switches in a threaded application, you must code
appropriate serialization logic.

RELATED TASKS
“Making recursive calls” on page 419
“Processing files with multithreading” on page 452

Chapter 27. Preparing COBOL programs for multithreading 455

456 Programming Guide
Part 5. Developing object-oriented programs
Chapter 28. Writing object-oriented programs 459 WORKING-STORAGE SECTION for defining
Example: accounts. . . . . . . . . . . . 460 factory data . . . . . . . . . . . . . 489
Subclasses . . . . . . . . . . . . . 461 Defining a factory method . . . . . . . . 489
Defining a class . . . . . . . . . . . . 462 Hiding a factory or static method . . . . 491
CLASS-ID paragraph for defining a class . . . 464 Invoking factory or static methods . . . . 491
REPOSITORY paragraph for defining a class 464 Example: defining a factory (with methods) . . 492
Example: external class-names and Java Account class . . . . . . . . . . . 492
packages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 465 CheckingAccount class (subclass of Account) 494
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION for defining Check class . . . . . . . . . . . . 496
class instance data . . . . . . . . . . . 466 TestAccounts client program . . . . . . 496
Example: defining a class . . . . . . . . 467 Output produced by the TestAccounts client
Defining a class instance method . . . . . . . 467 program . . . . . . . . . . . . . 497
METHOD-ID paragraph for defining a class Wrapping procedure-oriented COBOL programs 497
instance method . . . . . . . . . . . 468 Structuring OO applications . . . . . . . . 498
INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION for defining a class Examples: COBOL applications that you can run
instance method . . . . . . . . . . . 469 using the java command . . . . . . . . 498
DATA DIVISION for defining a class instance Displaying a message: . . . . . . . . 498
method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 469 Echoing the input strings: . . . . . . . 499
PROCEDURE DIVISION for defining a class
instance method . . . . . . . . . . . 470 Chapter 29. Communicating with Java methods 501
USING phrase for obtaining passed Accessing JNI services . . . . . . . . . . 501
arguments . . . . . . . . . . . . 470 Handling Java exceptions . . . . . . . . 502
RETURNING phrase for returning a value 471 Throwing an exception from your COBOL
Overriding an instance method . . . . . . 471 program . . . . . . . . . . . . . 503
Overloading an instance method . . . . . . 472 Catching a Java exception . . . . . . . 503
Coding attribute (get and set) methods . . . . 473 Example: handling Java exceptions . . . . 503
Example: coding a get method . . . . . 473 Managing local and global references . . . . 504
Example: defining a method . . . . . . . 474 Deleting, saving, and freeing local references 504
Account class . . . . . . . . . . . 474 JNI services . . . . . . . . . . . 505
Check class . . . . . . . . . . . . 475 Java access controls . . . . . . . . . . 505
Defining a client . . . . . . . . . . . . 475 Sharing data with Java . . . . . . . . . . 505
REPOSITORY paragraph for defining a client 477 Coding interoperable data types in COBOL and
DATA DIVISION for defining a client . . . . 478 Java . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 506
Choosing LOCAL-STORAGE or Declaring arrays and strings for Java . . . . 506
WORKING-STORAGE . . . . . . . . 478 Manipulating Java arrays . . . . . . . . 507
Comparing and setting object references . . . 479 Example: processing a Java int array . . . 509
Invoking methods (INVOKE) . . . . . . . 480 Manipulating Java strings . . . . . . . . 510
USING phrase for passing arguments . . . 480 Services for Unicode . . . . . . . . . 510
RETURNING phrase for obtaining a returned Services for EBCDIC . . . . . . . . . 510
value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 481 Services for UTF-8. . . . . . . . . . 512
Invoking overridden superclass methods . . 481 Example: J2EE client written in COBOL . . . . 512
Creating and initializing instances of classes . . 482 COBOL client (ConverterClient.cbl) . . . . . 512
Instantiating Java classes . . . . . . . 482 Java client (ConverterClient.java) . . . . . . 515
Instantiating COBOL classes . . . . . . 482
Freeing instances of classes . . . . . . . . 483
Example: defining a client . . . . . . . . 484
Defining a subclass . . . . . . . . . . . 484
CLASS-ID paragraph for defining a subclass 485
REPOSITORY paragraph for defining a subclass 486
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION for defining
subclass instance data . . . . . . . . . 486
Defining a subclass instance method . . . . 487
Example: defining a subclass (with methods) 487
CheckingAccount class (subclass of Account) 487
Defining a factory section . . . . . . . . . 488

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 457

458 Programming Guide
 Chapter 28. Writing object-oriented programs
When you write an object-oriented (OO) program, you have to determine what
classes you need and the methods and data that the classes need to do their work.

OO programs are based on objects (entities that encapsulate state and behavior) and
their classes, methods, and data. A class is a template that defines the state and the
capabilities of an object. Usually a program creates and works with multiple object
instances (or simply, instances) of a class, that is, multiple objects that are members
of that class. The state of each instance is stored in data known as instance data,
and the capabilities of each instance are called instance methods. A class can define
data that is shared by all instances of the class, known as factory or static data, and
methods that are supported independently of any object instance, known as factory
or static methods.

Using Enterprise COBOL, you can:

v Define classes, with methods and data implemented in COBOL.
v Create instances of Java and COBOL classes.
v Invoke methods on Java and COBOL objects.
v Write classes that inherit from Java classes or other COBOL classes.
v Define and invoke overloaded methods.

In Enterprise COBOL programs, you can call the services provided by the Java
Native Interface (JNI) to obtain Java-oriented capabilities in addition to the basic
OO capabilities available directly in the COBOL language.

In Enterprise COBOL classes, you can code CALL statements to interface with
procedural COBOL programs. Thus COBOL class definition syntax can be
especially useful for writing wrapper classes for procedural COBOL logic, enabling
existing COBOL code to be accessed from Java.

Java code can create instances of COBOL classes, invoke methods of these classes,
and can extend COBOL classes.

| It is recommended that you develop and run OO COBOL programs and Java
programs in the z/OS UNIX System Services environment.

“Example: accounts” on page 460

RELATED TASKS
“Defining a class” on page 462
“Defining a class instance method” on page 467
“Defining a client” on page 475
“Defining a subclass” on page 484
“Defining a factory section” on page 488
Chapter 17, “Compiling, linking, and running OO applications” on page 277
Upgrading IBM COBOL programs (Enterprise COBOL Compiler and Run-Time
Migration Guide)

RELATED REFERENCES
The Java Language Specification

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 459

Example: accounts
Consider the example of a bank in which customers can open accounts and make
deposits to and withdrawals from their accounts. You could represent an account
by a general-purpose class, called Account. Because there are many customers,
multiple instances of the Account class could exist simultaneously.

Once you determine the classes that you need, your next step is to determine the
methods that the classes need to do their work. An Account class for example must
provide the following services:
v Open the account.
v Get the current balance.
v Deposit to the account.
v Withdraw from the account.
v Report account status.

The following methods for an Account class meet the above needs:
init Open an account and assign it an account number.
getBalance
Return the current balance of the account.
credit Deposit a given sum to the account.
debit Withdraw a given sum from the account.
print Display account number and account balance.

As you design an Account class and its methods, you discover the need for the
class to keep some instance data. Typically, an Account object would need the
following instance data:
v Account number
v Account balance
v Customer information: name, address, home phone, work phone, social security
number, and so forth

To keep the example simple, however, it is assumed that the account number and
account balance are the only instance data that the Account class needs.

Diagrams are helpful when you design classes and methods. The following
diagram depicts a first attempt at a design of the Account class:

The words in parentheses in the diagrams are the names of the instance data, and
the words following a number and colon are the names of the instance methods.

460 Programming Guide

 The structure below shows how the classes relate to each other, and is known as
the inheritance hierarchy. The Account class inherits directly from the class
java.lang.Object.

Subclasses
In the account example, Account is a general-purpose class. However, a bank could
have many different types of accounts: checking accounts, savings accounts,
mortgage loans, and so forth, all of which have all the general characteristics of
accounts but could have additional characteristics not shared by all types of
accounts.

For example, a CheckingAccount class could have, in addition to the account

number and account balance that all accounts have, a check fee that applies to each
check written on the account. A CheckingAccount class also needs a method to
process checks (that is, to read the amount, debit the payer, credit the payee, and
so forth). So it makes sense to define CheckingAccount as a subclass of Account,
and to define in the subclass the additional instance data and instance methods
that the subclass needs.

As you design the CheckingAccount class, you discover the need for a class that
models checks. An instance of class Check would need, at a minimum, instance
data for payer, payee, and the check amount.

Many additional classes (and database and transaction-processing logic) would

need to be designed in a real-world OO account system, but have been omitted
from this discussion to keep the example simple.

The updated inheritance diagram is shown below.

Chapter 28. Writing object-oriented programs 461

 A number and colon with no method-name following them indicate that the
method with that number is inherited from the superclass.

Multiple inheritance: You cannot use multiple inheritance in your OO COBOL

applications. All classes that you define must have exactly one parent, and
java.lang.Object must be at the root of every inheritance hierarchy. The class
structure of any object-oriented system defined in an OO COBOL application is
thus a tree.

“Example: defining a method” on page 474

RELATED TASKS
“Defining a class”
“Defining a class instance method” on page 467
“Defining a subclass” on page 484

Defining a class
A COBOL class definition consists of an IDENTIFICATION DIVISION and ENVIRONMENT
DIVISION, followed by an optional factory definition and optional object definition,
followed by an END CLASS marker:

Section Purpose Syntax

IDENTIFICATION Name the class. Provide “CLASS-ID paragraph for defining a class”
DIVISION inheritance information on page 464 (required)
(required) for it. AUTHOR paragraph (optional)
INSTALLATION paragraph (optional)
DATE-WRITTEN paragraph (optional)
DATE-COMPILED paragraph (optional)

462 Programming Guide

Section Purpose Syntax
ENVIRONMENT Describe the computing CONFIGURATION SECTION (required)
DIVISION environment. Relate “REPOSITORY paragraph for defining a
(required) class-names used within class” on page 464 (required)
the class definition to the SOURCE-COMPUTER paragraph (optional)
corresponding external OBJECT-COMPUTER paragraph (optional)
class-names known SPECIAL-NAMES paragraph (optional)
outside the compilation
unit.
Factory definition Define data to be shared IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
(optional) by all instances of the FACTORY.
class, and methods DATA DIVISION.
supported independently WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
of any object instance. * (Factory data here)
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
* (Factory methods here)
END FACTORY.
Object definition Define instance data and IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
(optional) instance methods. OBJECT.
DATA DIVISION.
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
* (Instance data here)
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
* (Instance methods here)
END OBJECT.

If you specify the SOURCE-COMPUTER, OBJECT-COMPUTER, or SPECIAL-NAMES paragraphs

in a class CONFIGURATION SECTION, they apply to the entire class definition
including all methods that the class introduces.

A class CONFIGURATION SECTION can consist of the same entries as a program

CONFIGURATION SECTION, except that a class CONFIGURATION SECTION cannot contain
an INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION. You define an INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION only in the
individual methods that require it rather than defining it at the class level.

As shown above, you define instance data and methods in the DATA DIVISION and
PROCEDURE DIVISION, respectively, within the OBJECT paragraph of the class
definition. In classes that require data and methods that are to be associated with
the class itself rather than with individual object instances, define a separate DATA
DIVISION and PROCEDURE DIVISION within the FACTORY paragraph of the class
definition.

Each COBOL class definition must be in a separate source file.

“Example: defining a class” on page 467

RELATED TASKS
“WORKING-STORAGE SECTION for defining class instance data” on page 466
“Defining a class instance method” on page 467
“Defining a subclass” on page 484
“Defining a factory section” on page 488
“Describing the computing environment” on page 7
Chapter 17, “Compiling, linking, and running OO applications” on page 277

RELATED REFERENCES
COBOL class definition structure (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Chapter 28. Writing object-oriented programs 463

 CLASS-ID paragraph for defining a class
Use the CLASS-ID paragraph in the IDENTIFICATION DIVISION to name a class and
provide inheritance information for it. For example:
Identification Division. Required
Class-id. Account inherits Base. Required

Use the CLASS-ID paragraph to identify these classes:

v The class that you are defining (Account in the example above).
v The immediate superclass from which the class that you are defining inherits its
characteristics. The superclass can be implemented in Java or COBOL.
In the example above, inherits Base indicates that the Account class inherits
methods and data from the class known within the class definition as Base. It is
recommended that you use the name Base in your OO COBOL programs to refer
to java.lang.Object.

A class-name must use single-byte characters and must conform to the normal
rules of formation for a COBOL user-defined word.

Use the REPOSITORY paragraph in the CONFIGURATION SECTION of the ENVIRONMENT

DIVISION to associate the superclass name (Base in the example above) with the
name of the superclass as it is known externally (java.lang.Object for Base). You
can optionally also specify the name of the class that you are defining (Account in
the example above) in the REPOSITORY paragraph and associate it with its
corresponding external class-name.

You must derive all classes directly or indirectly from the java.lang.Object class.

RELATED TASKS
“REPOSITORY paragraph for defining a class”

RELATED REFERENCES
CLASS-ID paragraph (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
User-defined words (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

REPOSITORY paragraph for defining a class

Use the REPOSITORY paragraph to declare to the compiler that the specified words
are class-names when you use them within a class definition, and to optionally
relate the class-names to the corresponding external class-names (the class-names
as they are known outside the compilation unit). External class-names are case
sensitive and must conform to Java rules of formation. For example, in the Account
class definition you might code this:
Environment Division. Required
Configuration Section. Required
Repository. Required
Class Base is “java.lang.Object” Required
Class Account is “Account”. Optional

The REPOSITORY paragraph entries indicate that the external class-names of the
classes referred to as Base and Account within the class definition are
java.lang.Object and Account, respectively.

In the REPOSITORY paragraph, you must code an entry for each class-name that you
explicitly reference in the class definition. For example:
v Base

464 Programming Guide

v A superclass from which the class that you are defining inherits
v The classes that you reference in methods within the class definition

In a REPOSITORY paragraph entry, you must specify the external class-name if the
name contains non-COBOL characters.

You must specify the external class-name for any referenced class that is part of a
Java package. For such a class, specify the external class-name as the fully qualified
name of the package, followed by period (.), followed by the simple name of the
Java class. For example, the Object class is part of the java.lang package, so specify
its external name as java.lang.Object as shown above.

An external class-name that you specify in the REPOSITORY paragraph must be an

alphanumeric literal that conforms to the rules of formation for a fully qualified
Java class-name.

If you do not include the external class-name in a REPOSITORY paragraph entry, the
external class-name is formed from the class-name in the following manner:
v The class-name is converted to uppercase.
v Each hyphen is changed to zero.
v The first character, if a digit, is changed:
– 1-9 are changed to A-I.
– 0 is changed to J.

In the example above, class Account is known externally as Account (in mixed
case) because the external name is spelled using mixed case.

You can optionally include in the REPOSITORY paragraph an entry for the class that
you are defining (Account in this example). You must include an entry for the class
that you are defining if the external class-name contains non-COBOL characters, or
to specify a fully package-qualified class-name if the class is to be part of a Java
package.

“Example: external class-names and Java packages”

RELATED TASKS
“Declaring arrays and strings for Java” on page 506

RELATED REFERENCES
REPOSITORY paragraph (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
Identifiers (The Java Language Specification)
Packages (The Java Language Specification)

Example: external class-names and Java packages

The following example shows how external class-names are determined from
entries in a REPOSITORY paragraph:
Environment division.
Configuration section.
Repository.
Class Employee is “com.acme.Employee”
Class JavaException is “java.lang.Exception”
Class Orders.

Chapter 28. Writing object-oriented programs 465

 The local class-names (the class-names as used within the class definition), the Java
packages that contain the classes, and the associated external class-names are as
shown in the table below:

Local class-name Java package External class-name

Employee com.acme com.acme.Employee
JavaException java.lang java.lang.Exception
Orders (unnamed) ORDERS

The external class-name (the name following the class-name and optional IS in the
REPOSITORY paragraph entry) is composed of the fully qualified name of the
package (if any) followed by a period, followed by the simple name of the class.

RELATED TASKS
“REPOSITORY paragraph for defining a class” on page 464

RELATED REFERENCES
REPOSITORY paragraph (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

WORKING-STORAGE SECTION for defining class instance

data
Use the WORKING-STORAGE SECTION in the DATA DIVISION of the OBJECT paragraph to
describe the instance data that a COBOL class needs, that is, the data to be allocated
for each instance of the class. The OBJECT keyword, which you must immediately
precede with an IDENTIFICATION DIVISION declaration, indicates the beginning of
the definitions of the instance data and instance methods for the class. For
example, the definition of the instance data for the Account class might look like
this:
Identification division.
Object.
Data division.
Working-storage section.
01 AccountNumber pic 9(6).
01 AccountBalance pic S9(9) value zero.
. . .
End Object.

The instance data is allocated when an object instance is created, and exists until
garbage collection of the instance by the Java run time.

You can initialize simple instance data by using VALUE clauses as shown above. You
can initialize more complex instance data by coding customized methods to create
and initialize instances of classes.

COBOL instance data is equivalent to Java private nonstatic member data. No

other class or subclass (nor factory method in the same class, if any) can reference
COBOL instance data directly. Instance data is global to all instance methods that
the OBJECT paragraph defines. If you want to make instance data accessible from
outside the OBJECT paragraph, define attribute (get or set) instance methods for
doing so.

The syntax of the WORKING-STORAGE SECTION for instance data declaration is

generally the same as in a program, with these exceptions:
v You cannot use the EXTERNAL attribute.

466 Programming Guide

 v You can use the GLOBAL attribute, but it has no effect.

RELATED TASKS
“Creating and initializing instances of classes” on page 482
“Freeing instances of classes” on page 483
“Defining a factory method” on page 489
“Coding attribute (get and set) methods” on page 473

Example: defining a class

This example shows a first attempt at the definition of the Account class, excluding
method definitions.
cbl dll,thread,pgmname(longmixed)
Identification Division.
Class-id. Account inherits Base.
Environment Division.
Configuration section.
Repository.
Class Base is “java.lang.Object”
Class Account is “Account”.
*
Identification division.
Object.
Data division.
Working-storage section.
01 AccountNumber pic 9(6).
01 AccountBalance pic S9(9) value zero.
*
Procedure Division.
*
* (Instance method definitions here)
*
End Object.
*
End class Account.

RELATED TASKS
Chapter 17, “Compiling, linking, and running OO applications” on page 277
“Defining a client” on page 475

Defining a class instance method

Define COBOL instance methods in the PROCEDURE DIVISION of the OBJECT paragraph
of a class definition. An instance method defines an operation that is supported for
each object instance of a class.

A COBOL instance method definition consists of four divisions (like a COBOL

program), followed by an END METHOD marker:

Division Purpose Syntax

IDENTIFICATION Name a method. “METHOD-ID paragraph for defining a
(required) class instance method” on page 468
(required)
AUTHOR paragraph (optional)
INSTALLATION paragraph (optional)
DATE-WRITTEN paragraph (optional)
DATE-COMPILED paragraph (optional)

Chapter 28. Writing object-oriented programs 467

 Division Purpose Syntax
ENVIRONMENT Relate the file-names used “INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION for defining a
(optional) in a method to the class instance method” on page 469
corresponding file-names (optional)
known to the operating
system.
DATA (optional) Define external files. “DATA DIVISION for defining a class
Allocate a copy of the instance method” on page 469 (optional)
data.
PROCEDURE Code the executable “PROCEDURE DIVISION for defining a
(optional) statements to complete class instance method” on page 470
the service provided by (optional)
the method.

Definition: The signature of a method consists of the name of the method and the
number and type of its formal parameters. (You define the formal parameters of a
COBOL method in the USING phrase of the method’s PROCEDURE DIVISION header.)

Within a class definition, you do not need to make each method-name unique, but
you do need to give each method a unique signature. (You overload methods by
giving them the same name but a different signature.)

COBOL instance methods are equivalent to Java public nonstatic methods.

“Example: defining a method” on page 474

RELATED TASKS
“PROCEDURE DIVISION for defining a class instance method” on page 470
“Overloading an instance method” on page 472
“Overriding an instance method” on page 471
“Invoking methods (INVOKE)” on page 480
“Defining a subclass instance method” on page 487
“Defining a factory method” on page 489

METHOD-ID paragraph for defining a class instance method

Use the METHOD-ID paragraph to name an instance method. Immediately precede
the METHOD-ID paragraph with an IDENTIFICATION DIVISION declaration to indicate
the beginning of the method definition. For example, the definition of the credit
method in the Account class begins like this:
Identification Division.
Method-id. “credit”.

Code the method-name as an alphanumeric or national literal. The method-name is

processed in a case-sensitive manner and must conform to the rules of formation
for a Java method-name.

Other Java or COBOL methods or programs (that is, clients) use the method-name
to invoke a method.

In the example above, credit is the method-name.

RELATED TASKS
“Invoking methods (INVOKE)” on page 480
“Using national data (Unicode) in COBOL” on page 105

468 Programming Guide

 RELATED REFERENCES
Meaning of method names (The Java Language Specification)
Identifiers (The Java Language Specification)
METHOD-ID paragraph (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION for defining a class instance method

The ENVIRONMENT DIVISION of an instance method can have only one section, the
INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION. For example, if the Account class defined a method that
read information from a file, the Account class might have an INPUT-OUTPUT
SECTION that looks like this:
Environment Division.
Input-Output Section.
File-Control.
Select account-file Assign AcctFile.

The INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION relates the file-names used in a method definition to the
corresponding file-names as they are known to the operating system. The syntax
for the INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION of a method is the same as the syntax for the
INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION of a program.

RELATED TASKS
“Describing the computing environment” on page 7

RELATED REFERENCES
INPUT-OUTPUT section (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

DATA DIVISION for defining a class instance method

The DATA DIVISION of an instance method consists of any of the following four
sections:
FILE SECTION
The same as a program FILE SECTION, except that a method FILE SECTION
can define EXTERNAL files only.
LOCAL-STORAGE SECTION
A separate copy of the LOCAL-STORAGE data is allocated for each invocation
of the method, and is freed on return from the method.
If you specify the VALUE clause on a data item, the item is initialized to that
value on each invocation of the method.
The method LOCAL-STORAGE SECTION is similar to a program LOCAL-STORAGE
SECTION.
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION
A single copy of the WORKING-STORAGE data is allocated. The data persists in
its last-used state until the run unit ends. The same copy of the data is
used whenever the method is invoked, regardless of the invoking object or
thread.
If you specify the VALUE clause on a data item, the item is initialized to that
value on the first invocation of the method. You can specify the EXTERNAL
clause for the data items.
The method WORKING-STORAGE SECTION is similar to a program
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
LINKAGE SECTION
The same as a program LINKAGE SECTION.

Chapter 28. Writing object-oriented programs 469

 If you define a data item with the same name in both the DATA DIVISION of an
instance method and the DATA DIVISION of the OBJECT paragraph, a reference in the
method to that data-name refers only to the method data item. The method DATA
DIVISION takes precedence.

RELATED TASKS
“Describing the data” on page 12
“Sharing data by using the EXTERNAL clause” on page 431

RELATED REFERENCES
Data Division overview (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

PROCEDURE DIVISION for defining a class instance method

Code the executable statements to implement the service that an instance method
provides in the PROCEDURE DIVISION of the instance method.

You can code most COBOL statements in the PROCEDURE DIVISION of a method that
you can code in the PROCEDURE DIVISION of a program. You cannot, however, code
the following statements in a method:
v ENTRY
v EXIT PROGRAM
v The following obsolete elements of COBOL 85:
– ALTER
– GOTO without a specified procedure-name
– SEGMENT-LIMIT
– USE FOR DEBUGGING

Additionally, because you must compile all COBOL class definitions with the
THREAD compiler option, you cannot use SORT or MERGE statements in a COBOL
method.

You can code the EXIT METHOD or GOBACK statement in an instance method to return
control to the invoking client. Both statements have the same effect. If you specify
the RETURNING phrase upon invocation of the method, the EXIT METHOD or GOBACK
statement returns the value of the data item to the invoking client.

An implicit EXIT METHOD is generated as the last statement in the PROCEDURE

DIVISION of each method.

You can specify STOP RUN in a method; doing so terminates the entire run unit
including all threads executing within it.

You must terminate a method definition with an END METHOD marker. For example,
the following statement marks the end of the credit method:
End method “credit”.

USING phrase for obtaining passed arguments

Specify the formal parameters to a method, if any, in the USING phrase of the
method’s PROCEDURE DIVISION header. You must specify that the arguments are
passed BY VALUE. Define each parameter as a level-01 or level-77 item in the
method’s LINKAGE SECTION. The data type of each parameter must be one of the
types that are interoperable with Java.

470 Programming Guide

 RETURNING phrase for returning a value
Specify the data item to be returned as the method result, if any, in the RETURNING
phrase of the method’s PROCEDURE DIVISION header. Define the data item as a
level-01 or level-77 item in the method’s LINKAGE SECTION. The data type of the
return value must be one of the types that are interoperable with Java.

RELATED TASKS
“Coding interoperable data types in COBOL and Java” on page 506
“Overriding an instance method”
“Overloading an instance method” on page 472
“Comparing and setting object references” on page 479
“Invoking methods (INVOKE)” on page 480
Chapter 17, “Compiling, linking, and running OO applications” on page 277

RELATED REFERENCES
“THREAD” on page 325
The Procedure Division header (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Overriding an instance method

An instance method defined in a subclass is said to override an inherited instance
method that would otherwise be accessible in the subclass if the two methods have
the same signature.

To override a superclass instance method m1 in a COBOL subclass, define an

instance method m1 in the subclass that has the same name and whose PROCEDURE
DIVISION USING phrase (if any) has the same number and type of formal
parameters as the superclass method has. (If the superclass method is implemented
in Java, you must code formal parameters that are interoperable with the data
types of the corresponding Java parameters.) When a client invokes m1 on an
instance of the subclass, the subclass method rather than the superclass method is
invoked.

For example, the Account class defines a method debit whose LINKAGE SECTION
and PROCEDURE DIVISION header look like this:
Linkage section.
01 inDebit pic S9(9) binary.
Procedure Division using by value inDebit.

If you define a CheckingAccount subclass and want it to have a debit method that
overrides the debit method defined in the Account superclass, define the subclass
method with exactly one input parameter also specified as pic S9(9) binary. If a
client invokes debit using an object reference to a CheckingAccount instance, the
CheckingAccount debit method (rather than the debit method in the Account
superclass) is invoked.

The presence or absence of a method return value and the data type of the return
value used in the PROCEDURE DIVISION RETURNING phrase (if any) must be identical
in the subclass instance method and the overridden superclass instance method.

An instance method must not override a factory method in a COBOL superclass

nor a static method in a Java superclass.

“Example: defining a method” on page 474

RELATED TASKS
“PROCEDURE DIVISION for defining a class instance method” on page 470

Chapter 28. Writing object-oriented programs 471

 “Coding interoperable data types in COBOL and Java” on page 506
“Invoking methods (INVOKE)” on page 480
“Invoking overridden superclass methods” on page 481
“Defining a subclass” on page 484
“Hiding a factory or static method” on page 491

RELATED REFERENCES
Inheritance, overriding, and hiding (The Java Language Specification)

Overloading an instance method

Two methods supported in a class (whether defined in the class or inherited from
a superclass) are said to be overloaded if they have the same name but different
signatures.

You overload methods when you want to enable clients to invoke different
versions of a method, for example, to initialize data using different sets of
parameters.

To overload a method, define a method whose PROCEDURE DIVISION USING phrase

(if any) has a different number or type of formal parameters than an identically
named method supported in the same class.

For example, the Account class defines an instance method init that has exactly
one formal parameter. The LINKAGE SECTION and PROCEDURE DIVISION header of the
init method look like this:
Linkage section.
01 inAccountNumber pic S9(9) binary.
Procedure Division using by value inAccountNumber.

Clients invoke this method to initialize an Account instance with a given account
number (and a default account balance of zero) by passing exactly one argument
that matches the data type of inAccountNumber.

But the Account class could define, for example, a second instance method init
that has an additional formal parameter that allows the opening account balance to
also be specified. The LINKAGE SECTION and PROCEDURE DIVISION header of this init
method could look like this:
Linkage section.
01 inAccountNumber pic S9(9) binary.
01 inBalance pic S9(9) binary.
Procedure Division using by value inAccountNumber
inBalance.

Clients could invoke either init method by passing arguments that match the
signature of the desired method.

The presence or absence of a method return value does not have to be consistent in
overloaded methods, and the data type of the return value given in the PROCEDURE
DIVISION RETURNING phrase (if any) does not have to be identical in overloaded
methods.

You can overload factory methods in exactly the same way that you overload
instance methods.

The rules for overloaded method definition and resolution of overloaded method
invocations are based on the corresponding rules for Java.

472 Programming Guide

 RELATED TASKS
“Invoking methods (INVOKE)” on page 480
“Defining a factory method” on page 489

RELATED REFERENCES
Overloading (The Java Language Specification)

Coding attribute (get and set) methods

You can provide access to an instance variable X from outside the class in which X
is defined by coding accessor (get) or mutator (set) methods for X.

Instance variables in COBOL are private. The class that defines instance variables
fully encapsulates them, and only the instance methods defined in the same OBJECT
paragraph can access them directly. Normally a well-designed object-oriented
application does not need to access instance variables from outside the class.

COBOL does not directly support the concept of a public instance variable as
defined in Java and other object-oriented languages, nor the concept of a class
attribute as defined by CORBA. (A CORBA attribute is an instance variable that has
an automatically generated get method for accessing the value of the variable, and
an automatically generated set method for modifying the value of the variable if
the variable is not read-only.)

“Example: coding a get method”

RELATED TASKS
“WORKING-STORAGE SECTION for defining class instance data” on page 466
“Processing the data” on page 17

Example: coding a get method

In the Account class you could define an instance method, getBalance, to return the
value of the instance variable AccountBalance to a client. Define getBalance and
AccountBalance in the OBJECT paragraph of the Account class definition:
Identification Division.
Class-id. Account inherits Base.
* (ENVIRONMENT DIVISION not shown)
* (FACTORY paragraph not shown)
*
Identification division.
Object.
Data division.
Working-storage section.
01 AccountBalance pic S9(9) value zero.
* (Other instance data not shown)
*
Procedure Division.
*
Identification Division.
Method-id. “getBalance”.
Data division.
Linkage section.
01 outBalance pic S9(9) binary.
*
Procedure Division returning outBalance.
Move AccountBalance to outBalance.
End method “getBalance”.
*

Chapter 28. Writing object-oriented programs 473

 * (Other instance methods not shown)
End Object.
*
End class Account.

Example: defining a method

This example adds to the previous example (“Example: defining a class” on
page 467) the instance method definitions of the Account class, and shows the
definition of the Java Check class.

Account class
cbl dll,thread,pgmname(longmixed)
Identification Division.
Class-id. Account inherits Base.
Environment Division.
Configuration section.
Repository.
Class Base is “java.lang.Object”
Class Account is “Account”.
*
* (FACTORY paragraph not shown)
*
Identification division.
Object.
Data division.
Working-storage section.
01 AccountNumber pic 9(6).
01 AccountBalance pic S9(9) value zero.
*
Procedure Division.
*
* init method to initialize the account:
Identification Division.
Method-id. “init”.
Data division.
Linkage section.
01 inAccountNumber pic S9(9) binary.
Procedure Division using by value inAccountNumber.
Move inAccountNumber to AccountNumber.
End method “init”.
*
* getBalance method to return the account balance:
Identification Division.
Method-id. “getBalance”.
Data division.
Linkage section.
01 outBalance pic S9(9) binary.
Procedure Division returning outBalance.
Move AccountBalance to outBalance.
End method “getBalance”.
*
* credit method to deposit to the account:
Identification Division.
Method-id. “credit”.
Data division.
Linkage section.
01 inCredit pic S9(9) binary.
Procedure Division using by value inCredit.
Add inCredit to AccountBalance.
End method “credit”.
*
* debit method to withdraw from the account:
Identification Division.
Method-id. “debit”.
Data division.

474 Programming Guide

 Linkage section.
01 inDebit pic S9(9) binary.
Procedure Division using by value inDebit.
Subtract inDebit from AccountBalance.
End method “debit”.
*
* print method to display formatted account number and balance:
Identification Division.
Method-id. “print”.
Data division.
Local-storage section.
01 PrintableAccountNumber pic ZZZZZZ999999.
01 PrintableAccountBalance pic $$$$,$$$,$$9CR.
Procedure Division.
Move AccountNumber to PrintableAccountNumber
Move AccountBalance to PrintableAccountBalance
Display “ Account: ” PrintableAccountNumber
Display “ Balance: ” PrintableAccountBalance.
End method “print”.
*
End Object.
*
End class Account.

Check class
/**
* A Java class for check information
*/
public class Check {
private CheckingAccount payer;
private Account payee;
private int amount;

public Check(CheckingAccount inPayer, Account inPayee, int inAmount) {

payer=inPayer;
payee=inPayee;
amount=inAmount;
}

public int getAmount() {

return amount;
}

public Account getPayee() {

return payee;
}
}

RELATED TASKS
Chapter 17, “Compiling, linking, and running OO applications” on page 277

Defining a client
A program or method that requests services from one or more methods in a class
is called a client of that class.

In a COBOL or Java client, you can:

v Create object instances of Java and COBOL classes.
v Invoke instance methods on Java and COBOL objects.
v Invoke COBOL factory methods and Java static methods.

Chapter 28. Writing object-oriented programs 475

 In a COBOL client, you can also call services provided by the Java Native Interface
(JNI).

A COBOL client program consists of the usual four divisions:

Division Purpose Syntax

IDENTIFICATION Name a client. Code as usual, except that a client program
(required) must be:
v Recursive (declared RECURSIVE in the
PROGRAM-ID paragraph)
v Thread-enabled (compiled with the
THREAD option, and conforming to the
coding guidelines for threaded
applications)
ENVIRONMENT Describe the computing CONFIGURATION SECTION (required)
(required) environment. Relate “REPOSITORY paragraph for defining a
class-names used in the client” on page 477 (required)
client to the
corresponding external
class-names known
outside the compilation
unit.
DATA (optional) Describe the data that the “DATA DIVISION for defining a client” on
client needs. page 478 (optional)
PROCEDURE Create instances of Code using INVOKE, IF, and SET statements.
(optional) classes, manipulate object
reference data items, and
invoke methods.

A method can request services from another method. Therefore a COBOL method
can act as a client and use the statements discussed in this section.

Because you must compile all COBOL programs that contain object-oriented syntax
or that interoperate with Java with the THREAD compiler option, you cannot use the
following language elements in a COBOL client:
v SORT or MERGE statements
v Nested programs

Any programs that you compile with the THREAD compiler option must be
recursive. You must specify the RECURSIVE clause in the PROGRAM-ID paragraph of
each OO COBOL client program.

“Example: defining a client” on page 484

RELATED TASKS
Chapter 17, “Compiling, linking, and running OO applications” on page 277
Chapter 27, “Preparing COBOL programs for multithreading” on page 449
Chapter 29, “Communicating with Java methods” on page 501
“Coding interoperable data types in COBOL and Java” on page 506
“Creating and initializing instances of classes” on page 482
“Comparing and setting object references” on page 479
“Invoking methods (INVOKE)” on page 480
“Invoking factory or static methods” on page 491

476 Programming Guide

 RELATED REFERENCES
“THREAD” on page 325

REPOSITORY paragraph for defining a client

Use the REPOSITORY paragraph in the CONFIGURATION SECTION of the ENVIRONMENT
DIVISION to declare to the compiler that the specified words are class-names when
you use them in a COBOL client, and to optionally relate the class-names to the
corresponding external class-names (the class-names as they are known outside the
compilation unit). External class-names are case sensitive, and must conform to
Java rules of formation. For example, in a client program that uses the Account
and Check classes you might code this:
Environment division. Required
Configuration section. Required
Source-Computer. IBM-390.
Object-Computer. IBM-390.
Repository. Required
Class Account is “Account”
Class Check is “Check”.

The REPOSITORY paragraph entries indicate that the external class-names of the
classes referred to as Account and Check within the client are Account and Check,
respectively.

In the REPOSITORY paragraph, you must code an entry for each class-name that you
explicitly reference in the client.

In a REPOSITORY paragraph entry, you must specify the external class-name if the
name contains non-COBOL characters.

You must specify the external class-name for any referenced class that is part of a
Java package. For such a class, specify the external class-name as the fully qualified
name of the package, followed by period (.), followed by the simple name of the
Java class.

An external class-name that you specify in the REPOSITORY paragraph must be an

alphanumeric literal that conforms to the rules of formation for a fully qualified
Java class-name.

If you do not include the external class-name in a REPOSITORY paragraph entry, the
external class-name is formed from the class-name in the same manner as it is
when an external class-name is not included in a REPOSITORY paragraph entry in a
class definition. In the example above, class Account and class Check are known
externally as Account and Check (in mixed case), respectively, because the external
names are spelled using mixed case.

The SOURCE-COMPUTER, OBJECT-COMPUTER, and SPECIAL-NAMES paragraphs of the

CONFIGURATION SECTION are optional.

RELATED TASKS
“REPOSITORY paragraph for defining a class” on page 464

RELATED REFERENCES
REPOSITORY paragraph (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
Identifiers (The Java Language Specification)
Packages (The Java Language Specification)

Chapter 28. Writing object-oriented programs 477

 DATA DIVISION for defining a client
You can use any of the sections of the DATA DIVISION to describe the data that the
client needs. For example:
Data Division.
Local-storage section.
01 anAccount usage object reference Account.
01 aCheckingAccount usage object reference CheckingAccount.
01 aCheck usage object reference Check.
01 payee usage object reference Account.
. . .

Because a client references classes, it needs one or more special data items called
object references, that is, references to instances of the classes. All requests to
instance methods require an object reference to an instance of a class in which the
method is supported (that is, either defined or available by inheritance). You code
object references to refer to instances of Java classes using the same syntax as you
use to code object references to refer to instances of COBOL classes. In the example
above, the phrase usage object reference indicates an object reference data item.

All four object references above are called typed object references because a
class-name appears after the OBJECT REFERENCE phrase. A typed object reference can
refer only to an instance of the class named in the OBJECT REFERENCE phrase or to
one of its subclasses. Thus anAccount can refer to instances of the Account class or
one of its subclasses, but cannot refer to instances of any other class. Similarly,
aCheck can refer only to instances of the Check class or any subclasses that it
might have.

Another type of object reference, not shown above, does not have a class-name
after the OBJECT REFERENCE phrase. Such a reference is called a universal object
reference, which means that it can refer to instances of any class. Avoid coding
universal object references, because they are interoperable with Java in only very
limited circumstances (when used in the RETURNING phrase of the INVOKE
class-name NEW . . . statement).

You must define, in the REPOSITORY paragraph of the CONFIGURATION SECTION,

class-names that you use in the OBJECT REFERENCE phrase.

Choosing LOCAL-STORAGE or WORKING-STORAGE

You can in general use the WORKING-STORAGE SECTION to define working data that a
client program needs. However, if the program could simultaneously run on
multiple threads, you might instead want to define the data in the LOCAL-STORAGE
SECTION, as shown above. Each thread has access to a separate copy of
LOCAL-STORAGE data but shares access to a single copy of WORKING-STORAGE data. If
you define the data in the WORKING-STORAGE SECTION, you need to synchronize
access to the data or ensure that no two threads can access it simultaneously.

RELATED TASKS
Chapter 27, “Preparing COBOL programs for multithreading” on page 449
“Coding interoperable data types in COBOL and Java” on page 506
“Invoking methods (INVOKE)” on page 480
“REPOSITORY paragraph for defining a client” on page 477

RELATED REFERENCES
RETURNING phrase (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

478 Programming Guide

Comparing and setting object references
You can compare object references by using conditional statements. For example,
code either IF statement below to check whether the object reference anAccount
refers to no object instance:
If anAccount = Null . . .
If anAccount = Nulls . . .

You can code a call to the JNI service IsSameObject to check whether two object
references, object1 and object2, refer to the same object instance or whether each
refers to no object instance. To ensure that the arguments and return value are
interoperable with Java and to establish addressability to the callable service, code
the following data definitions and statements preceding the call to IsSameObject:
Local-storage Section.
. . .
01 is-same Pic X.
88 is-same-false Value X’00’.
88 is-same-true Value X’01’ Through X’FF’.
Linkage Section.
Copy JNI.
Procedure Division.
Set Address Of JNIEnv To JNIEnvPtr
Set Address Of JNINativeInterface To JNIEnv
. . .
Call IsSameObject Using By Value JNIEnvPtr object1 object2
Returning is-same
If is-same-true . . .

Within a method you can check whether an object reference refers to the object
instance on which the method was invoked by coding a call to IsSameObject that
compares the object reference and SELF.

You can instead invoke the Java equals method (inherited from java.lang.Object) to
determine if two object references refer to the same object instance.

You can make an object reference refer to no object instance by using the SET
statement. For example:
Set anAccount To Null.

You can also make one object reference refer to the same instance as another object
reference does by using the SET statement. For example:
Set anotherAccount To anAccount.

This SET statement causes anotherAccount to refer to the same object instance as
anAccount does. If the receiver (anotherAccount) is a universal object reference, the
sender (anAccount) can be either a universal or a typed object reference. If the
receiver is a typed object reference, the sender must be a typed object reference
bound to the same class as the receiver or to one of its subclasses.

Within a method you can make an object reference refer to the object instance on
which the method was invoked by setting it to SELF. For example:
Set anAccount To Self.

RELATED TASKS
“Coding interoperable data types in COBOL and Java” on page 506
“Accessing JNI services” on page 501

Chapter 28. Writing object-oriented programs 479

 RELATED REFERENCES
IsSameObject (The Java Native Interface)

Invoking methods (INVOKE)

In a Java client, you can create object instances of classes that were implemented in
COBOL and invoke methods on those objects. Use standard Java syntax to do so.

In a COBOL client, you can invoke methods defined in Java or COBOL classes by
coding the INVOKE statement. For example:
Invoke Account “createAccount”
using by value 123456
returning anAccount
Invoke anAccount “credit” using by value 500.

The first statement uses the class-name Account to invoke a method called
createAccount, which must be either a Java static method or a COBOL factory
method supported (that is, either defined or inherited) in the Account class. using
by value 123456 indicates that 123456 is an input argument to the method, passed
by value. 123456 and anAccount must conform to the definition of the formal
parameters and return type, respectively, of the (possibly overloaded)
createAccount method.

The second INVOKE statement uses the returned object reference anAccount to
invoke the instance method credit defined in the Account class. The input
argument 500 must conform to the definition of the formal parameters of the
(possibly overloaded) credit method.

Code the name of the method to be invoked either as a literal or as an identifier

whose value at run time matches the method-name in the signature of the target
method. The method-name must be an alphanumeric or national literal or data
item, and is interpreted in a case-sensitive manner.

For example, when you code an INVOKE statement using an object reference (as in
the second statement above), the statement begins with one of the following two
forms:
Invoke objRef “literal-name” . . .
Invoke objRef identifier-name . . .

When the method-name is an identifier, you must define the object reference
(objRef) as USAGE OBJECT REFERENCE with no specified type, that is, as a universal
object reference.

If an invoked method is not supported in the class to which the object reference
refers, a severity-3 Language Environment condition is raised at run time unless
you code the ON EXCEPTION phrase of the INVOKE statement.

You can use the optional scope terminator END-INVOKE with the INVOKE statement.

The INVOKE statement does not set the RETURN-CODE special register.

USING phrase for passing arguments

Specify the arguments to a method, if any, in the USING phrase of the INVOKE
statement. Code the data types of the arguments so that they match the signature
of the intended target method. If the target method is overloaded, the data types of
the arguments are used to select from among the methods that have the same
name.

480 Programming Guide

You must specify that the arguments are passed BY VALUE, which means that the
arguments are not affected by any change to the corresponding formal parameters
in the invoked method. The data type of each argument must be one of the types
that are interoperable with Java.

RETURNING phrase for obtaining a returned value

Specify the data item to be returned as the method result, if any, in the RETURNING
phrase of the INVOKE statement. Define the returned item in the DATA DIVISION of
the client.

The item that you specify in the RETURNING phrase of the INVOKE statement must
conform to the type returned by the target method:
v If the target method is implemented in COBOL and the returned item is not an
object reference, code the DATA DIVISION definition of the returned item exactly
like the definition of the RETURNING item in the target method.
v If the target method is implemented in Java, code the DATA DIVISION definition
of the returned item to be interoperable with the returned Java data item.
v If the returned item is an object reference, code the DATA DIVISION definition of
the returned item as an object reference typed to the same class as the object
reference returned by the target method.

In all cases, the data type of the returned value must be one of the types that are
interoperable with Java.

RELATED TASKS
“Overloading an instance method” on page 472
“Coding interoperable data types in COBOL and Java” on page 506
“PROCEDURE DIVISION for defining a class instance method” on page 470
“Invoking overridden superclass methods”
“Invoking factory or static methods” on page 491
“Using national data (Unicode) in COBOL” on page 105

RELATED REFERENCES
INVOKE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Invoking overridden superclass methods

Sometimes within a class you need to invoke an overridden superclass method
instead of invoking a method with the same signature that is defined in the current
class.

For example, suppose that the CheckingAccount class overrides the debit instance
method defined in its immediate superclass, Account. You could invoke the
Account debit method within a method in the CheckingAccount class by coding
this statement:
Invoke Super “debit” Using By Value amount.

You would define amount as PIC S9(9) BINARY to match the signature of the debit
methods.

The CheckingAccount class overrides the print method that is defined in the
Account class. Because the print method has no formal parameters, a method in
the CheckingAccount class could invoke the superclass print method with this
statement:
Invoke Super “print”.

Chapter 28. Writing object-oriented programs 481

 The keyword SUPER indicates that you want to invoke a superclass method rather
than a method in the current class. (SUPER is an implicit reference to the object used
in the invocation of the currently executing method.)

“Example: accounts” on page 460

RELATED TASKS
“Overriding an instance method” on page 471

RELATED REFERENCES
INVOKE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Creating and initializing instances of classes

Before you can use the instance methods defined in a Java or COBOL class, you
must first create an instance of the class. To create a new instance of class
class-name and to obtain a reference object-reference to the created object, code a
statement of this form:
INVOKE class-name NEW . . . RETURNING object-reference

You must define object-reference in the DATA DIVISION of the client.

When you code the INVOKE . . . NEW statement within a method, and the use of
the returned object reference is not limited to the duration of the method
invocation (for example, if you use it as the method return value), you must
convert the returned object reference to a global reference by calling the JNI service
NewGlobalRef:
Call NewGlobalRef using by value JNIEnvPtr object-reference
returning object-reference

If you do not call NewGlobalRef, the returned object reference is only a local
reference, which means that it is automatically freed after the method returns.

To obtain addressability to the NewGlobalRef service, code the statement COPY JNI
in the LINKAGE SECTION of the method, and code these two statements in the
PROCEDURE DIVISION of the method before the call to NewGlobalRef:
Set address of JNIEnv to JNIEnvPtr
Set address of JNINativeInterface to JNIEnv

Instantiating Java classes

To instantiate a Java class, you can invoke any parameterized constructor that the
class supports by coding the USING phrase in the INVOKE . . . NEW statement
immediately before the RETURNING phrase, passing BY VALUE the number and types
of arguments that match the signature of the constructor. The data type of each
argument must be one of the types that are interoperable with Java. To invoke the
default (parameterless) constructor, omit the USING phrase.

For example, to create an instance of the Check class, initialize its instance data,
and obtain reference aCheck to the Check instance created, you could code this
statement in a COBOL client:
Invoke Check New
using by value aCheckingAccount, payee, 125
returning aCheck

Instantiating COBOL classes

To instantiate a COBOL class, you can specify either a typed or universal object
reference in the RETURNING phrase of the INVOKE . . . NEW statement. However,

482 Programming Guide

 you cannot code the USING phrase: the instance data is initialized as specified in the
VALUE clauses in the class definition. Thus the INVOKE . . . NEW statement is useful
for instantiating COBOL classes that have only simple instance data.

For example, the following statement creates an instance of the Account class,
initializes the instance data as specified in VALUE clauses in the WORKING-STORAGE
SECTION of the OBJECT paragraph of the Account class definition, and provides
reference outAccount to the new instance:
Invoke Account New returning outAccount

To make it possible to initialize COBOL instance data that cannot be initialized

using VALUE clauses alone, when designing a COBOL class you must define a
parameterized creation method in the FACTORY paragraph and a parameterized
initialization method in the OBJECT paragraph:
1. In the parameterized factory creation method, do these steps:
a. Code INVOKE class-name NEW RETURNING objectRef to create an instance of
class-name and to give initial values to the instance data items that have
VALUE clauses.
b. Call the JNI service NewGlobalRef to convert objectRef from a local to a
global reference.
c. Invoke the parameterized initialization method on the instance (objectRef),
passing BY VALUE the arguments that were supplied to the factory method.
2. In the initialization method, code logic to complete the instance data
initialization using the values supplied through the formal parameters.

Then to create an instance of the COBOL class and properly initialize it, the client
invokes the parameterized factory method, passing BY VALUE the desired
arguments.

“Example: defining a factory (with methods)” on page 492

RELATED TASKS
“Accessing JNI services” on page 501
“Managing local and global references” on page 504
“DATA DIVISION for defining a client” on page 478
“Invoking methods (INVOKE)” on page 480
“Defining a factory section” on page 488
“Coding interoperable data types in COBOL and Java” on page 506

RELATED REFERENCES
VALUE clause (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
INVOKE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Freeing instances of classes

You do not need to take any action to free individual object instances of any class.
No syntax is available for doing so.

The Java run-time system automatically performs garbage collection, that is, it
reclaims the memory for objects that are no longer in use.

There could be times, however, when you need to explicitly free local or global
references to objects within a native COBOL client in order to permit garbage
collection of the referenced objects to occur.

Chapter 28. Writing object-oriented programs 483

 RELATED TASKS
“Managing local and global references” on page 504

Example: defining a client

This example shows a small client program of the Account class (as seen in
“Example: defining a method” on page 474). The program does this:
1. Invokes a factory method createAccount to create an Account instance with a
default balance of zero
2. Invokes the instance method credit to deposit $500 to the new account
3. Invokes the instance method print to display the account status
cbl dll,thread,pgmname(longmixed)
Identification division.
Program-id. “TestAccounts” recursive.
Environment division.
Configuration section.
Repository.
Class Account is “Account”.
Data Division.
* Working data is declared in LOCAL-STORAGE instead of
* WORKING-STORAGE so that each thread has its own copy:
Local-storage section.
01 anAccount usage object reference Account.
*
Procedure division.
Test-Account-section.
Display “Test Account class”
* Create account 123456 with 0 balance:
Invoke Account “createAccount”
using by value 123456
returning anAccount
* Deposit 500 to the account:
Invoke anAccount “credit” using by value 500
Invoke anAccount “print”
Display space
*
Stop Run.
End program “TestAccounts”.

“Example: defining a factory (with methods)” on page 492

RELATED TASKS
“Defining a factory method” on page 489
“Invoking factory or static methods” on page 491
Chapter 17, “Compiling, linking, and running OO applications” on page 277

Defining a subclass
You can make a class (called a subclass, derived class, or child class) a
specialization of another class (called a superclass, base class, or parent class). A
subclass inherits the methods and instance data of its superclasses, and is related
to its superclasses by an is-a relationship. For example, if subclass P inherits from
superclass Q, and subclass Q inherits from superclass S, then an instance of P is an
instance of Q and also (by transitivity) an instance of S. An instance of P inherits
the methods and data of Q and S.

Restriction: You cannot use multiple inheritance in your COBOL programs. Each
COBOL class that you define must have exactly one immediate superclass that is

484 Programming Guide

 implemented in Java or COBOL, and each class must be derived directly or
indirectly from java.lang.Object. The semantics of inheritance are as defined by
Java.

Using subclasses has several advantages:

v Reuse of code. Through inheritance, a subclass can reuse methods that already
exist in a superclass.
v Specialization. In a subclass you can add new methods to handle cases that the
superclass does not handle. You can also add new data items that the superclass
does not need.
v Change in action. A subclass can override a method that it inherits from a
superclass by defining a method of the same signature as that in the superclass.
When you override a method, you might make only a few minor changes or
completely change what the method does.

The structure and syntax of a subclass definition are identical to those of a class
definition: Define instance data and methods in the DATA DIVISION and PROCEDURE
DIVISION, respectively, within the OBJECT paragraph of the subclass definition. In
subclasses that require data and methods that are to be associated with the
subclass itself rather than with individual object instances, define a separate DATA
DIVISION and PROCEDURE DIVISION within the FACTORY paragraph of the subclass
definition.

COBOL instance data is private. A subclass can access the instance data of a
COBOL superclass only if the superclass defines attribute (get or set) instance
methods for doing so.

“Example: accounts” on page 460

“Example: defining a subclass (with methods)” on page 487

RELATED TASKS
“Defining a class” on page 462
“Overriding an instance method” on page 471
“Coding attribute (get and set) methods” on page 473
“Defining a subclass instance method” on page 487
“Defining a factory section” on page 488

RELATED REFERENCES
Inheritance, overriding, and hiding (The Java Language Specification)
COBOL class definition structure (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

CLASS-ID paragraph for defining a subclass

Use the CLASS-ID paragraph to name the subclass and indicate from which
immediate Java or COBOL superclass it inherits its characteristics. For example:
Identification Division. Required
Class-id. CheckingAccount inherits Account. Required

In the example above, CheckingAccount is the subclass being defined.

CheckingAccount inherits all the methods of the class known within the subclass
definition as Account. CheckingAccount methods can access Account instance data
only if the Account class provides attribute (get or set) methods for doing so.

You must specify the name of the immediate superclass in the REPOSITORY
paragraph in the CONFIGURATION SECTION of the ENVIRONMENT DIVISION. You can
optionally associate the superclass name with the name of the class as it is known

Chapter 28. Writing object-oriented programs 485

 externally. You can also specify the name of the subclass that you are defining
(here, CheckingAccount) in the REPOSITORY paragraph and associate it with its
corresponding external class-name.

RELATED TASKS
“CLASS-ID paragraph for defining a class” on page 464
“Coding attribute (get and set) methods” on page 473
“REPOSITORY paragraph for defining a subclass”

REPOSITORY paragraph for defining a subclass

Use the REPOSITORY paragraph to declare to the compiler that the specified words
are class-names when you use them within a subclass definition, and to optionally
relate the class-names to the corresponding external class-names (the class-names
as they are known outside the compilation unit). For example, in the
CheckingAccount subclass definition you might code this:
Environment Division. Required
Configuration Section. Required
Repository. Required
Class CheckingAccount is “CheckingAccount” Optional
Class Check is “Check” Required
Class Account is “Account”. Required

The REPOSITORY paragraph entries indicate that the external class-names of the
classes referred to as CheckingAccount, Check, and Account within the subclass
definition are CheckingAccount, Check, and Account, respectively.

In the REPOSITORY paragraph, you must code an entry for each class-name that you
explicitly reference in the subclass definition. For example:
v A user-defined superclass from which the subclass that you are defining inherits
v The classes that you reference in methods within the subclass definition

The rules for coding REPOSITORY paragraph entries in a subclass are identical to
those for coding REPOSITORY paragraph entries in a class.

RELATED TASKS
“REPOSITORY paragraph for defining a class” on page 464

RELATED REFERENCES
REPOSITORY paragraph (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

WORKING-STORAGE SECTION for defining subclass instance

data
Use the WORKING-STORAGE SECTION in the DATA DIVISION of the subclass OBJECT
paragraph to describe any instance data that the subclass needs in addition to the
instance data defined in its superclasses. Use the same syntax that you use to
define instance data in a class.

For example, the definition of the instance data for the CheckingAccount subclass
of the Account class might look like this:
Identification division.
Object.
Data division.
Working-storage section.
01 CheckFee pic S9(9) value 1.
. . .
End Object.

486 Programming Guide

 RELATED TASKS
“WORKING-STORAGE SECTION for defining class instance data” on page 466

Defining a subclass instance method

A subclass inherits the methods of its superclasses. In a subclass definition, you
can override any instance method that the subclass inherits by defining an instance
method that has the same signature as the inherited method. In a subclass
definition you can also define new methods that the subclass needs.

The structure and syntax of a subclass instance method are identical to those of a
class instance method. Define subclass instance methods in the PROCEDURE DIVISION
of the OBJECT paragraph of the subclass definition.

“Example: defining a subclass (with methods)”

RELATED TASKS
“Defining a class instance method” on page 467
“Overriding an instance method” on page 471
“Overloading an instance method” on page 472

Example: defining a subclass (with methods)

This example shows the instance method definitions for the CheckingAccount
subclass of the Account class (as seen in “Example: defining a method” on
page 474):
v The processCheck method invokes the Java instance methods getAmount and
getPayee of the Check class to get the check data. It invokes the credit and
debit instance methods inherited from the Account class to credit the payee and
debit the payer of the check.
v The print method overrides the print instance method defined in the Account
class. It invokes the overridden print method to display account status, and also
displays the check fee. CheckFee is an instance data item defined in the subclass.

CheckingAccount class (subclass of Account)

cbl dll,thread,pgmname(longmixed)
Identification Division.
Class-id. CheckingAccount inherits Account.
Environment Division.
Configuration section.
Repository.
Class CheckingAccount is “CheckingAccount”
Class Check is “Check”
Class Account is “Account”.
*
* (FACTORY paragraph not shown)
*
Identification division.
Object.
Data division.
Working-storage section.
01 CheckFee pic S9(9) value 1.
Procedure Division.
*
* processCheck method to get the check amount and payee,
* add the check fee, and invoke inherited methods debit
* to debit the payer and credit to credit the payee:
Identification Division.
Method-id. “processCheck”.
Data division.
Local-storage section.

Chapter 28. Writing object-oriented programs 487

 01 amount pic S9(9) binary.
01 payee usage object reference Account.
Linkage section.
01 aCheck usage object reference Check.
*
Procedure Division using by value aCheck.
Invoke aCheck “getAmount” returning amount
Invoke aCheck “getPayee” returning payee
Invoke payee “credit” using by value amount
Add checkFee to amount
Invoke self “debit” using by value amount.
End method “processCheck”.
*
* print method override to display account status:
Identification Division.
Method-id. “print”.
Data division.
Local-storage section.
01 printableFee pic $$,$$$,$$9.
Procedure Division.
Invoke super “print”
Move CheckFee to printableFee
Display “ Check fee: ” printableFee.
End method “print”.
*
End Object.
*
End class CheckingAccount.

RELATED TASKS
Chapter 17, “Compiling, linking, and running OO applications” on page 277
“Invoking methods (INVOKE)” on page 480
“Overriding an instance method” on page 471
“Invoking overridden superclass methods” on page 481

Defining a factory section

Use the FACTORY paragraph in a class definition to define data and methods that
are to be associated with the class itself rather than with individual object
instances:
v COBOL factory data is equivalent to Java private static data. A single copy of the
data is instantiated for the class and is shared by all object instances of the class.
You most commonly use factory data when you want to gather data from all the
instances of a class. For example, you could define a factory data item to keep a
running total of the number of instances of the class that are created.
v COBOL factory methods are equivalent to Java public static methods. The
methods are supported by the class independently of any object instance.
You most commonly use factory methods to customize object creation when you
cannot use VALUE clauses alone to initialize instance data.

By contrast, you use the OBJECT paragraph in a class definition to define data that
is created for each object instance of the class, and methods that are supported for
each object instance of the class.

A factory definition consists of three divisions, followed by an END FACTORY

statement:

488 Programming Guide

 Division Purpose Syntax
IDENTIFICATION Identify the start of the IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
(required) factory definition. FACTORY.
DATA (optional) Describe data that is “WORKING-STORAGE SECTION for
allocated once for the defining factory data” (optional)
class (as opposed to data
allocated for each instance
of a class).
PROCEDURE Define factory methods. Factory method definitions: “Defining a
(optional) factory method”

“Example: defining a factory (with methods)” on page 492

RELATED TASKS
“Defining a class” on page 462
“Creating and initializing instances of classes” on page 482
“Defining a factory method”
“Wrapping procedure-oriented COBOL programs” on page 497
“Structuring OO applications” on page 498

WORKING-STORAGE SECTION for defining factory data

Use the WORKING-STORAGE SECTION in the DATA DIVISION of the FACTORY paragraph
to describe the factory data that a COBOL class needs, that is, statically allocated
data to be shared by all object instances of the class. The FACTORY keyword, which
you must immediately precede with an IDENTIFICATION DIVISION declaration,
indicates the beginning of the definitions of the factory data and factory methods
for the class. For example, the definition of the factory data for the Account class
might look like this:
Identification division.
Factory.
Data division.
Working-storage section.
01 NumberOfAccounts pic 9(6) value zero.
. . .
End Factory.

You can initialize simple factory data by using VALUE clauses as shown above.

COBOL factory data is equivalent to Java private static data. No other class or
subclass (nor instance method in the same class, if any) can reference COBOL
factory data directly. Factory data is global to all factory methods that the FACTORY
paragraph defines. If you want to make factory data accessible from outside the
FACTORY paragraph, define factory attribute (get or set) methods for doing so.

RELATED TASKS
“Coding attribute (get and set) methods” on page 473
“Creating and initializing instances of classes” on page 482

Defining a factory method

Define COBOL factory methods in the PROCEDURE DIVISION of the FACTORY paragraph
of a class definition. A factory method defines an operation that is supported by a
class independently of any object instance of the class.

Chapter 28. Writing object-oriented programs 489

 You typically define factory methods for classes whose instances require complex
initialization, that is, to values that you cannot assign by using VALUE clauses alone.
Within a factory method you can invoke instance methods to initialize the instance
data. A factory method cannot directly access instance data.

You can code factory attribute (get and set) methods to make factory data
accessible from outside the FACTORY paragraph, for example, to make the data
accessible from instance methods in the same class or from a client program. For
example, the Account class could define a factory method getNumberOfAccounts
to return the current tally of the number of accounts.

You can use factory methods to wrap procedure-oriented COBOL programs so that
| they are accessible from Java programs. You can code a factory method called main
| to enable you to run an OO application by using the java command, and to
| structure your applications in keeping with standard Java practice. See the related
| tasks for details.

In defining factory methods, you use the same syntax that you use to define
instance methods. A COBOL factory method definition consists of four divisions
(like a COBOL program), followed by an END METHOD marker:

Division Purpose Syntax

IDENTIFICATION Same as for a class Same as for a class instance method
(required) instance method (required)
ENVIRONMENT Same as for a class Same as for a class instance method
(optional) instance method
DATA (optional) Same as for a class Same as for a class instance method
instance method
PROCEDURE Same as for a class Same as for a class instance method
(optional) instance method

Within a class definition, you do not need to make each factory method-name
unique, but you do need to give each factory method a unique signature. You can
overload factory methods in exactly the same way that you overload instance
methods. For example, the CheckingAccount subclass provides two versions of the
factory method createCheckingAccount: one that initializes the account to have a
default balance of zero, and one that allows the opening balance to be passed in.
Clients can invoke either createCheckingAccount method by passing arguments
that match the signature of the desired method.

If you define a data item with the same name in both the DATA DIVISION of a
factory method and the DATA DIVISION of the FACTORY paragraph, a reference in the
method to that data-name refers only to the method data item. The method DATA
DIVISION takes precedence.

COBOL factory methods are equivalent to Java public static methods.

“Example: defining a factory (with methods)” on page 492

RELATED TASKS
“Structuring OO applications” on page 498
“Wrapping procedure-oriented COBOL programs” on page 497
“Creating and initializing instances of classes” on page 482
“Defining a class instance method” on page 467

490 Programming Guide

“Coding attribute (get and set) methods” on page 473
“Overloading an instance method” on page 472
“Hiding a factory or static method”
“Invoking factory or static methods”
“Using object-oriented COBOL and Java under IMS” on page 392

Hiding a factory or static method

A factory method defined in a subclass is said to hide an inherited COBOL or Java
method that would otherwise be accessible in the subclass if the two methods have
the same signature.

To hide a superclass factory method f1 in a COBOL subclass, define a factory

method f1 in the subclass that has the same name and whose PROCEDURE DIVISION
USING phrase (if any) has the same number and type of formal parameters as the
superclass method has. (If the superclass method is implemented in Java, you must
code formal parameters that are interoperable with the data types of the
corresponding Java parameters.) When a client invokes f1 using the subclass name,
the subclass method rather than the superclass method is invoked.

The presence or absence of a method return value and the data type of the return
value used in the PROCEDURE DIVISION RETURNING phrase (if any) must be identical
in the subclass factory method and the hidden superclass method.

A factory method must not hide an instance method in a Java or COBOL

superclass.

“Example: defining a factory (with methods)” on page 492

RELATED TASKS
“Coding interoperable data types in COBOL and Java” on page 506
“Overriding an instance method” on page 471
“Invoking methods (INVOKE)” on page 480

RELATED REFERENCES
Inheritance, overriding, and hiding (The Java Language Specification)
The Procedure Division header (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Invoking factory or static methods

To invoke a COBOL factory method or Java static method in a COBOL method or
client program, code the class-name as the first operand of the INVOKE statement.

For example, a client program could invoke one of the overloaded

CheckingAccount factory methods called createCheckingAccount to create a
checking account with account number 777777 and an opening balance of $300 by
coding this statement:
Invoke CheckingAccount “createCheckingAccount”
using by value 777777 300
returning aCheckingAccount

To invoke a factory method from within the same class in which you define the
factory method, you also use the class-name as the first operand in the INVOKE
statement.

Code the name of the method to be invoked either as a literal or as an identifier

whose value at run time is the method-name. The method-name must be an
alphanumeric or national literal or data item, and is interpreted in a case-sensitive
manner.

Chapter 28. Writing object-oriented programs 491

 If an invoked method is not supported in the class that you name in the INVOKE
statement, a severity-3 Language Environment condition is raised at run time
unless you code the ON EXCEPTION phrase in the INVOKE statement.

The conformance requirements for passing arguments to a COBOL factory method

or Java static method in the USING phrase, and receiving a return value in the
RETURNING phrase, are the same as those for invoking instance methods.

“Example: defining a factory (with methods)”

RELATED TASKS
“Invoking methods (INVOKE)” on page 480
“Using national data (Unicode) in COBOL” on page 105
“Coding interoperable data types in COBOL and Java” on page 506

RELATED REFERENCES
INVOKE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Example: defining a factory (with methods)

This example updates the previous examples (“Example: defining a method” on
page 474, “Example: defining a client” on page 484, and “Example: defining a
subclass (with methods)” on page 487):
v The Account class adds factory data and a parameterized factory method,
createAccount, which allows an Account instance to be created using an account
number that is passed in.
v The CheckingAccount subclass adds factory data and an overloaded
parameterized factory method, createCheckingAccount. One implementation of
createCheckingAccount initializes the account with a default balance of zero, and
the other allows the opening balance to be passed in. Clients can invoke either
method by passing arguments that match the signature of the desired method.
v The TestAccounts client invokes the services provided by the factory methods of
the Account and CheckingAccount classes, and instantiates the Java Check class.
v The output from the TestAccounts client program is shown.

You can also find the complete source code for this example in the
cobol/demo/oosample subdirectory in the HFS; typically the complete path for the
source is /usr/lpp/cobol/demo/oosample. You can use the makefile there to
compile and link the code.

Account class
cbl dll,thread,pgmname(longmixed),lib
Identification Division.
Class-id. Account inherits Base.
Environment Division.
Configuration section.
Repository.
Class Base is “java.lang.Object”
Class Account is “Account”.
*
Identification division.
Factory.
Data division.
Working-storage section.
01 NumberOfAccounts pic 9(6) value zero.
*
Procedure Division.
*

492 Programming Guide

* createAccount method to create a new Account
* instance, then invoke the OBJECT paragraph’s init
* method on the instance to initialize its instance data:
Identification Division.
Method-id. “createAccount”.
Data division.
Linkage section.
01 inAccountNumber pic S9(6) binary.
01 outAccount object reference Account.
* Facilitate access to JNI services:
Copy JNI.
Procedure Division using by value inAccountNumber
returning outAccount.
* Establish addressability to JNI environment structure:
Set address of JNIEnv to JNIEnvPtr
Set address of JNINativeInterface to JNIEnv
Invoke Account New returning outAccount
* Convert outAccount to a global reference so that
* it remains valid after return from this method:
Call NewGlobalRef using by value JNIEnvPtr outAccount
returning outAccount
Invoke outAccount “init” using by value inAccountNumber
Add 1 to NumberOfAccounts.
End method “createAccount”.
*
End Factory.
*
Identification division.
Object.
Data division.
Working-storage section.
01 AccountNumber pic 9(6).
01 AccountBalance pic S9(9) value zero.
*
Procedure Division.
*
* init method to initialize the account:
Identification Division.
Method-id. “init”.
Data division.
Linkage section.
01 inAccountNumber pic S9(9) binary.
Procedure Division using by value inAccountNumber.
Move inAccountNumber to AccountNumber.
End method “init”.
*
* getBalance method to return the account balance:
Identification Division.
Method-id. “getBalance”.
Data division.
Linkage section.
01 outBalance pic S9(9) binary.
Procedure Division returning outBalance.
Move AccountBalance to outBalance.
End method “getBalance”.
*
* credit method to deposit to the account:
Identification Division.
Method-id. “credit”.
Data division.
Linkage section.
01 inCredit pic S9(9) binary.
Procedure Division using by value inCredit.
Add inCredit to AccountBalance.
End method “credit”.
*
* debit method to withdraw from the account:

Chapter 28. Writing object-oriented programs 493

 Identification Division.
Method-id. “debit”.
Data division.
Linkage section.
01 inDebit pic S9(9) binary.
Procedure Division using by value inDebit.
Subtract inDebit from AccountBalance.
End method “debit”.
*
* print method to display formatted account number and balance:
Identification Division.
Method-id. “print”.
Data division.
Local-storage section.
01 PrintableAccountNumber pic ZZZZZZ999999.
01 PrintableAccountBalance pic $$$$,$$$,$$9CR.
Procedure Division.
Move AccountNumber to PrintableAccountNumber
Move AccountBalance to PrintableAccountBalance
Display “ Account: ” PrintableAccountNumber
Display “ Balance: ” PrintableAccountBalance.
End method “print”.
*
End Object.
*
End class Account.

CheckingAccount class (subclass of Account)

cbl dll,thread,pgmname(longmixed),lib
Identification Division.
Class-id. CheckingAccount inherits Account.
Environment Division.
Configuration section.
Repository.
Class CheckingAccount is “CheckingAccount”
Class Check is “Check”
Class Account is “Account”.
*
Identification division.
Factory.
Data division.
Working-storage section.
01 NumberOfCheckingAccounts pic 9(6) value zero.
*
Procedure Division.
*
* createCheckingAccount overloaded method to create a new
* CheckingAccount instance with a default balance, invoke
* inherited instance method init to initialize the account
* number, and increment factory data tally of checking accounts:
Identification Division.
Method-id. “createCheckingAccount”.
Data division.
Linkage section.
01 inAccountNumber pic S9(6) binary.
01 outCheckingAccount object reference CheckingAccount.
* Facilitate access to JNI services:
Copy JNI.
Procedure Division using by value inAccountNumber
returning outCheckingAccount.
* Establish addressability to JNI environment structure:
Set address of JNIEnv to JNIEnvPtr
Set address of JNINativeInterface to JNIEnv
Invoke CheckingAccount New returning outCheckingAccount
* Convert outCheckingAccount to a global reference so
* that it remains valid after return from this method:
Call NewGlobalRef using by value JNIEnvPtr outCheckingAccount

494 Programming Guide

 returning outCheckingAccount
Invoke outCheckingAccount “init”
using by value inAccountNumber
Add 1 to NumberOfCheckingAccounts.
End method “createCheckingAccount”.
*
* createCheckingAccount overloaded method to create a new
* CheckingAccount instance, invoke inherited instance methods
* init to initialize the account number and credit to set the
* balance, and increment factory data tally of checking accounts:
Identification Division.
Method-id. “createCheckingAccount”.
Data division.
Linkage section.
01 inAccountNumber pic S9(6) binary.
01 inInitialBalance pic S9(9) binary.
01 outCheckingAccount object reference CheckingAccount.
Copy JNI.
Procedure Division using by value inAccountNumber
inInitialBalance
returning outCheckingAccount.
Set address of JNIEnv to JNIEnvPtr
Set address of JNINativeInterface to JNIEnv
Invoke CheckingAccount New returning outCheckingAccount
Call NewGlobalRef using by value JNIEnvPtr outCheckingAccount
returning outCheckingAccount
Invoke outCheckingAccount “init”
using by value inAccountNumber
Invoke outCheckingAccount “credit”
using by value inInitialBalance
Add 1 to NumberOfCheckingAccounts.
End method “createCheckingAccount”.
*
End Factory.
*
Identification division.
Object.
Data division.
Working-storage section.
01 CheckFee pic S9(9) value 1.
Procedure Division.
*
* processCheck method to get the check amount and payee,
* add the check fee, and invoke inherited methods debit
* to debit the payer and credit to credit the payee:
Identification Division.
Method-id. “processCheck”.
Data division.
Local-storage section.
01 amount pic S9(9) binary.
01 payee usage object reference Account.
Linkage section.
01 aCheck usage object reference Check.
Procedure Division using by value aCheck.
Invoke aCheck “getAmount” returning amount
Invoke aCheck “getPayee” returning payee
Invoke payee “credit” using by value amount
Add checkFee to amount
Invoke self “debit” using by value amount.
End method “processCheck”.
*
* print method override to display account status:
Identification Division.
Method-id. “print”.
Data division.
Local-storage section.
01 printableFee pic $$,$$$,$$9.

Chapter 28. Writing object-oriented programs 495

 Procedure Division.
Invoke super “print”
Move CheckFee to printableFee
Display “ Check fee: ” printableFee.
End method “print”.
*
End Object.
*
End class CheckingAccount.

Check class
/**
* A Java class for check information
*/
public class Check {
private CheckingAccount payer;
private Account payee;
private int amount;

public Check(CheckingAccount inPayer, Account inPayee, int inAmount) {

payer=inPayer;
payee=inPayee;
amount=inAmount;
}

public int getAmount() {

return amount;
}

public Account getPayee() {

return payee;
}
}

TestAccounts client program

cbl dll,thread,pgmname(longmixed)
Identification division.
Program-id. “TestAccounts” recursive.
Environment division.
Configuration section.
Repository.
Class Account is “Account”
Class CheckingAccount is “CheckingAccount”
Class Check is “Check”.
Data Division.
* Working data is declared in Local-storage
* so that each thread has its own copy:
Local-storage section.
01 anAccount usage object reference Account.
01 aCheckingAccount usage object reference CheckingAccount.
01 aCheck usage object reference Check.
01 payee usage object reference Account.
*
Procedure division.
Test-Account-section.
Display “Test Account class”
* Create account 123456 with 0 balance:
Invoke Account “createAccount”
using by value 123456
returning anAccount
* Deposit 500 to the account:
Invoke anAccount “credit” using by value 500
Invoke anAccount “print”
Display space
*
Display “Test CheckingAccount class”

496 Programming Guide

 * Create checking account 777777 with balance of 300:
Invoke CheckingAccount “createCheckingAccount”
using by value 777777 300
returning aCheckingAccount
* Set account 123456 as the payee:
Set payee to anAccount
* Initialize check for 125 to be paid by account 777777 to payee:
Invoke Check New
using by value aCheckingAccount, payee, 125
returning aCheck
* Debit the payer, and credit the payee:
Invoke aCheckingAccount “processCheck”
using by value aCheck
Invoke aCheckingAccount “print”
Invoke anAccount “print”
*
Stop Run.
End program “TestAccounts”.

Output produced by the TestAccounts client program

Test Account class
Account: 123456
Balance: $500

Test CheckingAccount class

Account: 777777
Balance: $174
Check fee: $1
Account: 123456
Balance: $625

RELATED TASKS
“Creating and initializing instances of classes” on page 482
“Defining a factory method” on page 489
“Invoking factory or static methods” on page 491
Chapter 17, “Compiling, linking, and running OO applications” on page 277

Wrapping procedure-oriented COBOL programs

A wrapper is a class that provides an interface between object-oriented code and
procedure-oriented code.

Factory methods provide a convenient means for writing wrappers for existing
procedural COBOL code to make it accessible from Java programs.

To wrap COBOL code, do these steps:

1. Create a simple COBOL class that contains a FACTORY paragraph.
2. In the FACTORY paragraph, code a factory method that uses a CALL statement to
call the procedural program.

A Java program can invoke the factory method by using a static method invocation
expression, thus invoking the COBOL procedural program.

RELATED TASKS
“Defining a class” on page 462
“Defining a factory section” on page 488
“Defining a factory method” on page 489

Chapter 28. Writing object-oriented programs 497

 Structuring OO applications
| You can structure applications that use object-oriented COBOL syntax in one of
| three ways. An OO application can begin with:
| v A COBOL program, which can have any name.
| Under UNIX, you can run the application by specifying the name of the linked
| module (which should match the program name) at the command prompt. You
| can also bind the program as a module in a PDSE and run it in JCL using the
| EXEC PGM statement.
| v A Java class definition that contains a method called main. Declare main as
| public, static, and void, with a single parameter of type String[].
| You can run the application with the java command, specifying the name of the
| class that contains main and zero or more strings as command-line arguments.
| v A COBOL class definition that contains a factory method called main. Declare
| main with no RETURNING phrase and a single USING parameter, an object reference
| to a class that is an array with elements of type java.lang.String. (Thus main is in
| effect public, static, and void, with a single parameter of type String[].)
| You can run the application with the java command, specifying the name of the
| class that contains main and zero or more strings as command-line arguments.
| Structure an OO application this way if you want to:
| – Run the application by using the java command.
| – Run the application in an environment where applications must start with the
| main method of a Java class file (such as an IMS Java dependent region).
| – Follow standard Java programming practice.

“Examples: COBOL applications that you can run using the java command”

RELATED TASKS
Chapter 17, “Compiling, linking, and running OO applications” on page 277
“Defining a factory method” on page 489
“Declaring arrays and strings for Java” on page 506
Chapter 22, “Developing COBOL programs for IMS” on page 391

Examples: COBOL applications that you can run using the

java command
| The following examples show COBOL class definitions that contain a factory
| method called main. In each case, main has no RETURNING phrase and has a single
| USING parameter, an object reference to a class that is an array with elements of
| type java.lang.String. You can run these applications by using the java command.

Displaying a message:
| cbl dll,thread
| Identification Division.
| Class-id. CBLmain inherits Base.
| Environment Division.
| Configuration section.
| Repository.
| Class Base is “java.lang.Object”
| Class stringArray is “jobjectArray:java.lang.String”
| Class CBLmain is “CBLmain”.
| *
| Identification Division.
| Factory.
| Procedure division.
| *

498 Programming Guide

| Identification Division.
| Method-id. “main”.
| Data division.
| Linkage section.
| 01 SA usage object reference stringArray.
| Procedure division using by value SA.
| Display “ >> COBOL main method entered”
| .
| End method “main”.
| End factory.
| End class CBLmain.

Echoing the input strings:

| cbl dll,thread,lib,pgmname(longmixed),ssrange
| Identification Division.
| Class-id. Echo inherits Base.
| Environment Division.
| Configuration section.
| Repository.
| Class Base is “java.lang.Object”
| Class stringArray is “jobjectArray:java.lang.String”
| Class jstring is “java.lang.String”
| Class Echo is “Echo”.
| *
| Identification Division.
| Factory.
| Procedure division.
| *
| Identification Division.
| Method-id. “main”.
| Data division.
| Local-storage section.
| 01 SAlen pic s9(9) binary.
| 01 I pic s9(9) binary.
| 01 SAelement object reference jstring.
| 01 SAelementlen pic s9(9) binary.
| 01 Sbuffer pic X(65535).
| 01 P pointer.
| Linkage section.
| 01 SA object reference stringArray.
| Copy “JNI.cpy” suppress.
| Procedure division using by value SA.
| Set address of JNIEnv to JNIEnvPtr
| Set address of JNINativeInterface to JNIEnv
| Call GetArrayLength using by value JNIEnvPtr SA
| returning SAlen
| Display “Input string array length: ” SAlen
| Display “Input strings:”
| Perform varying I from 0 by 1 until I = SAlen
| Call GetObjectArrayElement
| using by value JNIEnvPtr SA I
| returning SAelement
| Call “GetStringPlatformLength”
| using by value JNIEnvPtr
| SAelement
| address of SAelementlen
| 0
| Call “GetStringPlatform”
| using by value JNIEnvPtr
| SAelement
| address of Sbuffer
| length of Sbuffer
| 0
| Display Sbuffer(1:SAelementlen)
| End-perform

Chapter 28. Writing object-oriented programs 499

| .
| End method “main”.
| End factory.
| End class Echo.

RELATED TASKS
Chapter 17, “Compiling, linking, and running OO applications” on page 277
“Defining a factory method” on page 489
Chapter 29, “Communicating with Java methods” on page 501

500 Programming Guide

Chapter 29. Communicating with Java methods
To achieve interlanguage interoperability with Java, you need to follow certain
rules and guidelines for:
v Using services in the Java Native Interface (JNI)
v Coding data types
v Compiling your COBOL programs

You can invoke methods that are written in Java from COBOL programs, and you
can invoke methods that are written in COBOL from Java programs. You need to
code COBOL object-oriented language for basic Java object capabilities. For
additional Java capabilities, you can call JNI services.

Because Java programs might be multithreaded and use asynchronous signals,

compile your COBOL programs with the THREAD option.

“Example: J2EE client written in COBOL” on page 512

RELATED TASKS
“Using national data (Unicode) in COBOL” on page 105
“Accessing JNI services”
“Sharing data with Java” on page 505
Chapter 28, “Writing object-oriented programs” on page 459
Chapter 17, “Compiling, linking, and running OO applications” on page 277
Chapter 27, “Preparing COBOL programs for multithreading” on page 449

RELATED REFERENCES
The Java 2 Enterprise Edition Developer’s Guide

Accessing JNI services

The Java Native Interface (JNI) provides many callable services that you can use
when you develop applications that mix COBOL and Java. To facilitate access to
these services, copy JNI.cpy into the LINKAGE SECTION of your COBOL program.
This copybook contains:
v COBOL data definitions that correspond to the Java JNI types
v The JNI environment structure JNINativeInterface, which contains function
pointers for accessing the callable service functions

You obtain the JNI environment structure by two levels of indirection from the JNI
environment pointer, as this illustration shows:

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 501

 Use the special register JNIEnvPtr to reference the JNI environment pointer to
obtain the address for the JNI environment structure. JNIEnvPtr is implicitly
defined with USAGE POINTER; do not use it as a receiving data item.

Before you reference the contents of the JNI environment structure, you must code
the following statements to establish its addressability:
Linkage section.
COPY JNI
. . .
Procedure division.
. . .
Set address of JNIEnv to JNIEnvPtr
Set address of JNINativeInterface to JNIEnv
. . .

This code sets the addresses of the following items:

v JNIEnv is a pointer data item that JNI.cpy provides. JNIEnvPtr is the COBOL
special register that contains the environment pointer.
v JNINativeInterface is the COBOL group structure that JNI.cpy contains. This
structure maps the JNI environment structure, which contains an array of
function pointers for the JNI callable services.

After you code the above statements, you can access the JNI callable services with
CALL statements that reference the function pointers. You can pass the JNIEnvPtr
special register as the first argument to the services that require the environment
pointer, as shown in this example:
01 InputArrayObj usage object reference jlongArray.
01 ArrayLen pic S9(9) comp-5.
. . .
Call GetArrayLength using by value JNIEnvPtr InputArrayObj
returning ArrayLen

Important: Pass all arguments to the JNI callable services by value.

Some JNI callable services require a Java class-object reference as an argument. To

obtain a reference to the class object that is associated with a class, use one of the
following JNI callable services:
v GetObjectClass
v FindClass

Restriction: The JNI environment pointer is thread-specific, therefore do not pass it

from one thread to another.

RELATED TASKS
“Managing local and global references” on page 504
“Handling Java exceptions”
“Defining a client” on page 475

RELATED REFERENCES
Appendix F, “JNI.cpy” on page 625
The Java Native Interface

Handling Java exceptions

Use JNI services to throw and catch Java exceptions.

502 Programming Guide

Throwing an exception from your COBOL program
Use one of the following services to throw a Java exception from a COBOL
method:
v Throw
v ThrowNew

You must make the thrown object an instance of a subclass of java.lang.Throwable.

The Java virtual machine (JVM) does not recognize and process the thrown
exception until the method that contains the call has completed and returned to
the JVM.

Catching a Java exception

After you invoke a method that might have thrown a Java exception, you can use
the following JNI services to test whether an exception actually occurred, to
process the exception, and to clear the exception, if clearing is appropriate:
v ExceptionOccurred
v ExceptionCheck
v ExceptionDescribe
v ExceptionClear

To do error analysis, use the methods supported by the exception object that is
returned. This object is an instance of java.lang.Throwable.

“Example: handling Java exceptions”

Example: handling Java exceptions

This example shows the use of JNI services for catching an exception from Java
and using the PrintStackTrace method of java.lang.Throwable for error analysis.
Repository.
Class JavaException is “java.lang.Exception”.
. . .
Local-storage section.
01 ex usage object reference JavaException.
Linkage section.
COPY “JNI.cpy”.
. . .
Procedure division.
Set address of JNIEnv to JNIEnvPtr
Set address of JNINativeInterface to JNIEnv
. . .
Invoke anObj “someMethod”
Perform ErrorCheck
. . .
ErrorCheck.
Call ExceptionOccurred
using by value JNIEnvPtr
returning ex
If ex not = null then
Call ExceptionClear using by value JNIEnvPtr
Display “Caught an unexpected exception”
Invoke ex “printStackTrace”
Stop run
End-if

Chapter 29. Communicating with Java methods 503

 Managing local and global references
The Java virtual machine tracks the object references that you use in native
methods, such as COBOL methods. This tracking ensures that the objects are not
prematurely released during garbage collection. There are two classes of such
references:
Local references
Local references are valid only while the method that you invoke runs, and
they are automatically freed after the native method returns.
Global references
Global references remain valid until you explicitly delete them. You can
create global references from local references by using the JNI service
NewGlobalRef.

The following object references are always local:

v Object references that are received as method parameters
v Object references that are returned by a call to a JNI function from within a
method
v Object references that you create within a method by using the
INVOKE . . . NEW statement

You can pass either a local reference or a global reference as an object reference
argument to a JNI service.

You can code methods to return global references as RETURNING values. Do not
return local references to objects that you created in the method; they become
invalid upon return. First convert the reference to a global reference, then return
that global reference.

Local references are valid only in the thread in which you create them. Do not pass
them from one thread to another.

Deleting, saving, and freeing local references

You can manually delete local references at any point within a method.

Save local references only in object references that you define in the LOCAL-STORAGE
SECTION of a method. If you want to save a local reference with a SET statement to
an object instance variable, a factory variable, or a variable in the WORKING-STORAGE
SECTION of a method, first convert the local reference to a global reference.
Otherwise, you will get an error because these storage areas persist when the
method returns, but the local reference is no longer valid.

In most cases you can rely on the automatic freeing of local references that occurs
when a method returns. However, in some cases you should explicitly free a local
reference within a method by using the JNI service DeleteLocalRef. Here are two
situations where explicit freeing is appropriate:
v In a method you access a large object, thereby creating a local reference to the
object. After extensive computations, the method returns. You should free the
large object if you do not need it for the additional computations, because the
local reference prevents the object from being released during garbage collection.
v You create a large number of local references in a method but do not use all of
them at the same time. Because the Java virtual machine requires space to keep
track of each local reference, you should free those that you no longer need to
avoid causing the system to run out of memory.

504 Programming Guide

 For example, in a COBOL method you loop through a large array of objects,
retrieve the elements as local references, and operate on one element at each
iteration. You can free the local reference to the array element after each
iteration.

JNI services
Use these callable services to manage local references and global references:

Service Input arguments Return value Purpose

NewGlobalRef v The JNI environment The global reference, or To create a new global
pointer null if the system is out of reference to the object that
memory the input object reference
v A local or global object
refers to
reference
DeleteGlobalRef v The JNI environment None To delete a global reference
pointer to the object that the input
object reference refers to
v A global object reference
DeleteLocalRef v The JNI environment None To delete a local reference
pointer to the object that the input
object reference refers to
v A local object reference

Java access controls

The Java access modifiers protected and private are not enforced when you use
the Java Native Interface. Therefore a COBOL program could invoke a protected or
private Java method that would not have been invocable from a Java client. This
usage is not recommended.

Sharing data with Java

Some COBOL data types have Java equivalents, but others do not. You can pass
the types that have Java equivalents as arguments in the USING phrase of an INVOKE
statement or receive them as the RETURNING value on an INVOKE statement.
Similarly, you can receive these types from a Java method as parameters on the
USING phrase or return them as the value in the RETURNING phrase of the PROCEDURE
DIVISION header in a COBOL method.

To pass or receive arrays and strings, declare them as object references:

v Declare an array as an object reference that contains an instance of one of the
special array classes.
v Declare a string as an object reference that contains an instance of the jstring
class.

To pass or receive a group data structure, create a Java Record class to represent
the structure and pass or receive object instances of the class. You can use the
Enterprise Access Builder of IBM VisualAge for Java Enterprise Edition to create
Record classes.

RELATED TASKS
“Coding interoperable data types in COBOL and Java” on page 506
“Declaring arrays and strings for Java” on page 506
“Manipulating Java arrays” on page 507
“Manipulating Java strings” on page 510
“Invoking methods (INVOKE)” on page 480
Chapter 25, “Sharing data” on page 423

Chapter 29. Communicating with Java methods 505

 Coding interoperable data types in COBOL and Java
Use only the COBOL data types in this table when you communicate with Java:

Primitive Java data

type Corresponding COBOL data type
boolean 1
PIC X followed by exactly two condition names of the form shown:
level-number data-name PIC X.
88 data-name-false value X’00’.
88 data-name-true value X’01’ through X’FF’.
byte1 Single-byte alphanumeric: PIC X or PIC A
short USAGE BINARY, COMP, COMP-4, or COMP-5, with PICTURE clause of the
form S9(n), where 1<=n<=4
int USAGE BINARY, COMP, COMP-4, or COMP-5, with PICTURE clause of the
form S9(n), where 5<=n<=9
long USAGE BINARY, COMP, COMP-4, or COMP-5, with PICTURE clause of the
form S9(n), where 10<=n<=18
float2 USAGE COMP-1
double 2
USAGE COMP-2
char Single-character national: PIC N USAGE NATIONAL
class types USAGE OBJECT REFERENCE class-name
(object references)

1. You must distinguish boolean from byte, because they both correspond to PIC X. PIC X
is interpreted as boolean only when you define an argument or a parameter with the
two condition names shown in the table. Otherwise, your PIC X data item is interpreted
as the Java byte type.
2. Java floating-point data is represented in IEEE floating point; Enterprise COBOL uses
hexadecimal floating-point representation. When you pass floating-point arguments by
using an INVOKE statement or you receive floating-point data from a Java method, the
arguments and data are automatically converted as needed.

Declaring arrays and strings for Java

When you communicate with Java, declare arrays and strings with the special
array classes and with jstring, respectively, by coding the COBOL data types
shown in this table:

Java data type Corresponding COBOL data type

boolean[ ] object reference jbooleanArray
byte[ ] object reference jbyteArray
short[ ] object reference jshortArray
int[ ] object reference jintArray
long[ ] object reference jlongArray
char[ ] object reference jcharArray
| Object[ ] object reference jobjectArray
String object reference jstring

When you use these special classes for array and string interoperability with Java,
you must code an entry for the classes that you use in the REPOSITORY paragraph,
such as in this example:

506 Programming Guide

 Configuration section.
Repository.
Class jbooleanArray is “jbooleanArray”.

| The REPOSITORY paragraph entry for an object array type must specify an external
| class-name of one of the following forms:
| “jobjectArray”
| “jobjectArray:external-classname-2”

| In the first case, the REPOSITORY entry specifies an array class where the elements of
| the array are objects of type java.lang.Object.

| In the second case, the REPOSITORY entry specifies an array class where the
| elements of the array are objects of type external-classname-2. A colon is required as
| a separator between the specification of the jobjectArray type and the external
| class-name of the elements of the array.

| The following example shows both cases:

| Environment Division.
| Configuration Section.
| Repository.
| Class jobjectArray is “jobjectArray”
| Class Employee is “com.acme.Employee”
| Class Department is “jobjectArray:com.acme.Employee”.
| . . .
| Linkage section.
| 01 oa usage object reference jobjectArray.
| 01 aDepartment usage object reference Department.
| . . .
| Procedure division using by value aDepartment.
| . . .

| In this example, oa defines an array of elements that are objects of type

| java.lang.Object. aDepartment defines an array of elements that are objects of type
| com.acme.Employee.

“Examples: COBOL applications that you can run using the java command” on
page 498

The following Java array types are currently not supported for interoperation with
COBOL programs:

Java data type Corresponding COBOL data type

float[ ] object reference jfloatArray
double[ ] object reference jdoubleArray

RELATED TASKS
“REPOSITORY paragraph for defining a class” on page 464

Manipulating Java arrays

To represent the array in a COBOL program, code a group structure that contains a
single elementary item of the data type that corresponds to the Java type of the
array. Specify an OCCURS or OCCURS DEPENDING ON clause that is appropriate for the
array.

Chapter 29. Communicating with Java methods 507

 For example, the following code specifies a structure to receive 500 or fewer
integer values from a jlongArray object:
01 longArray.
02 X pic S9(9) comp-5 occurs 1 to 500 times depending on N.

To operate on objects of the special Java-array classes, call the services that JNI
provides. You can use services to access and set individual elements of an array
and for the following purposes, using the services cited:

Service Input arguments Return value Purpose

GetArrayLength v The JNI environment pointer The array length as a To get the number of
binary fullword elements in a Java array
v The array object reference
integer object
NewBooleanArray v The JNI environment pointer The array object To create a new Java array
NewByteArray reference, or null if object
v The number of elements in
NewCharArray the array cannot be
the array, as a binary
NewShortArray constructed
fullword integer
NewIntArray
NewLongArray
GetBooleanArrayElements v The JNI environment pointer A pointer to the To extract the array
GetByteArrayElements storage buffer elements from a Java array
v The array object reference
| GetCharArrayElements into a storage buffer. The
| GetShortArrayElements v A pointer to a boolean item. services return a pointer to
GetIntArrayElements If the pointer is not null, the the storage buffer, which
GetLongArrayElements boolean item is set to true if a you can use as the address
copy of the array elements of a COBOL group
was made. If a copy was structure defined in the
made, the corresponding LINKAGE SECTION.
ReleasexxxArrayElements
service must be called if
changes are to be written
back to the array object.
ReleaseBooleanArrayElements v The JNI environment pointer None; the storage for To release the storage
ReleaseByteArrayElements the array is released buffer that contains
v The array object reference
ReleaseCharArrayElements elements that have been
ReleaseShortArrayElements v A pointer to the storage extracted from a Java
ReleaseIntArrayElements buffer array and conditionally
ReleaseLongArrayElements v The release mode, as a binary map the updated array
fullword integer. See Java JNI values back into the array
documentation for details. object
Recommendation: Specify 0,
to copy back the array
content and free the storage
buffer.
|| NewObjectArray v The JNI environment pointer The array object To create a new Java
| reference, or null if object array
|| v The number of elements in
the array cannot be
|| the array, as a binary
constructed1
| fullword integer
| v An object reference for the
| array element class
| v An object reference for the
| initial element value. All
| array elements are set to this
| value.

508 Programming Guide

 Service Input arguments Return value Purpose
2
|| GetObjectArrayElement v The JNI environment pointer An object reference To return the element at a
| given index within an
|| v The array object reference
object array
| v An array element index, as a
| binary fullword integer using
| origin zero
|| SetObjectArrayElement v The JNI environment pointer None3 To set an element within
| an object array
| v The array object reference
| v The array element index, as a
| binary fullword integer using
| origin zero
| v The object reference for the
| new value

| 1. NewObjectArray throws an exception if the system runs out of memory.

| 2. GetObjectArrayElement throws an exception if the index is not valid.
| 3. SetObjectArrayElement throws an exception if the index is not valid or if the new value is not a subclass of the
| element class of the array.

“Examples: COBOL applications that you can run using the java command” on
page 498
“Example: processing a Java int array”

RELATED TASKS
“Coding interoperable data types in COBOL and Java” on page 506
“Declaring arrays and strings for Java” on page 506
“Accessing JNI services” on page 501

Example: processing a Java int array

This example illustrates using the Java-array classes and JNI services to process a
Java array in COBOL.
cbl lib,thread,dll
Identification division.
Class-id. OOARRAY inherits Base.
Environment division.
Configuration section.
Repository.
Class Base is “java.lang.Object”
Class jintArray is “jintArray”.
Identification division.
Object.
Procedure division.
Identification division.
Method-id. “ProcessArray”.
Data Division.
Local-storage section.
01 intArrayPtr pointer.
01 intArrayLen pic S9(9) comp-5.
Linkage section.
COPY JNI.
01 inIntArrayObj usage object reference jintArray.
01 intArrayGroup.
02 X pic S9(9) comp-5
occurs 1 to 1000 times depending on intArrayLen.
Procedure division using by value inIntArrayObj.
Set address of JNIEnv to JNIEnvPtr
Set address of JNINativeInterface to JNIEnv

Chapter 29. Communicating with Java methods 509

 Call GetArrayLength
using by value JNIEnvPtr inIntArrayObj
returning intArrayLen
Call GetIntArrayElements
using by value JNIEnvPtr inIntArrayObj 0
returning IntArrayPtr
Set address of intArrayGroup to intArrayPtr

* . . . process the array elements X(I) . . .

Call ReleaseIntArrayElements
using by value JNIEnvPtr inIntArrayObj intArrayPtr 0.
End method “ProcessArray”.
End Object.
End class OOARRAY.

Manipulating Java strings

Java String data is represented in Unicode. To represent a Java String in a COBOL
program, declare it as an object reference of the jstring class. Then use one of two
sets of JNI services to set and extract COBOL alphanumeric or national (Unicode)
data from the object.

Services for Unicode

Use the following standard services to convert between jstring object references
and COBOL national data items (PIC N(n)).

Service Input arguments Return value

NewString v The JNI environment pointer jstring object reference
v A pointer to a Unicode string, such
as a COBOL national data item
v The number of characters in the
string; binary fullword
GetStringLength v The JNI environment pointer The number of Unicode characters in the jstring
object reference; binary fullword
v A jstring object reference
GetStringChars v The JNI environment pointer v A pointer to the array of Unicode characters
v A jstring object reference extracted from the jstring object.
v The pointer to a boolean data item v When the pointer to the boolean data item is
not null, the boolean value is set to true if a
copy is made of the string and to false if no
copy is made. The returned pointer is valid until
you call ReleaseStringChars.
ReleaseStringChars v The JNI environment pointer None; the storage for the array is released.
v A jstring object reference
v The pointer to the array of Unicode
characters that was returned from
GetStringChars

Access these services by using function pointers in the JNI environment structure
JNINativeInterface.

Services for EBCDIC

Use the following z/OS services, an extension of the JNI, to convert between
jstring object references and COBOL alphanumeric data (PIC X(n)).

510 Programming Guide

Service Input arguments Return value
NewStringPlatform v The JNI environment pointer Return code as a binary fullword
integer:
v Pointer to the null-terminated EBCDIC
character string that you want to convert 0 Success.
to a jstring object
-1 Malformed input or illegal
v Pointer to the jstring object reference in input character.
which you want the result
-2 Unsupported encoding; the
v Pointer to the Java encoding name for the
jstring object reference pointer
string, represented as a null-terminated
is set to null.
EBCDIC character string1
GetStringPlatformLength v The JNI environment pointer Return code as a binary fullword
integer:
v jstring object reference for which you want
the length 0 Success.
v Pointer to a binary fullword integer for the -1 Malformed input or illegal
result input character.
v Pointer to the Java encoding name for the
-2 Unsupported encoding; the
string, represented as a null-terminated
jstring object reference pointer
EBCDIC character string1
is set to null.

Returns, in the third argument, the

length in bytes of the output buffer
that you need to hold the converted
Java string, including the terminating
null byte referenced by the second
argument.
GetStringPlatform v The JNI environment pointer Return code as a binary fullword
integer:
v jstring object reference that you want to
convert to a null-terminated string 0 Success.
v Pointer to the output buffer in which you -1 Malformed input or illegal
want the converted string input character.
v Length of the output buffer as a binary
-2 Unsupported encoding; the
fullword integer
output string is set to a null
v Pointer to the Java encoding name for the string.
string, represented as a null-terminated
EBCDIC character string1 -3 Conversion buffer is full.

1. If the pointer is null, the encoding from the Java file.encoding property is used.

The EBCDIC services are packaged as a DLL that is part of the IBM Developer Kit
for OS/390, Java 2 Technology Edition. Use CALL literal statements to call these
services. The calls are resolved via the libjvm.x DLL side file which you must
include in the link step of any COBOL program that uses object-oriented language.

For example, the following code creates a Java String object from the EBCDIC
string ’MyConverter’. (This code fragment is from the J2EE client program, which
is given in full in “Example: J2EE client written in COBOL” on page 512.)
Move z“MyConverter” to stringBuf
Call “NewStringPlatform”
using by value JNIEnvPtr
address of stringBuf
address of jstring1
0
returning rc

Chapter 29. Communicating with Java methods 511

 If the EBCDIC services are the only JNI services that you call from a COBOL
program, you do not need to copy the JNI.cpy copybook nor do you need to
establish addressability with the JNI environment pointer.

For details of these services, see jni_convert.h, which is shipped with the IBM
Developer Kit for OS/390, Java 2 Technology Edition.

Access these services by using function pointers in the JNI environment structure
JNINativeInterface.

Services for UTF-8

The Java Native Interface also provides services for conversion between jstring
object references and UTF-8 strings. These services are not recommended for use
from COBOL.

RELATED TASKS
“Accessing JNI services” on page 501
“Coding interoperable data types in COBOL and Java” on page 506
“Declaring arrays and strings for Java” on page 506
“Using national data (Unicode) in COBOL” on page 105
Chapter 17, “Compiling, linking, and running OO applications” on page 277

Example: J2EE client written in COBOL

This example shows a COBOL client program that can access enterprise beans
running on a J2EE-compliant EJB server. It is equivalent to the J2EE client program
given in the Getting Started chapter of The Java 2 Enterprise Edition Developer’s
Guide.

For your convenience in comparing implementations, the equivalent Java version

of the sample client from the guide is shown after the COBOL implementation. The
enterprise bean is not shown here; it is assumed to be the Java implementation of
the simple currency converter enterprise bean that is given in the same guide.

COBOL client (ConverterClient.cbl)

Process pgmname(longmixed),lib,dll,thread
*****************************************************************
* Demo J2EE client written in COBOL. *
* *
* Based on the sample J2EE client written in Java, which is *
* given in the “Getting Started” chapter of “The Java(TM) 2 *
* Enterprise Edition Developer’s Guide.” *
* *
* The client: *
* - Locates the home interface of a session enterprise bean *
* (a simple currency converter bean) *
* - Creates an enterprise bean instance *
* - Invokes a business method (currency conversion) *
*****************************************************************
Identification division.
Program-id. “ConverterClient” is recursive.
Environment Division.
Configuration section.
Repository.
Class InitialContext is “javax.naming.InitialContext”
Class PortableRemoteObject
is “javax.rmi.PortableRemoteObject”
Class JavaObject is “java.lang.Object”
Class JavaClass is “java.lang.Class”
Class JavaException is “java.lang.Exception”

512 Programming Guide

 Class jstring is “jstring”
Class Converter is “Converter”
Class ConverterHome is “ConverterHome”.
Data division.
Working-storage section.
01 initialCtx object reference InitialContext.
01 obj object reference JavaObject.
01 classObj object reference JavaClass.
01 ex object reference JavaException.
01 currencyConverter object reference Converter.
01 home object reference ConverterHome.
01 homeObject redefines home object reference JavaObject.
01 jstring1 object reference jstring.
01 stringBuf pic X(500) usage display.
01 len pic s9(9) comp-5.
01 rc pic s9(9) comp-5.
01 amount comp-2.
Linkage section.
Copy JNI.
Procedure division.
Set address of JNIenv to JNIEnvPtr
Set address of JNINativeInterface to JNIenv

*****************************************************************
* Create JNDI naming context. *
*****************************************************************
Invoke InitialContext New returning initialCtx
Perform JavaExceptionCheck

*****************************************************************
* Create a jstring object for the string “MyConverter” for use *
* as argument to the lookup method. *
*****************************************************************
Move z“MyConverter” to stringBuf
Call “NewStringPlatform”
using by value JNIEnvPtr
address of stringBuf
address of jstring1
0
returning rc
If rc not = zero then
Display “Error occurred creating jstring object”
Stop run
End-if

*****************************************************************
* Use the lookup method to obtain a reference to the home *
* object bound to the name “MyConverter”. (This is the JNDI *
* name specified when deploying the J2EE application.) *
*****************************************************************
Invoke initialCtx “lookup” using by value jstring1
returning obj
Perform JavaExceptionCheck

*****************************************************************
* Narrow the home object to be of type ConverterHome. *
* First obtain class object for the ConverterHome class, by *
* passing the null-terminated ASCII string “ConverterHome” to *
* the FindClass API. Then use this class object as the *
* argument to the static method “narrow”. *
*****************************************************************
Move z“ConverterHome” to stringBuf
Call “__etoa”
using by value address of stringBuf
returning len
If len = -1 then
Display “Error occurred on ASCII conversion”

Chapter 29. Communicating with Java methods 513

 Stop run
End-if
Call FindClass
using by value JNIEnvPtr
address of stringBuf
returning classObj
If classObj = null
Display “Error occurred locating ConverterHome class”
Stop run
End-if
Invoke PortableRemoteObject “narrow”
using by value obj
classObj
returning homeObject
Perform JavaExceptionCheck

*****************************************************************
* Create the ConverterEJB instance and obtain local object *
* reference for its remote interface *
*****************************************************************
Invoke home “create” returning currencyConverter
Perform JavaExceptionCheck

*****************************************************************
* Invoke business methods *
*****************************************************************
Invoke currencyConverter “dollarToYen”
using by value +100.00E+0
returning amount
Perform JavaExceptionCheck

Display amount

Invoke currencyConverter “yenToEuro”

using by value +100.00E+0
returning amount
Perform JavaExceptionCheck

Display amount

*****************************************************************
* Remove the object and return. *
*****************************************************************
Invoke currencyConverter “remove”
Perform JavaExceptionCheck

Goback
.

*****************************************************************
* Check for thrown Java exceptions *
*****************************************************************
JavaExceptionCheck.
Call ExceptionOccurred using by value JNIEnvPtr
returning ex
If ex not = null then
Call ExceptionClear using by value JNIEnvPtr
Display “Caught an unexpected exception”
Invoke ex “PrintStackTrace”
Stop run
End-if
.
End program “ConverterClient”.

514 Programming Guide

Java client (ConverterClient.java)
/*
*
* Copyright 2000 Sun Microsystems, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
*
* This software is the proprietary information of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
* Use is subject to license terms.
*
*/

import javax.naming.Context;
import javax.naming.InitialContext;
import javax.rmi.PortableRemoteObject;

import Converter;
import ConverterHome;

public class ConverterClient {

public static void main(String[] args) {

try {
Context initial = new InitialContext();
Object objref = initial.lookup(“MyConverter”);

ConverterHome home =
(ConverterHome)PortableRemoteObject.narrow(objref,
ConverterHome.class);

Converter currencyConverter = home.create();

double amount = currencyConverter.dollarToYen(100.00);

System.out.println(String.valueOf(amount));
amount = currencyConverter.yenToEuro(100.00);
System.out.println(String.valueOf(amount));

currencyConverter.remove();

} catch (Exception ex) {

System.err.println(“Caught an unexpected exception!”);
ex.printStackTrace();
}
}
}

RELATED TASKS
Chapter 17, “Compiling, linking, and running OO applications” on page 277
WebSphere for z/OS: Assembling J2EE Applications

RELATED REFERENCES
The Java 2 Enterprise Edition Developer’s Guide

Chapter 29. Communicating with Java methods 515

516 Programming Guide
Part 6. Specialized processing
Chapter 30. Interrupts and checkpoint/restart 519 Avoiding problems with packed-decimal fields 548
Setting checkpoints . . . . . . . . . . . 519 Moving from expanded to windowed date fields 548
Designing checkpoints . . . . . . . . . 520
Testing for a successful checkpoint . . . . . 520
DD statements for defining checkpoint data sets 521
Examples: defining checkpoint data sets . . 521
Messages generated during checkpoint . . . . 522
Restarting programs . . . . . . . . . . . 522
Requesting automatic restart . . . . . . . 523
Requesting deferred restart . . . . . . . . 523
Formats for requesting deferred restart . . . . 524
Example: requesting a deferred restart . . . 524
Resubmitting jobs for restart . . . . . . . 525
Example: restarting a job at a specific
checkpoint step. . . . . . . . . . . . 525
Example: requesting a step restart . . . . . 525
Example: resubmitting a job for a step restart 525
Example: resubmitting a job for a checkpoint
restart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 526

Chapter 31. Processing two-digit-year dates 527

Millennium language extensions (MLE) . . . . 528
Principles and objectives of these extensions . . 528
Resolving date-related logic problems . . . . . 529
Using a century window . . . . . . . . 530
Example: century window . . . . . . . 531
Using internal bridging . . . . . . . . . 531
Example: internal bridging . . . . . . . 532
Moving to full field expansion. . . . . . . 532
Example: converting files to expanded date
form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 533
Using year-first, year-only, and year-last date fields 534
Compatible dates . . . . . . . . . . . 535
Example: comparing year-first date fields . . . 536
Using other date formats . . . . . . . . 536
Example: isolating the year . . . . . . . . 536
Manipulating literals as dates . . . . . . . . 537
Assumed century window . . . . . . . . 538
Treatment of nondates . . . . . . . . . 539
Setting triggers and limits . . . . . . . . . 539
Example: using limits . . . . . . . . . 540
Using sign conditions . . . . . . . . . 541
Sorting and merging by date . . . . . . . . 541
Example: sorting by date and time . . . . . 542
Performing arithmetic on date fields. . . . . . 543
Allowing for overflow from windowed date
fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 543
Specifying the order of evaluation . . . . . 544
Controlling date processing explicitly . . . . . 545
Using DATEVAL . . . . . . . . . . . 545
Using UNDATE . . . . . . . . . . . 545
Example: DATEVAL . . . . . . . . . . 546
Example: UNDATE . . . . . . . . . . 546
Analyzing and avoiding date-related diagnostic
messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 546
Avoiding problems in processing dates . . . . . 548

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 517

518 Programming Guide
Chapter 30. Interrupts and checkpoint/restart
When programs run for an extended period of time, interruptions might halt
processing before the end of a job. The checkpoint/restart functions of z/OS allow
an interrupted program to be restarted at the beginning of a job step or at a
checkpoint that you have set.

Because the checkpoint/restart functions cause a lot of extra processing, use them
only when you anticipate interruptions caused by machine malfunctions, input or
output errors, or intentional operator intervention.

The checkpoint routine starts from the COBOL load module containing your
program. While your program is running, the checkpoint routine creates records at
points you have designated using the COBOL RERUN clause. A checkpoint record
contains a snapshot of the information in the registers and main storage when the
program reached the checkpoint.

The restart routine restarts an interrupted program. You can perform a restart at
any time after the program was interrupted: either immediately (automatic restart),
or later (deferred restart).

RELATED TASKS
“Setting checkpoints”
“Restarting programs” on page 522
“Resubmitting jobs for restart” on page 525
z/OS DFSMS: Checkpoint/Restart

RELATED REFERENCES
“DD statements for defining checkpoint data sets” on page 521
“Messages generated during checkpoint” on page 522
“Formats for requesting deferred restart” on page 524

Setting checkpoints
To set checkpoints, use job control statements, and use the RERUN clause in the
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION. Associate each RERUN clause with a particular COBOL file.

The RERUN clause indicates that a checkpoint record is to be written onto a

checkpoint data set whenever a specified number of records in the COBOL file has
been processed, or when END OF VOLUME is reached. You cannot use the RERUN
clause with files that have been defined with the EXTERNAL attribute.

You can write checkpoint records from several COBOL files onto one checkpoint
data set, but you must use a separate data set exclusively for checkpoint records.
You cannot embed checkpoint records in one of your program data sets.

Restriction: A checkpoint data set must have sequential organization. You cannot
write checkpoints on VSAM data sets or on data sets allocated to extended-format
QSAM data sets. Also, a checkpoint cannot be taken if any program in the run unit
has an extended-format QSAM data set open.

Checkpoint records are written on the checkpoint data set defined by a DD

statement. In the DD statement, you also choose the checkpoint method:

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 519

 Single (store single checkpoints)
Only one checkpoint record exists at any given time. After the first
checkpoint record is written, any succeeding checkpoint record overlays
the previous one.
This method is acceptable for most programs. You save space on the
checkpoint data set, and you can restart your program at the latest
checkpoint.
Multiple (store multiple contiguous checkpoints)
Checkpoints are recorded and numbered sequentially. Each checkpoint is
saved.
Use this method when you want to restart a program at a checkpoint other
than the latest one taken.

You must use the multiple checkpoint method for complete compliance to the
COBOL 85 Standard.

Checkpoints during sort operations have the following requirements:

v If checkpoints are to be taken during a sort operation, add a DD statement for
SORTCKPT in the job control procedure for execution.
v You can take checkpoint records on ASCII-collated sorts, but the system-name
indicating the checkpoint data set must not specify an ASCII file.

Designing checkpoints
Design your checkpoints at critical points in your program so that data can be
easily reconstructed. Do not change the contents of files between the time of a
checkpoint and the time of the restart.

In a program using disk files, design the program so that you can identify
previously processed records. For example, consider a disk file containing loan
records that are periodically updated for interest due. If a checkpoint is taken,
records are updated, and then the program is interrupted, you would want to test
that the records updated after the last checkpoint are not updated again when the
program is restarted. To do this, set up a date field in each record, and update the
field each time the record is processed. Then, after the restart, test the field to
determine whether the record was already processed.

For efficient repositioning of a print file, take checkpoints on the file only after
printing the last line of a page.

Testing for a successful checkpoint

After each input or output statement that issues a checkpoint, the RETURN-CODE
special register is updated with the return code from the checkpoint routine.
Therefore, you can test whether the checkpoint was successful and decide whether
conditions are right to allow a restart. If the return code is greater than 4, an error
has occurred in the checkpoint. Check the return code to prevent a restart that
could cause incorrect output.

RELATED TASKS
“Using checkpoint/restart with DFSORT” on page 196

RELATED REFERENCES
“DD statements for defining checkpoint data sets” on page 521
Return codes (z/OS DFSMS: Checkpoint/Restart)

520 Programming Guide

DD statements for defining checkpoint data sets
To define checkpoint data sets, use the following DD statements:

For tape:
//ddname DD DSNAME=data-set-name,
// [VOLUME=SER=volser,]UNIT=device-type,
// DISP=({NEW|MOD},PASS)

For direct-access devices:

//ddname DD DSNAME=data-set-name,
// [VOLUME=(PRIVATE,RETAIN,SER=volser),]
// UNIT=device-type,SPACE=(subparms),
// DISP=({NEW|MOD},PASS,KEEP)
ddname
Provides a link to the DD statement. The same as the ddname portion of the
assignment-name used in the COBOL RERUN clause.
data-set-name
Identifies the checkpoint data set to the restart procedure. The name given
to the data set used to record checkpoint records.
volser
Identifies the volume by serial number.
device-type
Identifies the device.
subparms
Specifies the amount of track space needed for the data set.
MOD Specifies the multiple contiguous checkpoint method.
NEW Specifies the single checkpoint method.
PASS Prevents deletion of the data set at successful completion of the job step,
unless the job step is the last in the job. If it is the last step, the data set is
deleted.
KEEP Keeps the data set if the job step abnormally ends.

“Examples: defining checkpoint data sets”

Examples: defining checkpoint data sets

The following examples show the job control language and COBOL coding you
can use to define checkpoint data sets.

Writing single checkpoint records, using tape:

//CHECKPT DD DSNAME=CHECK1,VOLUME=SER=ND0003,
// UNIT=TAPE,DISP=(NEW,KEEP),LABEL=(,NL)
. . .
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION.
. . .
RERUN ON CHECKPT EVERY
5000 RECORDS OF ACCT-FILE.

Writing single checkpoint records, using disk:

//CHEK DD DSNAME=CHECK2,
// VOLUME=(PRIVATE,RETAIN,SER=DB0030),
// UNIT=3380,DISP=(NEW,KEEP),SPACE=(CYL,5)
. . .
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION.

Chapter 30. Interrupts and checkpoint/restart 521

 . . .
RERUN ON CHEK EVERY
20000 RECORDS OF PAYCODE.
RERUN ON CHEK EVERY
30000 RECORDS OF IN-FILE.

Writing multiple contiguous checkpoint records, using tape:

//CHEKPT DD DSNAME=CHECK3,VOLUME=SER=111111,
// UNIT=TAPE,DISP=(MOD,PASS),LABEL=(,NL)
. . .
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION.
. . .
RERUN ON CHEKPT EVERY
10000 RECORDS OF PAY-FILE.

Messages generated during checkpoint

The system checkpoint routine advises the operator of the status of the checkpoints
taken by displaying informative messages on the console.

Each time a checkpoint has been successfully completed, a message is displayed

associating the jobname (ddname, unit, volser) with a checkid.

checkid is the identification name of the checkpoint taken. The control program
assigns checkid as an eight-character string. The first character is the letter C,
followed by a decimal number indicating the checkpoint. For example, the
following message indicates the fourth checkpoint taken in the job step:
checkid C0000004

Restarting programs
The system restart routine does the following:
v Retrieves the information recorded in a checkpoint record
v Restores the contents of main storage and all registers
v Restarts the program

You can begin the restart routine in one of two ways:

v Automatically, at the time an interruption stopped the program
v At a later time, as a deferred restart

The RD parameter of the job control language determines the type of restart. You
can use the RD parameter on either the JOB or the EXEC statement. If coded on the
JOB statement, the parameter overrides any RD parameters on the EXEC statement.

To suppress both restart and writing checkpoints, code RD=NC.

Restriction: If you try to restart at a checkpoint taken by a COBOL program

during a SORT or MERGE operation, an error message is issued and the restart is
canceled. Only checkpoints taken by DFSORT are valid.

Data sets that have the SYSOUT parameter coded on their DD statements are handled
in various ways depending on the type of restart.

If the checkpoint data set is multivolume, include in the VOLUME parameter the
sequence number of the volume on which the checkpoint entry was written. If the
checkpoint data set is on a 7-track tape with nonstandard labels or no labels, the
SYSCHK DD statement must contain DCB=(TRTCH=C,. . .).

522 Programming Guide

Requesting automatic restart
Automatic restart occurs only at the latest checkpoint taken. If no checkpoint was
taken before interruption, automatic restart occurs at the beginning of the job step.

Whenever automatic restart is to occur, the system repositions all devices except
unit-record devices.

If you want automatic restart, code RD=R or RD=RNC as follows:

v RD=R indicates that restart is to occur at the latest checkpoint. Code the RERUN
clause for at least one data set in the program in order to record checkpoints. If
no checkpoint is taken before interruption, restart occurs at the beginning of the
job step.
v RD=RNC indicates that no checkpoint is to be written, and any restart is to occur
at the beginning of the job step. In this case, RERUN clauses are unnecessary; if
any are present, they are ignored.

If you omit the RD parameter, the CHKPT macro instruction remains active, and
checkpoints can be taken during processing. If an interrupt occurs after the first
checkpoint, automatic restart will occur.

To restart automatically, a program must satisfy the following conditions:

v In the program you must request restart by using the RD parameter or by taking
a checkpoint.
v An abend that terminated the job must return a code that allows restart.
v The operator must authorize the restart.

“Example: requesting a step restart” on page 525

Requesting deferred restart

Deferred restart can occur at any checkpoint, not necessarily the latest one taken.
You can restart your program at a checkpoint other than at the beginning of the job
step.

When a deferred restart has been successfully completed, the system displays a
message on the console stating that the job has been restarted. Control is then
given to your program.

If you want deferred restart, code the RD parameter as RD=NR. This form of the
parameter suppresses automatic restart, but allows a checkpoint record to be
written provided that a RERUN clause has been coded.

Request a deferred restart by using the RESTART parameter on the JOB card and a
SYSCHK DD statement to identify the checkpoint data set. If a SYSCHK DD statement is
present in a job and the JOB statement does not contain the RESTART parameter, the
SYSCHK DD statement is ignored. If a RESTART parameter without the CHECKID
subparameter is included in a job, a SYSCHK DD statement must not appear before
the first EXEC statement for the job.

“Example: restarting a job at a specific checkpoint step” on page 525

RELATED TASKS
“Using checkpoint/restart with DFSORT” on page 196

Chapter 30. Interrupts and checkpoint/restart 523

 RELATED REFERENCES
“Formats for requesting deferred restart”

Formats for requesting deferred restart

The formats for the RESTART parameter on the JOB statement and the SYSCHK DD
statements are as follows:
//jobname JOB MSGLEVEL=1,RESTART=(request[,checkid])
//SYSCHK DD DSNAME=data-set-name,
// DISP=OLD[,UNIT=device-type,
// VOLUME=SER=volser]
MSGLEVEL=1 (or MSGLEVEL=(1,y))
MSGLEVEL is required.
RESTART=(request,[checkid])
Identifies the particular checkpoint at which restart is to occur.
request
Takes one of the following forms:
* Indicates restart at the beginning of the job.
stepname
Indicates restart at the beginning of a job step.
stepname.procstep
Indicates restart at a procedure step within the job step.

checkid
Identifies the checkpoint where restart is to occur.

SYSCHK
The ddname used to identify a checkpoint data set to the control program.
The SYSCHK DD statement must immediately precede the first EXEC
statement of the resubmitted job, and must follow any JOBLIB statement.
data-set-name
Identifies the checkpoint data set. It must be the same name that
was used when the checkpoint was taken.
device-type and volser
Identify the device type and the serial number of the volume
containing the checkpoint data set.

“Example: requesting a deferred restart”

Example: requesting a deferred restart

A restart of the GO step of an IGYWCLG procedure, at checkpoint identifier (CHECKID)
C0000003, might appear as follows:
//jobname JOB MSGLEVEL=1,RESTART=(stepname.GO,C0000003)
//SYSCHK DD DSNAME=CHEKPT,
// DISP=OLD[,UNIT=3380,VOLUME=SER=111111]
. . .

524 Programming Guide

Resubmitting jobs for restart
When you resubmit a job for restart, be careful with any DD statements that might
affect the execution of the restarted job step. The restart routine uses information
from DD statements in the resubmitted job to reset files for use after restart. Pay
attention to the following:
v If you want a data set to be deleted at the end of a job step, give it a conditional
disposition of PASS or KEEP (rather than DELETE) when you run it. This
disposition allows the data set to be available if an interruption forces a restart.
If you want to restart a job at the beginning of a step, you must first discard any
data set created (defined as NEW on a DD statement) in the previous run, or
change the DD statement to mark the data set as OLD.
v At restart time, position input data sets on cards as they were at the time of the
checkpoint. The system automatically repositions input data sets on tape or disk.

“Example: resubmitting a job for a step restart”

“Example: resubmitting a job for a checkpoint restart” on page 526

Example: restarting a job at a specific checkpoint step

This example shows a sequence of job control statements for restarting a job at a
specific step:
//PAYROLL JOB MSGLEVEL=1,REGION=80K,
// RESTART=(STEP1,CHECKPT4)
//JOBLIB DD DSNAME=PRIV.LIB3,DISP=OLD
//SYSCHK DD DSNAME=CHKPTLIB,
// [UNIT=TAPE,VOL=SER=456789,]
// DISP=(OLD,KEEP)
//STEP1 EXEC PGM=PROG4,TIME=5

Example: requesting a step restart

This example shows the use of the RD parameter. Here, the RD parameter requests
step restart for any abnormally terminated job step. The DD statement DDCKPNT
defines a checkpoint data set. For this step, after a RERUN clause is performed, only
automatic checkpoint restart can occur unless a CHKPT cancel is issued.
//J1234 JOB 386,SMITH,MSGLEVEL=1,RD=R
//S1 EXEC PGM=MYPROG
//INDATA DD DSNAME=INVENT[,UNIT=TAPE],DISP=OLD,
// [VOLUME=SER=91468,]
// LABEL=RETPD=14
//REPORT DD SYSOUT=A
//WORK DD DSNAME=T91468,DISP=(,,KEEP),
// UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(3000,(5000,500)),
// VOLUME=(PRIVATE,RETAIN,,6)
//DDCKPNT DD UNIT=TAPE,DISP=(MOD,PASS,CATLG),
// DSNAME=C91468,LABEL=(,NL)

Example: resubmitting a job for a step restart

This example shows the changes that you might make to control statements before
you resubmit the job for step restart:
v The job name has been changed (from J1234 to J3412) to distinguish the original
job from the restarted job.
v The RESTART parameter has been added to the JOB statement, and indicates that
restart is to begin with the first job step.
v The WORK DD statement was originally assigned a conditional disposition of KEEP
for this data set:

Chapter 30. Interrupts and checkpoint/restart 525

 – If the step terminated normally in the previous run of the job, the data set
was deleted and no changes need to be made to this statement.
– If the step abnormally terminated, the data set was kept. In that case, define a
new data set (S91468 instead of T91468, as shown below), or change the status
of the data set to OLD before resubmitting the job.
v A new data set (R91468 instead of C91468) has also been defined as the
checkpoint data set.
//J3412 JOB 386,SMITH,MSGLEVEL=1,RD=R,RESTART=*
//S1 EXEC PGM=MYPROG
//INDATA DD DSNAME=INVENT[,UNIT=TAPE],DISP=OLD,
// [VOLUME=SER=91468,]LABEL=RETPD=14
//REPORT DD SYSOUT=A
//WORK DD DSNAME=S91468,
// DISP=(,,KEEP),UNIT=SYSDA,
// SPACE=(3000,(5000,500)),
// VOLUME=(PRIVATE,RETAIN,,6)
//DDCHKPNT DD UNIT=TAPE,DISP=(MOD,PASS,CATLG),
// DSNAME=R91468,LABEL=(,NL)

“Example: requesting a step restart” on page 525

Example: resubmitting a job for a checkpoint restart

This example shows the changes that you might make to control statements before
you resubmit a job for checkpoint restart:
v The job name has been changed (from J1234 to J3412) to distinguish the original
job from the restarted job.
v The RESTART parameter has been added to the JOB statement, and indicates that
restart is to begin with the first step at the checkpoint entry named C0000002.
v The DD statement DDCKPNT was originally assigned a conditional disposition of
CATLG for the checkpoint data set:
– If the step terminated normally in the previous run of the job, the data set
was kept. In that case, the SYSCHK DD statement must contain all of the
information necessary for retrieving the checkpoint data set.
– If the job abnormally terminated, the data set was cataloged. In that case, the
only parameters required on the SYSCHK DD statement (as shown below) are
DSNAME and DISP.

If a checkpoint is taken in a job that is running when V=R is specified, the job
cannot be restarted until adequate nonpageable dynamic storage becomes
available.
//J3412 JOB 386,SMITH,MSGLEVEL=1,RD=R,
// RESTART=(*,C0000002)
//SYSCHK DD DSNAME=C91468,DISP=OLD
//S1 EXEC PGM=MYPROG
//INDATA DD DSNAME=INVENT,UNIT=TAPE,DISP=OLD,
// VOLUME=SER=91468,LABEL=RETPD=14
//REPORT DD SYSOUT=A
//WORK DD DSNAME=T91468,DISP=(,,KEEP),
// UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(3000,(5000,500)),
// VOLUME=(PRIVATE,RETAIN,,6)
//DDCKPNT DD UNIT=TAPE,DISP=(MOD,KEEP,CATLG),
// DSNAME=C91468,LABEL=(,NL)

526 Programming Guide

Chapter 31. Processing two-digit-year dates
With the millennium language extensions, you can make simple changes in your
COBOL programs to define date fields. The compiler recognizes and acts on these
dates by using a century window to ensure consistency. Use the following steps to
implement automatic date recognition in a COBOL program:
1. Add the DATE FORMAT clause to the data description entries of the data items in
the program that contain dates. You must identify all dates with DATE FORMAT
clauses, even those that are not used in comparisons.
2. To expand dates, use MOVE or COMPUTE statements to copy the contents of
windowed date fields to expanded date fields.
3. If necessary, use the DATEVAL and UNDATE intrinsic functions to convert between
date fields and nondates.
4. Use the YEARWINDOW compiler option to set the century window as either a fixed
window or a sliding window.
5. Compile the program with the DATEPROC(FLAG) compiler option, and review the
diagnostic messages to see if date processing has produced any unexpected
side effects.
6. When the compilation has only information-level diagnostic messages, you can
recompile the program with the DATEPROC(NOFLAG) compiler option to produce
a clean listing.

You can use certain programming techniques to take advantage of date processing
and control the effects of using date fields such as when comparing dates, sorting
and merging by date, and performing arithmetic operations involving dates. The
millennium language extensions support year-first, year-only, and year-last date
fields for the most common operations on date fields: comparisons, moving and
storing, and incrementing and decrementing.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Millennium language extensions (MLE)” on page 528

RELATED TASKS
“Resolving date-related logic problems” on page 529
“Using year-first, year-only, and year-last date fields” on page 534
“Manipulating literals as dates” on page 537
“Setting triggers and limits” on page 539
“Sorting and merging by date” on page 541
“Performing arithmetic on date fields” on page 543
“Controlling date processing explicitly” on page 545
“Analyzing and avoiding date-related diagnostic messages” on page 546
“Avoiding problems in processing dates” on page 548

RELATED REFERENCES
DATE FORMAT clause (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
“DATEPROC” on page 297
“YEARWINDOW” on page 331

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 527

Millennium language extensions (MLE)
The term millennium language extensions refers to the features of Enterprise COBOL
that the DATEPROC compiler option activates to help with logic problems involving
twenty-first century dates.

When enabled, the extensions include:

v The DATE FORMAT clause. Add this clause to items in the DATA DIVISION to
identify date fields and to specify the location of the year component within the
date.
v The reinterpretation of the function return value as a date field, for the following
intrinsic functions:
DATE-OF-INTEGER
DATE-TO-YYYYMMDD
DAY-OF-INTEGER
DAY-TO-YYYYDDD
YEAR-TO-YYYY
v The reinterpretation as a date field of the conceptual data items DATE, DATE
YYYYMMDD, DAY, and DAY YYYYDDD in the following forms of the ACCEPT statement:
ACCEPT identifier FROM DATE
ACCEPT identifier FROM DATE YYYYMMDD
ACCEPT identifier FROM DAY
ACCEPT identifier FROM DAY YYYYDDD
v The intrinsic functions UNDATE and DATEVAL, used for selective reinterpretation of
date fields and nondates.
v The intrinsic function YEARWINDOW, which retrieves the starting year of the
century window set by the YEARWINDOW compiler option.

The DATEPROC compiler option enables special date-oriented processing of identified

date fields. The YEARWINDOW compiler option specifies the 100-year window (the
century window) to use for interpreting two-digit windowed years.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Principles and objectives of these extensions”

RELATED REFERENCES
“DATEPROC” on page 297
“YEARWINDOW” on page 331

Principles and objectives of these extensions

To gain the most benefit from the millennium language extensions, you need to
understand the reasons for their introduction into the COBOL language.

The millennium language extensions focus on a few key principles:

v Programs to be recompiled with date semantics are fully tested and valuable
assets of the enterprise. Their only relevant limitation is that two-digit years in
the programs are restricted to the range 1900-1999.
v No special processing is done for the nonyear part of dates. That is why the
nonyear part of the supported date formats is denoted by Xs. To do otherwise
might change the meaning of existing programs. The only date-sensitive
semantics that are provided involve automatically expanding (and contracting)
the two-digit year part of dates with respect to the century window for the
program.

528 Programming Guide

 v Dates with four-digit year parts are generally of interest only when used in
combination with windowed dates. Otherwise there is little difference between
four-digit year dates and nondates.

Based on these principles, the millennium language extensions are designed to

meet several objectives. You should evaluate the objectives that you need to meet
in order to resolve your date-processing problems, and compare them with the
objectives of the millennium language extensions, to determine how your
application can benefit from them. You should not consider using the extensions in
new applications or in enhancements to existing applications, unless the
applications are using old data that cannot be expanded until later.

The objectives of the millennium language extensions are as follows:

v Extend the useful life of your application programs as they are currently
specified.
v Keep source changes to a minimum, preferably limited to augmenting the
declarations of date fields in the DATA DIVISION. To implement the century
window solution, you should not need to change the program logic in the
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
v Preserve the existing semantics of the programs when adding date fields. For
example, when a date is expressed as a literal, as in the following statement, the
literal is considered to be compatible (windowed or expanded) with the date
field to which it is compared:
If Expiry-Date Greater Than 980101 . . .

Because the existing program assumes that two-digit-year dates expressed as

literals are in the range 1900-1999, the extensions do not change this assumption.
v The windowing feature is not intended for long-term use. It can extend the
useful life of applications as a start toward a long-term solution that can be
implemented later.
v The expanded date field feature is intended for long-term use, as an aid for
expanding date fields in files and databases.

The extensions do not provide fully specified or complete date-oriented data types,
with semantics that recognize, for example, the month and day parts of Gregorian
dates. They do, however, provide special semantics for the year part of dates.

Resolving date-related logic problems

You can adopt any of three approaches to assist with date-processing problems:
Century window
You define a century window and specify the fields that contain windowed
dates. The compiler then interprets the two-digit years in these data fields
according to the century window.
Internal bridging
If your files and databases have not yet been converted to four-digit-year
dates, but you prefer to use four-digit expanded-year logic in your
programs, you can use an internal bridging technique to process the dates
as four-digit-year dates.
Full field expansion
This solution involves explicitly expanding two-digit-year date fields to
contain full four-digit years in your files and databases and then using

Chapter 31. Processing two-digit-year dates 529

 these fields in expanded form in your programs. This is the only method
that assures reliable date processing for all applications.

You can use the millennium language extensions with each approach to achieve a
solution, but each has advantages and disadvantages, as shown below.

Advantages and disadvantages by solution

Aspect Century window Internal bridging Full field expansion
Implementation Fast and easy but Some risk of Must ensure that changes
might not suit all corrupting data to databases, copybooks,
applications and programs are
synchronized
Testing Less testing is Testing is easy
required because no because changes to
changes to program program logic are
logic straightforward
Duration of fix Programs can Programs can Permanent solution
function beyond function beyond
2000, but not a 2000, but not a
long-term solution permanent solution
Performance Might degrade Good performance Best performance
performance
Maintenance Maintenance is easier.

“Example: century window” on page 531

“Example: internal bridging” on page 532
“Example: converting files to expanded date form” on page 533

RELATED TASKS
“Using a century window”
“Using internal bridging” on page 531
“Moving to full field expansion” on page 532

Using a century window

A century window is a 100-year interval, such as 1950-2049, within which any
two-digit year is unique. For windowed date fields, you specify the century
window start date by using the YEARWINDOW compiler option. When the DATEPROC
option is in effect, the compiler applies this window to two-digit date fields in the
program. For example, with a century window of 1930-2029, COBOL interprets
two-digit years as follows:

Year values from 00 through 29 are interpreted as years 2000-2029.

Year values from 30 through 99 are interpreted as years 1930-1999.

To implement this century window, you use the DATE FORMAT clause to identify the
date fields in your program and use the YEARWINDOW compiler option to define the
century window as either a fixed window or a sliding window:
v For a fixed window, specify a four-digit year between 1900 and 1999 as the
YEARWINDOW option value. For example, YEARWINDOW(1950) defines a fixed window
of 1950-2049.
v For a sliding window, specify a negative integer from -1 through -99 as the
YEARWINDOW option value. For example, YEARWINDOW(-48) defines a sliding
window that starts 48 years before the year that the program is running. So if

530 Programming Guide

 the program is running in 2002, the century window is 1954-2053, and in 2003 it
automatically becomes 1955-2054, and so on.

The compiler then automatically applies the century window to operations on the
date fields that you have identified. You do not need any extra program logic to
implement the windowing.

“Example: century window”

Example: century window

The following example shows (in bold) how to modify a program to use the
automatic date windowing capability. The program checks whether a video tape
was returned on time:
CBL LIB,QUOTE,NOOPT,DATEPROC(FLAG),YEARWINDOW(-60)
. . .
01 Loan-Record.
05 Member-Number Pic X(8).
05 Tape-ID Pic X(8).
05 Date-Due-Back Pic X(6) Date Format yyxxxx.
05 Date-Returned Pic X(6) Date Format yyxxxx.
. . .
If Date-Returned > Date-Due-Back Then
Perform Fine-Member.

In this example, there are no changes to the PROCEDURE DIVISION. The addition of
the DATE FORMAT clause on the two date fields means that the compiler recognizes
them as windowed date fields, and therefore applies the century window when
processing the IF statement. For example, if Date-Due-Back contains 000102
(January 2, 2000) and Date-Returned contains 991231 (December 31, 1999),
Date-Returned is less than (earlier than) Date-Due-Back, so the program does not
perform the Fine-Member paragraph.

Using internal bridging

For internal bridging, you can structure your program as follows:
1. Read the input files with two-digit-year dates.
2. Declare these two-digit dates as windowed date fields and move them to
expanded date fields, so that the compiler automatically expands them to
four-digit-year dates.
3. In the main body of the program, use the four-digit-year dates for all date
processing.
4. Window the dates back to two-digit years.
5. Write the two-digit-year dates to the output files.

This process provides a convenient migration path to a full expanded-date

solution, and can have performance advantages over using windowed dates.

When you use this technique, your changes to the program logic are minimal. You
simply add statements to expand and contract the dates, and change the
statements that refer to dates to use the four-digit-year date fields in
WORKING-STORAGE instead of the two-digit-year fields in the records.

Because you are converting the dates back to two-digit years for output, you
should allow for the possibility that the year is outside the century window. For
example, if a date field contains the year 2020, but the century window is
1920-2019, then the date is outside the window, and simply moving it to a
two-digit-year field will be incorrect. To protect against this problem, you can use a

Chapter 31. Processing two-digit-year dates 531

 COMPUTE statement to store the date, with the ON SIZE ERROR phrase to detect
whether or not the date is within the century window.

“Example: internal bridging”

RELATED TASKS
“Using a century window” on page 530
“Performing arithmetic on date fields” on page 543
“Moving to full field expansion”

Example: internal bridging

The following example shows (in bold) how a program can be changed to
implement internal bridging:
CBL DATEPROC(FLAG),YEARWINDOW(-60)
. . .
File Section.
FD Customer-File.
01 Cust-Record.
05 Cust-Number Pic 9(9) Binary.
. . .
05 Cust-Date Pic 9(6) Date Format yyxxxx.
Working-Storage Section.
77 Exp-Cust-Date Pic 9(8) Date Format yyyyxxxx.
. . .
Procedure Division.
Open I-O Customer-File.
Read Customer-File.
Move Cust-Date to Exp-Cust-Date.
. . .
*=====================================================*
* Use expanded date in the rest of the program logic *
*=====================================================*
. . .
Compute Cust-Date = Exp-Cust-Date
On Size Error Display “Exp-Cust-Date outside
century window”
End-Compute
Rewrite Cust-Record.

Moving to full field expansion

Using the millennium language extensions, you can move gradually toward a
solution that fully expands the date field:
1. Apply the century window solution, and use this solution until you have the
resources to implement a more permanent solution.
2. Apply the internal bridging solution. This way you can use expanded dates in
your programs while your files continue to hold dates in two-digit-year form.
You can progress more easily to a full-field-expansion solution, because there
will be no further changes to the logic in the main body of the programs.
3. Change the file layouts and database definitions to use four-digit-year dates.
4. Change your COBOL copybooks to reflect these four-digit-year date fields.
5. Run a utility program (or special-purpose COBOL program) to copy files from
the old format to the new format.
6. Recompile your programs and do regression testing and date testing.

After you have completed the first two steps, you can repeat the remaining steps
any number of times. You do not need to change every date field in every file at
the same time. Using this method, you can select files for progressive conversion
based on criteria such as business needs or interfaces with other applications.

532 Programming Guide

When you use this method, you need to write special-purpose programs to convert
your files to expanded-date form.

“Example: converting files to expanded date form”

Example: converting files to expanded date form

The following example shows a simple program that copies from one file to
another while expanding the date fields. The record length of the output file is
larger than that of the input file because the dates are expanded.
CBL LIB,QUOTE,NOOPT,DATEPROC(FLAG),YEARWINDOW(-80)
************************************************
** CONVERT - Read a file, convert the date **
** fields to expanded form, write **
** the expanded records to a new **
** file. **
************************************************
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
PROGRAM-ID. CONVERT.

ENVIRONMENT DIVISION.

INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION.
FILE-CONTROL.
SELECT INPUT-FILE
ASSIGN TO INFILE
FILE STATUS IS INPUT-FILE-STATUS.

SELECT OUTPUT-FILE
ASSIGN TO OUTFILE
FILE STATUS IS OUTPUT-FILE-STATUS.

DATA DIVISION.
FILE SECTION.
FD INPUT-FILE
RECORDING MODE IS F.
01 INPUT-RECORD.
03 CUST-NAME.
05 FIRST-NAME PIC X(10).
05 LAST-NAME PIC X(15).
03 ACCOUNT-NUM PIC 9(8).
03 DUE-DATE PIC X(6) DATE FORMAT YYXXXX. (1)
03 REMINDER-DATE PIC X(6) DATE FORMAT YYXXXX.
03 DUE-AMOUNT PIC S9(5)V99 COMP-3.

FD OUTPUT-FILE
RECORDING MODE IS F.
01 OUTPUT-RECORD.
03 CUST-NAME.
05 FIRST-NAME PIC X(10).
05 LAST-NAME PIC X(15).
03 ACCOUNT-NUM PIC 9(8).
03 DUE-DATE PIC X(8) DATE FORMAT YYYYXXXX. (2)
03 REMINDER-DATE PIC X(8) DATE FORMAT YYYYXXXX.
03 DUE-AMOUNT PIC S9(5)V99 COMP-3.

WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.

01 INPUT-FILE-STATUS PIC 99.

01 OUTPUT-FILE-STATUS PIC 99.

PROCEDURE DIVISION.

OPEN INPUT INPUT-FILE.

OPEN OUTPUT OUTPUT-FILE.

Chapter 31. Processing two-digit-year dates 533

 READ-RECORD.
READ INPUT-FILE
AT END GO TO CLOSE-FILES.
MOVE CORRESPONDING INPUT-RECORD TO OUTPUT-RECORD. (3)
WRITE OUTPUT-RECORD.

GO TO READ-RECORD.

CLOSE-FILES.
CLOSE INPUT-FILE.
CLOSE OUTPUT-FILE.

EXIT PROGRAM.

END PROGRAM CONVERT.

Notes
(1) The fields DUE-DATE and REMINDER-DATE in the input record are both
Gregorian dates with two-digit-year components. They are defined with a
DATE FORMAT clause in this program so that the compiler will recognize
them as windowed date fields.
(2) The output record contains the same two fields in expanded date format.
They are defined with a DATE FORMAT clause so that the compiler will treat
them as four-digit-year date fields.
(3) The MOVE CORRESPONDING statement moves each item in INPUT-RECORD
individually to its matching item in OUTPUT-RECORD. When the two
windowed date fields are moved to the corresponding expanded date
fields, the compiler will expand the year values using the current century
window.

Using year-first, year-only, and year-last date fields

A year-first date field is a date field whose DATE FORMAT specification consists of YY
or YYYY, followed by one or more Xs. The date format of a year-only date field has
just the YY or YYYY. When you compare two date fields of either of these types, the
two dates must be compatible; that is, they must have the same number of
nonyear characters. The number of digits for the year component need not be the
same.

A year-last date field is a date field whose DATE FORMAT clause specifies one or more
Xs preceding the YY or YYYY. Such date formats are commonly used to display
dates, but are less useful computationally, because the year, which is the most
significant part of the date, is in the least significant position of the date
representation.

If your version of DFSORT (or equivalent) has the appropriate capabilities,

year-last dates are supported as windowed keys in SORT or MERGE statements. Apart
from sort and merge operations, functional support for year-last date fields is
limited to equal or unequal comparisons and certain kinds of assignment. The
operands must be either dates with identical (year-last) date formats, or a date and
a nondate. The compiler does not provide automatic windowing for operations on
year-last dates. When an unsupported usage (such as arithmetic on year-last dates)
occurs, the compiler provides an error-level message.

If you need more general date-processing capability for year-last dates, you should
isolate and operate on the year part of the date.

534 Programming Guide

 “Example: comparing year-first date fields” on page 536

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Compatible dates”

RELATED TASKS
“Sorting and merging by date” on page 541
“Using other date formats” on page 536

Compatible dates
The meaning of the term compatible dates depends on the COBOL division in which
the usage occurs, as follows:
v The DATA DIVISION usage deals with the declaration of date fields, and the rules
governing COBOL language elements such as subordinate data items and the
REDEFINES clause. In the following example, Review-Date and Review-Year are
compatible because Review-Year can be declared as a subordinate data item to
Review-Date:
01 Review-Record.
03 Review-Date Date Format yyxxxx.
05 Review-Year Pic XX Date Format yy.
05 Review-M-D Pic XXXX.
v The PROCEDURE DIVISION usage deals with how date fields can be used together
in operations such as comparisons, moves, and arithmetic expressions. For
year-first and year-only date fields, to be considered compatible, date fields must
have the same number of nonyear characters. For example, a field with DATE
FORMAT YYXXXX is compatible with another field that has the same date format,
and with a YYYYXXXX field, but not with a YYXXX field.
Year-last date fields must have identical DATE FORMAT clauses. In particular,
operations between windowed date fields and expanded year-last date fields are
not allowed. For example, you can move a date field with a date format of
XXXXYY to another XXXXYY date field, but not to a date field with a format of
XXXXYYYY.

You can perform operations on date fields, or on a combination of date fields and
nondates, provided that the date fields in the operation are compatible. For
example, assume the following definitions:
01 Date-Gregorian-Win Pic 9(6) Packed-Decimal Date Format yyxxxx.
01 Date-Julian-Win Pic 9(5) Packed-Decimal Date Format yyxxx.
01 Date-Gregorian-Exp Pic 9(8) Packed-Decimal Date Format yyyyxxxx.

The following statement is inconsistent because the number of nonyear digits is

different between the two fields:
If Date-Gregorian-Win Less than Date-Julian-Win . . .

The following statement is accepted because the number of nonyear digits is the
same for both fields:
If Date-Gregorian-Win Less than Date-Gregorian-Exp . . .

In this case the century window is applied to the windowed date field
(Date-Gregorian-Win) to ensure that the comparison is meaningful.

When a nondate is used in conjunction with a date field, the nondate either is
assumed to be compatible with the date field or is treated as a simple numeric
value.

Chapter 31. Processing two-digit-year dates 535

 Example: comparing year-first date fields
In this example, a windowed date field is compared with an expanded date field,
so the century window is applied to Date-Due-Back:
77 Todays-Date Pic X(8) Date Format yyyyxxxx.
01 Loan-Record.
05 Date-Due-Back Pic X(6) Date Format yyxxxx.
. . .
If Date-Due-Back > Todays-Date Then . . .

Todays-Date must have a DATE FORMAT clause in this case to define it as an

expanded date field. If it did not, it would be treated as a nondate field, and
would therefore be considered to have the same number of year digits as
Date-Due-Back. The compiler would apply the assumed century window of
1900-1999, which would create an inconsistent comparison.

Using other date formats

To be eligible for automatic windowing, a date field should contain a two-digit
year as the first or only part of the field. The remainder of the field, if present,
must be between one and four characters, but its content is not important. For
example, it can contain a three-digit Julian day, or a two-character identifier of
some event specific to the enterprise.

If there are date fields in your application that do not fit these criteria, you might
have to make some code changes to define just the year part of the date as a date
field with the DATE FORMAT clause. Some examples of these types of date formats
are:
v A seven-character field consisting of a two-digit year, three characters containing
an abbreviation of the month and two digits for the day of the month. This
format is not supported because date fields can have only one through four
nonyear characters.
v A Gregorian date of the form DDMMYY. Automatic windowing is not provided
because the year component is not the first part of the date. Year-last dates such
as these are fully supported as windowed keys in SORT or MERGE statements, and
are also supported in a limited number of other COBOL operations.

If you need to use date windowing in cases like these, you will need to add some
code to isolate the year portion of the date.

“Example: isolating the year”

Example: isolating the year

In the following example, the two date fields contain dates of the form DDMMYY:
03 Last-Review-Date Pic 9(6).
03 Next-Review-Date Pic 9(6).
. . .
Add 1 to Last-Review-Date Giving Next-Review-Date.

In this example, if Last-Review-Date contains 230197 (January 23, 1997), then

Next-Review-Date will contain 230198 (January 23, 1998) after the ADD statement is
executed. This is a simple method for setting the next date for an annual review.
However, if Last-Review-Date contains 230199, then adding 1 gives 230200, which
is not the desired result.

Because the year is not the first part of these date fields, the DATE FORMAT clause
cannot be applied without some code to isolate the year component. In the next

536 Programming Guide

 example, the year component of both date fields has been isolated so that COBOL
can apply the century window and maintain consistent results:
03 Last-Review-Date Date Format xxxxyy.
05 Last-R-DDMM Pic 9(4).
05 Last-R-YY Pic 99 Date Format yy.
03 Next-Review-Date Date Format xxxxyy.
05 Next-R-DDMM Pic 9(4).
05 Next-R-YY Pic 99 Date Format yy.
. . .
Move Last-R-DDMM to Next-R-DDMM.
Add 1 to Last-R-YY Giving Next-R-YY.

Manipulating literals as dates

If a windowed date field has an 88-level condition-name associated with it, the
literal in the VALUE clause is windowed against the century window for the compile
unit rather than against the assumed century window of 1900-1999.

For example, suppose you have these data definitions:

05 Date-Due Pic 9(6) Date Format yyxxxx.
88 Date-Target Value 051220.

If the century window is 1950-2049 and the contents of Date-Due is 051220

(representing December 20, 2005), then the first condition below evaluates to true,
but the second condition evaluates to false:
If Date-Target
If Date-Due = 051220

The literal 051220 is treated as a nondate, and therefore it is windowed against the
assumed century window of 1900-1999 to represent December 20, 1905. But where
the same literal is specified in the VALUE clause of an 88-level condition-name, the
literal becomes part of the data item to which it is attached. Because this data item
is a windowed date field, the century window is applied whenever it is referenced.

You can also use the DATEVAL intrinsic function in a comparison expression to
convert a literal to a date field, and the output from the intrinsic function will then
be treated as either a windowed date field or an expanded date field to ensure a
consistent comparison. For example, using the above definitions, both of these
conditions evaluate to true:
If Date-Due = Function DATEVAL (051220 “YYXXXX”)
If Date-Due = Function DATEVAL (20051220 “YYYYXXXX”)

With a level-88 condition-name, you can specify the THRU option on the VALUE
clause, but you must specify a fixed century window on the YEARWINDOW compiler
option rather than a sliding window. For example:
05 Year-Field Pic 99 Date Format yy.
88 In-Range Value 98 Thru 06.

With this form, the windowed value of the second item must be greater than the
windowed value of the first item. However, the compiler can verify this difference
only if the YEARWINDOW compiler option specifies a fixed century window (for
example, YEARWINDOW(1940) rather than YEARWINDOW(-60).

The windowed order requirement does not apply to year-last date fields. If you
specify a condition-name VALUE clause with the THROUGH phrase for a year-last date
field, the two literals must follow normal COBOL rules. That is, the first literal
must be less than the second literal.

Chapter 31. Processing two-digit-year dates 537

 RELATED CONCEPTS
“Assumed century window”
“Treatment of nondates” on page 539

RELATED TASKS
“Controlling date processing explicitly” on page 545

Assumed century window

When the program operates on windowed date fields, the compiler applies the
century window for the compilation unit (that is, the one defined by the
YEARWINDOW compiler option). When a windowed date field is used in conjunction
with a nondate, and the context demands that the nondate also be treated as a
windowed date, the compiler uses an assumed century window to resolve the
nondate field.

The assumed century window is 1900-1999, which is typically not the same as the
century window for the compilation unit.

In many cases, particularly for literal nondates, this assumed century window is
the correct choice. In the following construct, the literal should retain its original
meaning of January 1, 1972, and not change to 2072 if the century window is, for
example, 1975-2074:
01 Manufacturing-Record.
03 Makers-Date Pic X(6) Date Format yyxxxx.
. . .
If Makers-Date Greater than “720101” . . .

Even if the assumption is correct, it is better to make the year explicit and
eliminate the warning-level diagnostic message (which results from applying the
assumed century window) by using the DATEVAL intrinsic function:
If Makers-Date Greater than
Function Dateval(“19720101” “YYYYXXXX”) . . .

In some cases, the assumption might not be correct. For the following example,
assume that Project-Controls is in a copy member that is used by other
applications that have not yet been upgraded for year 2000 processing, and
therefore Date-Target cannot have a DATE FORMAT clause:
01 Project-Controls.
03 Date-Target Pic 9(6).
. . .
01 Progress-Record.
03 Date-Complete Pic 9(6) Date Format yyxxxx.
. . .
If Date-Complete Less than Date-Target . . .

In the example, the following three conditions need to be true to make the
Date-Complete earlier than (less than) Date-Target:
v The century window is 1910-2009.
v Date-Complete is 991202 (Gregorian date: December 2, 1999).
v Date-Target is 000115 (Gregorian date: January 15, 2000).

However, because Date-Target does not have a DATE FORMAT clause, it is a nondate.
Therefore, the century window applied to it is the assumed century window of
1900-1999, and it is processed as January 15, 1900. So Date-Complete will be greater
than Date-Target, which is not the desired result.

538 Programming Guide

 In this case, you should use the DATEVAL intrinsic function to convert Date-Target
to a date field for this comparison. For example:
If Date-Complete Less than
Function Dateval (Date-Target “YYXXXX”) . . .

RELATED TASKS
“Controlling date processing explicitly” on page 545

Treatment of nondates
The simplest kind of nondate is a literal value. The following items are also
nondates:
v A data item whose data description does not include a DATE FORMAT clause.
v The results (intermediate or final) of some arithmetic expressions. For example,
the difference of two date fields is a nondate, whereas the sum of a date field
and a nondate is a date field.
v The output from the UNDATE intrinsic function.

When you use a nondate in conjunction with a date field, the compiler interprets
the nondate either as a date whose format is compatible with the date field or as a
simple numeric value. This interpretation depends on the context in which the date
field and nondate are used, as follows:
v Comparison
When a date field is compared with a nondate, the nondate is considered to be
compatible with the date field in the number of year and nonyear characters. In
the following example, the nondate literal 971231 is compared with a windowed
date field:
01 Date-1 Pic 9(6) Date Format yyxxxx.
. . .
If Date-1 Greater than 971231 . . .

The nondate literal 971231 is treated as if it had the same DATE FORMAT as Date-1,
but with a base year of 1900.
v Arithmetic operations
In all supported arithmetic operations, nondate fields are treated as simple
numeric values. In the following example, the numeric value 10000 is added to
the Gregorian date in Date-2, effectively adding one year to the date:
01 Date-2 Pic 9(6) Date Format yyxxxx.
. . .
Add 10000 to Date-2.
v MOVE statement
Moving a date field to a nondate is not supported. However, you can use the
UNDATE intrinsic function to do this.
When you move a nondate to a date field, the sending field is assumed to be
compatible with the receiving field in the number of year and nonyear
characters. For example, when you move a nondate to a windowed date field,
the nondate field is assumed to contain a compatible date with a two-digit year.

Setting triggers and limits

Triggers and limits are special values that never match valid dates because either
the value is nonnumeric or the nonyear part of the value cannot occur in an actual
date. Triggers and limits are recognized in date fields and also in nondates used in
combination with date fields.

Chapter 31. Processing two-digit-year dates 539

 Type of field Special value
Alphanumeric windowed date or year fields HIGH-VALUE, LOW-VALUE, and SPACE
Alphanumeric and numeric windowed date All nines or all zeros
fields with at least one X in the DATE FORMAT
clause (that is, date fields other than just a
year)

The difference between a trigger and a limit is not in the particular value, but in
the way it is used. You can use any of the special values as either a trigger or a
limit.

When used as triggers, special values can indicate a specific condition such as
“date not initialized” or “account past due.” When used as limits, special values
are intended to act as dates earlier or later than any valid date. LOW-VALUE, SPACE
and zeros are lower limits; HIGH-VALUE and nines are upper limits.

You activate trigger and limit support by specifying the TRIG suboption of the
DATEPROC compiler option. If the DATEPROC(TRIG) compiler option is in effect,
automatic expansion of windowed date fields (before their use as operands in
comparisons, arithmetic, and so on) is sensitive to these special values.

The DATEPROC(TRIG) option results in slower performing code when comparing

windowed dates. The DATEPROC(NOTRIG) option is a performance option that
assumes valid date values in all windowed date fields.

When an actual or assumed windowed date field contains a trigger, the compiler
expands the trigger as if the trigger value were propagated to the century part of
the expanded date result, rather than inferring 19 or 20 as the century value as in
normal windowing. In this way, your application can test for special values or use
them as upper or lower date limits. Specifying DATEPROC(TRIG) also enables SORT
and MERGE statement support of the DFSORT special indicators, which correspond
to triggers and limits.

Example: using limits

RELATED TASKS
“Using sign conditions” on page 541

Example: using limits

Suppose that your application checks subscriptions for expiration, but you want
some subscriptions to last indefinitely. You can use the expiration date field to hold
either normal expiration dates or a high limit for the “everlasting” subscription.
For example, consider the following code fragment:
Process DateProc(Flag,Trig). . .
. . .
01 SubscriptionRecord.
. . .
03 ExpirationDate PIC 9(6) Date Format yyxxxx.
. . .
77 TodaysDate Pic 9(6) Date Format yyxxxx.
. . .
If TodaysDate >= ExpirationDate
Perform SubscriptionExpired

Suppose that you have the following values:

540 Programming Guide

 v Today’s date is January 4, 2000, represented in TodaysDate as 000104.
v One subscription record has a normal expiration date of December 31, 1999,
represented as 991232.
v The special subscription expiration date is coded as 999999.

Because both dates are windowed, the first subscription is tested as if 20000104
were compared with 19991231, and so the test succeeds. However, when the
compiler detects the special value, it uses trigger expansion instead of windowing.
Therefore, the test proceeds as if 20000104 were compared with 99999999, and it
fails and will always fail.

Using sign conditions

Some applications use special values such as zeros in date fields to act as a trigger,
that is, to signify that some special processing is required. For example, in an
Orders file, a value of zero in Order-Date might signify that the record is a
customer totals record rather than an order record. The program compares the date
to zero, as follows:
01 Order-Record.
05 Order-Date Pic S9(5) Comp-3 Date Format yyxxx.
. . .
If Order-Date Equal Zero Then . . .

However, if you are compiling with the NOTRIG suboption of the DATEPROC compiler
option, this comparison is not valid because the literal value Zero is a nondate, and
is therefore windowed against the assumed century window to give a value of
1900000.

Alternatively, or if compiling on the workstation, you can use a sign condition

instead of a literal comparison as follows:
If Order-Date Is Zero Then . . .

With a sign condition, Order-Date is treated as a nondate, and the century window
is not considered.

This approach applies only if the operand in the sign condition is a simple
identifier rather than an arithmetic expression. If an expression is specified, the
expression is evaluated first, with the century window being applied where
appropriate. The sign condition is then compared with the results of the
expression.

You could use the UNDATE intrinsic function instead or the TRIG suboption of the
DATEPROC compiler option to achieve the same result.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Treatment of nondates” on page 539

RELATED TASKS
“Setting triggers and limits” on page 539
“Controlling date processing explicitly” on page 545

Sorting and merging by date

DFSORT is the IBM licensed program for sorting and merging. Wherever DFSORT
is mentioned here, you can use any equivalent product.

Chapter 31. Processing two-digit-year dates 541

 If your sort product supports the Y2PAST option and the windowed year identifiers
(Y2B, Y2C, Y2D, Y2S, and Y2Z), you can perform sort and merge operations using
windowed date fields as sort keys. Virtually all date fields that can be specified
with a DATE FORMAT clause are supported, including binary year fields and year-last
date fields. The fields will be sorted in windowed year sequence, according to the
century window that you specify in the YEARWINDOW compiler option.

If your sort product also supports the date field identifiers Y2T, Y2U, Y2W, Y2X, and
Y2Y, you can use the TRIG suboption of the DATEPROC compiler option. (Support for
these date field identifiers was added to DFSORT through APAR PQ19684.)

The special indicators that DFSORT recognizes match exactly those supported by
COBOL: LOW-VALUE, HIGH-VALUE, and SPACE for alphanumeric date or year fields,
and all zeros and all nines for numeric and alphanumeric date fields with at least
one nonyear digit.

“Example: sorting by date and time”

RELATED TASKS
OPTION control statement (Y2PAST) (DFSORT Application Programming Guide)

RELATED REFERENCES
“DATEPROC” on page 297
“YEARWINDOW” on page 331

Example: sorting by date and time

The following example shows a transaction file, with the transaction records sorted
by date and time within account number. The field Trans-Date is a windowed
Julian date field.
SD Transaction-File
Record Contains 29 Characters
Data Record is Transaction-Record

01 Transaction-Record.
05 Trans-Account PIC 9(8).
05 Trans-Type PIC X.
05 Trans-Date PIC 9(5) Date Format yyxxx.
05 Trans-Time PIC 9(6).
05 Trans-Amount PIC 9(7)V99.
. . .
Sort Transaction-File
On Ascending Key Trans-Account
Trans-Date
Trans-Time
Using Input-File
Giving Sorted-File.

COBOL passes the relevant information to DFSORT for it to perform the sort. In
addition to the information COBOL always passes to DFSORT, COBOL also passes
the following information:
v Century window as the Y2PAST sort option
v Windowed year field and date format of Trans-Date.

DFSORT uses this information to perform the sort.

542 Programming Guide

Performing arithmetic on date fields
You can perform arithmetic operations on numeric date fields in the same manner
as any numeric data item, and, where appropriate, the century window will be
used in the calculation. However, there are some restrictions on where date fields
can be used in arithmetic expressions and arithmetic statements.

Arithmetic operations that include date fields are restricted to:

v Adding a nondate to a date field
v Subtracting a nondate from a date field
v Subtracting a date field from a compatible date field to give a nondate result

The following arithmetic operations are not allowed:

v Any operation between incompatible date fields
v Adding two date fields
v Subtracting a date field from a nondate
v Unary minus, applied to a date field
v Multiplication, division, or exponentiation of or by a date field
v Arithmetic expressions that specify a year-last date field
v Arithmetic expressions that specify a year-last date field, except as a receiving
data item when the sending field is a nondate

Date semantics are provided for the year parts of date fields but not for the
nonyear parts. For example, adding 1 to a windowed Gregorian date field that
contains the value 980831 gives a result of 980832, not 980901.

Allowing for overflow from windowed date fields

A (nonyear-last) windowed date field that participates in an arithmetic operation is
processed as if the value of the year component of the field were first incremented
by 1900 or 2000, depending on the century window. For example:
01 Review-Record.
03 Last-Review-Year Pic 99 Date Format yy.
03 Next-Review-Year Pic 99 Date Format yy.
. . .
Add 10 to Last-Review-Year Giving Next-Review-Year.

If the century window is 1910-2009, and the value of Last-Review-Year is 98, then
the computation proceeds as if Last-Review-Year is first incremented by 1900 to
give 1998. Then the ADD operation is performed, giving a result of 2008. This result
is stored in Next-Review-Year as 08.

However, the following statement would give a result of 2018:

Add 20 to Last-Review-Year Giving Next-Review-Year.

This result falls outside the range of the century window. If the result is stored in
Next-Review-Year, it will be incorrect because later references to Next-Review-Year
will interpret it as 1918. In this case, the result of the operation depends on
whether the ON SIZE ERROR phrase is specified on the ADD statement:
v If SIZE ERROR is specified, the receiving field is not changed, and the SIZE ERROR
imperative statement is executed.
v If SIZE ERROR is not specified, the result is stored in the receiving field with the
left-hand digits truncated.

Chapter 31. Processing two-digit-year dates 543

 This consideration is important when you use internal bridging. When you
contract a four-digit-year date field back to two digits to write it to the output file,
you need to ensure that the date falls within the century window. Then the
two-digit-year date will be represented correctly in the field.

To ensure appropriate calculations, use a COMPUTE statement to do the contraction,

with a SIZE ERROR phrase to handle the out-of-window condition. For example:
Compute Output-Date-YY = Work-Date-YYYY
On Size Error Perform CenturyWindowOverflow.

SIZE ERROR processing for windowed date receivers recognizes any year value that
falls outside the century window. That is, a year value less than the starting year of
the century window raises the SIZE ERROR condition, as does a year value greater
than the ending year of the century window.

If the DATEPROC(TRIG) compiler option is in effect, trigger values of zeros or nines

in the result also cause the SIZE ERROR condition, even though the year part of the
result (00 or 99, respectively) falls within the century window.

Specifying the order of evaluation

Because of the restrictions on date fields in arithmetic expressions, you might find
that programs that previously compiled successfully now produce diagnostic
messages when some of the data items are changed to date fields.

Consider the following example:

01 Dates-Record.
03 Start-Year-1 Pic 99 Date Format yy.
03 End-Year-1 Pic 99 Date Format yy.
03 Start-Year-2 Pic 99 Date Format yy.
03 End-Year-2 Pic 99 Date Format yy.
. . .
Compute End-Year-2 = Start-Year-2 + End-Year-1 - Start-Year-1.

In this example, the first arithmetic expression evaluated is:

Start-Year-2 + End-Year-1

However, the addition of two date fields is not permitted. To resolve these date
fields, you should use parentheses to isolate the parts of the arithmetic expression
that are allowed. For example:
Compute End-Year-2 = Start-Year-2 + (End-Year-1 - Start-Year-1).

In this case, the first arithmetic expression evaluated is:

End-Year-1 - Start-Year-1

The subtraction of one date field from another is permitted and gives a nondate
result. This nondate result is then added to the date field End-Year-1, giving a date
field result that is stored in End-Year-2.

RELATED TASKS
“Using internal bridging” on page 531

544 Programming Guide

Controlling date processing explicitly
There might be times when you want COBOL data items to be treated as date
fields only under certain conditions, or only in specific parts of the program. Or
your application might contain two-digit-year date fields that cannot be declared
as windowed date fields because of some interaction with another software
product. For example, if a date field is used in a context where it is recognized
only by its true binary contents without further interpretation, the date in this field
cannot be windowed. Such date fields include:
v A key on a VSAM file
v A search field in a database system such as DB2
v A key field in a CICS command

Conversely, there might be times when you want a date field to be treated as a
nondate in specific parts of the program.

COBOL provides two intrinsic functions to deal with these conditions:

DATEVAL
Converts a nondate to a date field
UNDATE Converts a date field to a nondate

Using DATEVAL
You can use the DATEVAL intrinsic function to convert a nondate to a date field, so
that COBOL will apply the relevant date processing to the field. The first argument
in the function is the nondate to be converted, and the second argument specifies
the date format. The second argument is a literal string with a specification similar
to that of the date pattern in the DATE FORMAT clause.

In most cases, the compiler makes the correct assumption about the interpretation
of a nondate, but accompanies this assumption with a warning-level diagnostic
message. This message typically happens when a windowed date is compared
with a literal:
03 When-Made Pic x(6) Date Format yyxxxx.
. . .
If When-Made = “850701” Perform Warranty-Check.

The literal is assumed to be a compatible windowed date but with a century

window of 1900-1999, thus representing July 15, 1985. You can use the DATEVAL
intrinsic function to make the year of the literal date explicit and eliminate the
warning message:
If When-Made = Function Dateval(“19850701” “YYYYXXXX”)
Perform Warranty-Check.

“Example: DATEVAL” on page 546

Using UNDATE
The UNDATE intrinsic function converts a date field to a nondate, so that it can be
referenced without any date processing.

Attention: Avoid using UNDATE except as a last resort, because the compiler will
lose the flow of date fields in your program. This problem could result in date
comparisons not being windowed properly. Use more DATE FORMAT clauses instead
of function UNDATE for MOVE and COMPUTE.

Chapter 31. Processing two-digit-year dates 545

 “Example: UNDATE”

Example: DATEVAL
Assume that a program contains a field Date-Copied and that this field is
referenced many times in the program, but that most of these references move it
between records or reformat it for printing. Only one reference relies on it to
contain a date, for comparison with another date.

In this case, it is better to leave the field as a nondate, and use the DATEVAL intrinsic
function in the comparison statement. For example:
03 Date-Distributed Pic 9(6) Date Format yyxxxx.
03 Date-Copied Pic 9(6).
. . .
If FUNCTION DATEVAL(Date-Copied “YYXXXX”) Less than
Date-Distributed . . .

In this example, the DATEVAL intrinsic function converts Date-Copied to a date field
so that the comparison will be meaningful.

RELATED REFERENCES
DATEVAL (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Example: UNDATE
In the following example, the field Invoice-Date in Invoice-Record is a windowed
Julian date. In some records, it contains a value of 00999 to indicate that this is not
a true invoice record, but a record containing file control information.

Invoice-Date has been given a DATE FORMAT clause because most of its references in
the program are date-specific. However, in the instance where it is checked for the
existence of a control record, the value of 00 in the year component will lead to
some confusion. A year of 00 in Invoice-Date will represent a year of either 1900
or 2000, depending on the century window. This is compared with a nondate (the
literal 00999 in the example), which will always be windowed against the assumed
century window and will therefore always represent the year 1900.

To ensure a consistent comparison, you should use the UNDATE intrinsic function to
convert Invoice-Date to a nondate. Therefore, if the IF statement is not comparing
date fields, it does not need to apply windowing. For example:
01 Invoice-Record.
03 Invoice-Date Pic x(5) Date Format yyxxx.
. . .
If FUNCTION UNDATE(Invoice-Date) Equal “00999” . . .

RELATED REFERENCES
UNDATE (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Analyzing and avoiding date-related diagnostic messages

When the DATEPROC(FLAG) compiler option is in effect, the compiler produces
diagnostic messages for every statement that defines or references a date field. As
with all compiler-generated messages, each date-related message has one of the
following severity levels:
v Information-level, to draw your attention to the definition or use of a date field.
v Warning-level, to indicate that the compiler has had to make an assumption
about a date field or nondate because of inadequate information coded in the

546 Programming Guide

 program, or to indicate the location of date logic that should be manually
checked for correctness. Compilation proceeds, with any assumptions continuing
to be applied.
v Error-level, to indicate that the usage of the date field is incorrect. Compilation
continues, but run-time results are unpredictable.
v Severe-level, to indicate that the usage of the date field is incorrect. The
statement that caused this error is discarded from the compilation.

The easiest way to use the MLE messages is to compile with a FLAG option setting
that embeds the messages in the source listing after the line to which the messages
refer. You can choose to see all MLE messages or just certain severities.

To see all MLE messages, specify the FLAG(I,I) and DATEPROC(FLAG) compiler
options. Initially, you might want to see all of the messages to understand how
MLE is processing the date fields in your program. For example, if you want to do
a static analysis of the date usage in a program by using the compile listing, use
FLAG (I,I).

However, it is recommended that you specify FLAG(W,W) for MLE-specific compiles.

You must resolve all severe-level (S-level) error messages, and you should resolve
all error-level (E-level) messages as well. For the warning-level (W-level) messages,
you need to examine each message and use the following guidelines to either
eliminate the message or, for unavoidable messages, ensure that the compiler
makes correct assumptions:
v The diagnostic messages might indicate some date data items that should have
had a DATE FORMAT clause. Either add DATE FORMAT clauses to these items or use
the DATEVAL intrinsic function in references to them.
v Pay particular attention to literals in relation conditions that involve date fields
or in arithmetic expressions that include date fields. You can use the DATEVAL
function on literals (as well as nondate data items) to specify a DATE FORMAT
pattern to be used. As a last resort, you can use the UNDATE function to enable a
date field to be used in a context where you do not want date-oriented behavior.
v With the REDEFINES and RENAMES clauses, the compiler might produce a
warning-level diagnostic message if a date field and a nondate occupy the same
storage location. You should check these cases carefully to confirm that all uses
of the aliased data items are correct, and that none of the perceived nondate
redefinitions actually is a date or can adversely affect the date logic in the
program.

In some cases, a the W-level message might be acceptable, but you might want to
change the code to get a compile with a return code of zero.

To avoid warning-level diagnostic messages, follow these guidelines:

v Add DATE FORMAT clauses to any data items that will contain date data, even if
they are not used in comparisons.
v Do not specify a date field in a context where a date field does not make sense,
such as a FILE STATUS, PASSWORD, ASSIGN USING, LABEL RECORD, or LINAGE item. If
you do, you will get a warning-level message and the date field will be treated
as a nondate.
v Ensure that implicit or explicit aliases for date fields are compatible, such as in a
group item that consists solely of a date field.
v Ensure that if a date field is defined with a VALUE clause, the value is compatible
with the date field definition.

Chapter 31. Processing two-digit-year dates 547

 v Use the DATEVAL intrinsic function if you want a nondate treated as a date field,
such as when moving a nondate to a date field or when comparing a windowed
date with a nondate and you want a windowed date comparison. If you do not
use DATEVAL, the compiler will make an assumption about the use of the nondate
and produce a warning-level diagnostic message. Even if the assumption is
correct, you might want to use DATEVAL to eliminate the message.
v Use the UNDATE intrinsic function if you want a date field treated as a nondate,
such as moving a date field to a nondate, or comparing a nondate and a
windowed date field and you do not want a windowed comparison.

RELATED TASKS
“Controlling date processing explicitly” on page 545
Analyzing date-related diagnostic messages (COBOL Millennium Language
Extensions Guide)

Avoiding problems in processing dates

When you change a COBOL program to use the millennium language extensions,
you might find that some parts of the program need special attention to resolve
unforeseen changes in behavior. This section outlines some of the areas that you
might need to consider.

Avoiding problems with packed-decimal fields

COMPUTATIONAL-3 fields (packed-decimal format) are often defined as having an odd
number of digits, even if the field will not be used to hold a number of that
magnitude. The internal representation of packed-decimal numbers always allows
for an odd number of digits.

A field that holds a six-digit Gregorian date, for example, can be declared as PIC
S9(6) COMP-3, and this declaration will reserve 4 bytes of storage. But the
programmer might have declared the field as PIC S9(7), knowing that this would
reserve the same 4 bytes, with the high-order digit always containing a zero.

If you add a DATE FORMAT YYXXXX clause to this field, the compiler will give you a
diagnostic message because the number of digits in the PICTURE clause does not
match the size of the date format specification. In this case, you need to check
carefully each use of the field. If the high-order digit is never used, you can simply
change the field definition to PIC S9(6). If it is used (for example, if the same field
can hold a value other than a date), you need to take some other action, such as:
v Using a REDEFINES clause to define the field as both a date and a nondate (this
usage will also produce a warning-level diagnostic message)
v Defining another WORKING-STORAGE field to hold the date, and moving the
numeric field to the new field
v Not adding a DATE FORMAT clause to the data item, and using the DATEVAL
intrinsic function when referring to it as a date field

Moving from expanded to windowed date fields

When you move an expanded alphanumeric date field to a windowed date field,
the move does not follow the normal COBOL conventions for alphanumeric
moves. When both the sending and receiving fields are date fields, the move is
right justified, not left justified as normal. For an expanded-to-windowed
(contracting) move, the leading two digits of the year are truncated.

548 Programming Guide

Depending on the contents of the sending field, the results of such a move might
be incorrect. For example:
77 Year-Of-Birth-Exp Pic x(4) Date Format yyyy.
77 Year-Of-Birth-Win Pic xx Date Format yy.
. . .
Move Year-Of-Birth-Exp to Year-Of-Birth-Win.

If Year-Of-Birth-Exp contains ’1925’, Year-Of-Birth-Win will contain ’25’.

However, if the century window is 1930-2029, subsequent references to
Year-Of-Birth-Win will treat it as 2025, which is incorrect.

Chapter 31. Processing two-digit-year dates 549

550 Programming Guide
Part 7. Improving performance and productivity
Chapter 32. Tuning your program . . . . . . 553
Using an optimal programming style . . . . . 553
Using structured programming . . . . . . 554
Factoring expressions. . . . . . . . . . 554
Using symbolic constants . . . . . . . . 554
Grouping constant computations . . . . . . 554
Grouping duplicate computations . . . . . 555
Choosing efficient data types . . . . . . . . 555
Computational data items . . . . . . . . 555
Consistent data types. . . . . . . . . . 556
Arithmetic expressions . . . . . . . . . 556
Exponentiations . . . . . . . . . . . 556
Handling tables efficiently . . . . . . . . . 557
Optimization of table references . . . . . . 558
Optimization of constant and variable items 559
Optimization of duplicate items . . . . . 559
Optimization of variable-length items . . . 559
Comparison of direct and relative indexing 559
Optimizing your code . . . . . . . . . . 560
Optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . 560
Contained program procedure integration 561
PERFORM procedure integration . . . . . 561
Example: PERFORM procedure integration . . 562
Choosing compiler features to enhance
performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 562
Performance-related compiler options . . . . 563
Evaluating performance . . . . . . . . . 566
Running efficiently with CICS, IMS, or VSAM . . 566
CICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 566
IMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 567
VSAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 567

Chapter 33. Simplifying coding. . . . . . . 569

Eliminating repetitive coding . . . . . . . . 569
Example: using the COPY statement. . . . . 570
Using Language Environment callable services . . 571
Sample list of Language Environment callable
services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 572
Calling Language Environment services . . . 573
Example: Language Environment callable
services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 573

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 551

552 Programming Guide
Chapter 32. Tuning your program
When a program is comprehensible, you can assess its performance. A program
that has a tangled control flow is difficult to understand and maintain. The tangled
control flow also inhibits the optimization of the code. Therefore, before you try to
improve the performance directly, you need to assess certain aspects:
1. Examine the underlying algorithms for your program. For top performance, a
sound algorithm is essential. For example, a sophisticated algorithm for sorting
a million items can be hundreds of thousands times faster than a simple
algorithm.
2. Look at the data structures. They should be appropriate for the algorithm.
When your program frequently accesses data, reduce the number of steps
needed to access the data wherever possible.
3. After you have improved the algorithm and data structures, look at other
details of the COBOL source code that affect performance.

You can write programs that result in better generated code sequences and use
system services better. These five areas affect program performance:
v Coding techniques. These include using a programming style that helps the
optimizer, choosing efficient data types, and handling tables efficiently.
v Optimization. You can optimize your code by using the OPTIMIZE compiler
option.
v Compiler options and USE FOR DEBUGGING ON ALL PROCEDURES. Certain compiler
options and language affect the efficiency of your program.
v Run-time environment. Carefully consider your choice of run-time options and
other run-time considerations that control how your compiled program runs.
v Running under CICS, IMS, or using VSAM. Various tips can help make these
programs run efficiently.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Optimization” on page 560
IBM Enterprise COBOL Version 3 Release 1 Performance Tuning
(www.ibm.com/software/ad/cobol/zos/pdf/cobpf310.pdf)

RELATED TASKS
“Using an optimal programming style”
“Choosing efficient data types” on page 555
“Handling tables efficiently” on page 557
“Optimizing your code” on page 560
“Choosing compiler features to enhance performance” on page 562
Specifying run-time options (Language Environment Programming Guide)
“Running efficiently with CICS, IMS, or VSAM” on page 566

RELATED REFERENCES
“Performance-related compiler options” on page 563
Storage performance considerations (Language Environment Programming Guide)

Using an optimal programming style

The coding style you use can, in certain circumstances, affect how the optimizer
handles your code.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 553

 Using structured programming
Using structured programming statements (such as EVALUATE and inline PERFORM)
makes your program more comprehensible and generates a linear control flow. The
optimizer can then operate over larger regions of the program, which gives you
more efficient code.

Avoid using the following constructs:

v ALTER statement
v Backward branches (except as needed for loops for which PERFORM is unsuitable)
v PERFORM procedures that involve irregular control flow (such as a PERFORM
procedure that prevents control from passing to the end of the procedure and
returning to the PERFORM statement)

Use top-down programming constructs. Out-of-line PERFORM statements are a

natural means of doing top-down programming. With the optimizer, out-of-line
PERFORM statements can often be as efficient as inline PERFORM statements, because
the optimizer can simplify or remove the linkage code.

Factoring expressions
Factoring can save a lot of computation. For example, this code:
MOVE ZERO TO TOTAL
PERFORM VARYING I FROM 1 BY 1 UNTIL I = 10
COMPUTE TOTAL = TOTAL + ITEM(I)
END-PERFORM
COMPUTE TOTAL = TOTAL * DISCOUNT

is more efficient than this code:

MOVE ZERO TO TOTAL
PERFORM VARYING I FROM 1 BY 1 UNTIL I = 10
COMPUTE TOTAL = TOTAL + ITEM(I) * DISCOUNT
END-PERFORM

The optimizer does not do factoring for you.

Using symbolic constants

To have the optimizer recognize a data item as a constant throughout the program,
initialize it with a VALUE clause and do not change it anywhere in the program.

If you pass a data item to a subprogram BY REFERENCE, the optimizer considers it

to be an external data item and assumes that it is changed at every subprogram
call.

If you move a literal to a data item, the optimizer recognizes it as a constant, but
only in a limited region of the program after the MOVE statement.

Grouping constant computations

When several items of an expression are constant, ensure that the optimizer is
permitted to optimize them. For evaluating expressions, the compiler is bound by
the left-to-right evaluation rules of COBOL. Therefore, either move all the
constants to the left side of the expression or group them inside parentheses.

For example, given that V1, V2, and V3 are variables and that C1, C2, and C3 are
constants, the expressions that contain the constant computations are preferable to
those that do not:

554 Programming Guide

 More efficient Less efficient
V1 * V2 * V3 * (C1 * C2 * C3) V1 * V2 * V3 * C1 * C2 * C3
C1 + C2 + C3 + V1 + V2 + V3 V1 + C1 + V2 + C2 + V3 + C3

Often, in production programming, there is a tendency to place constant factors on

the right-hand side of expressions. However, this placement can result in less
efficient code because optimization is lost.

Grouping duplicate computations

When several components of different expressions are duplicates, make sure the
compiler is permitted to optimize them. For evaluating arithmetic expressions, the
compiler is bound by the left-to-right evaluation rules of COBOL. Therefore, either
move all the duplicates to the left side of the expressions or group them inside
parentheses.

Given that V1 through V5 are variables, the computation V2 * V3 * V4 is a

duplicate (known as a common subexpression) between the following two
statements:
COMPUTE A = V1 * (V2 * V3 * V4)
COMPUTE B = V2 * V3 * V4 * V5

In the following example, the common subexpression is V2 + V3:

COMPUTE C = V1 + (V2 + V3)
COMPUTE D = V2 + V3 + V4

No common subexpressions are in these examples:

COMPUTE A = V1 * V2 * V3 * V4
COMPUTE B = V2 * V3 * V4 * V5
COMPUTE C = V1 + (V2 + V3)
COMPUTE D = V4 + V2 + V3

The optimizer can eliminate duplicate computations; you do not need to introduce
artificial temporary computations. The program is often more comprehensible
without them.

Choosing efficient data types

Choosing the appropriate data type and PICTURE clause can produce more efficient
code, as can avoiding USAGE DISPLAY data items in areas heavily used for
computations. Consistent data types can reduce the need for conversions when
performing operations on data items. You can also improve program performance
by carefully determining when to use fixed-point and floating-point data types.

Computational data items

When you use a data item mainly for arithmetic or as a subscript, code USAGE
BINARY on the data description entry for the item. The operations for manipulating
binary data are faster than those for manipulating decimal data.

However, if a fixed-point arithmetic statement has intermediate results with a large

precision (number of significant digits), the compiler uses decimal arithmetic
anyway, after converting the operands to packed-decimal form. For fixed-point
arithmetic statements, the compiler normally uses binary arithmetic for simple

Chapter 32. Tuning your program 555

 computations with binary operands if the precision is eight digits or fewer. Above
18 digits, the compiler always uses decimal arithmetic. With a precision of nine to
18 digits, the compiler uses either form.

To produce the most efficient code for a BINARY data item, ensure that it has:
v A sign (an S in its PICTURE clause)
v Eight or fewer digits

For a data item that is larger than eight digits or is used with DISPLAY data items,
use PACKED-DECIMAL. The code generated for PACKED-DECIMAL data items can be as
fast as that for BINARY data items in some cases, especially if the statement is
complicated or specifies rounding.

To produce the most efficient code for a PACKED-DECIMAL data item, ensure that it
has:
v A sign (an S in its PICTURE clause)
v An odd number of digits (9s in the PICTURE clause), so that it occupies an exact
number of bytes without a half byte left over
v 15 or fewer digits in the PICTURE specification to avoid using library routines for
multiplication and division

Consistent data types

In operations on operands of different types, one of the operands must be
converted to the same type as the other. Each conversion requires several
instructions. For example, one of the operands might need to be scaled to give it
the appropriate number of decimal places.

You largely avoid conversions by using consistent data types, giving both operands
the same usage and also appropriate PICTURE specifications. That is, you should
give two numbers to be compared, added, or subtracted not only have the same
usage but also the same number of decimal places (9s after the V in the PICTURE
clause).

Arithmetic expressions
Computation of arithmetic expressions that are evaluated in floating point is most
efficient when the operands need little or no conversion. Use operands that are
COMP-1 or COMP-2 to produce the most efficient code.

Declare integer items as BINARY or PACKED-DECIMAL with nine or fewer digits to

afford quick conversion to floating-point data. Also, conversion from a COMP-1 or
COMP-2 item to a fixed-point integer with nine or fewer digits, without SIZE ERROR
in effect, is efficient when the value of the COMP-1 or COMP-2 item is less than
1,000,000,000.

Exponentiations
Use floating point for exponentiations for large exponents to achieve faster
evaluation and more accurate results. For example, the first statement below is
computed more quickly and accurately than the second statement:
COMPUTE fixed-point1 = fixed-point2 ** 100000.E+00

COMPUTE fixed-point1 = fixed-point2 ** 100000

556 Programming Guide

 A floating-point exponent causes floating-point arithmetic to be used to compute
the exponentiation.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Formats for numeric data” on page 40

Handling tables efficiently

Pay close attention to table-handling operations, particularly when they are a major
part of an application. Several techniques can improve the efficiency of these
operations and can also influence the optimizer. The return for your efforts can be
significant.

The following two guidelines affect your choice of how to refer to table elements:
v Use indexing rather than subscripting.
Although the compiler can eliminate duplicate indexes and subscripts, the
original reference to a table element is more efficient with indexes than with
subscripts, even if the subscripts are BINARY. The value of an index has the
element size factored into it, whereas the value of a subscript must be multiplied
by the element size when the subscript is used. The index already contains the
displacement from the start of the table, and this value does not have to be
calculated at run time. However, subscripting might be easier to understand and
maintain.
v Use relative indexing.
Relative index references (that is, references in which an unsigned numeric
literal is added to or subtracted from the index name) are executed as fast as
direct index references and sometimes faster. There is no merit in keeping
alternative indexes with the offset factored in.

Whether you use indexes or subscripts, the following guidelines can help you get
better performance in terms of how you code them:
v Put constant and duplicate indexes or subscripts on the left.
You can reduce or eliminate run-time computations by making the constant and
duplicate indexes or subscripts the leftmost ones. Even when all the indexes or
subscripts are variable, try to use your tables so that the rightmost subscript
varies most often for references that occur close to each other in the program.
This practice also improves the pattern of storage references as well as paging. If
all the indexes or subscripts are duplicates, then the entire index or subscript
computation is a common subexpression.
v Specify the element length so that it matches that of related tables.
When you index or subscript tables, it is most efficient if all the tables have the
same element length. With equal element lengths, the stride for the last
dimension of the tables will be equal. The optimizer can then reuse the
rightmost index or subscript computed for one table. If both the element lengths
and the number of occurrences in each dimension are equal, then the strides for
dimensions other than the last are also equal, resulting in greater commonality
between their subscript computations. The optimizer can then reuse indexes or
subscripts other than the rightmost.
v Avoid errors in references by coding index and subscript checks into your
program.
If you need to validate your indexes and subscripts, it might be faster to code
your own checks in your COBOL program than to use the SSRANGE compiler
option.

Chapter 32. Tuning your program 557

 You can also improve the efficiency of tables in situations covered by the following
guidelines:
v Use binary data items for all subscripts.
When you use subscripts to address a table, use a BINARY signed data item with
eight or fewer digits. In some cases, using four or fewer digits for the data item
might also improve processing time.
v Use binary data items for variable-length table items.
For tables with variable-length items, you can improve the code for OCCURS
DEPENDING ON (ODO). To avoid unnecessary conversions each time the
variable-length items are referenced, specify BINARY for OCCURS . . . DEPENDING
ON objects.
v Use fixed-length data items whenever possible.
Copying variable-length data items into a fixed-length data item before a period
of high-frequency use can reduce some of the overhead associated with using
variable-length data items.
v Organize tables according to the type of search method used.
If the table is searched sequentially, put the data values most likely to satisfy the
search criteria at the beginning of the table. If the table is searched using a
binary search algorithm, put the data values in the table sorted alphabetically on
the search key field.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Optimization of table references”

RELATED TASKS
“Referring to an item in a table” on page 61
“Choosing efficient data types” on page 555

RELATED REFERENCES
“SSRANGE” on page 321

Optimization of table references

For the table element reference ELEMENT(S1 S2 S3), where S1, S2, and S3 are
subscripts, the compiler evaluates the following expression:
comp_s1 * d1 + comp_s2 * d2 + comp_s3 * d3 + base_address

Here comp_s1 is the value of S1 after conversion to binary, comp-s2 is the value of
S2 after conversion to binary, and so on. The strides for each dimension are d1, d2,
and d3. The stride of a given dimension is the distance in bytes between table
elements whose occurrence numbers in that dimension differ by 1 and whose other
occurrence numbers are equal. For example, the stride, d2, of the second dimension
in the above example is the distance in bytes between ELEMENT(S1 1 S3) and
ELEMENT(S1 2 S3).

Index computations are similar to subscript computations, except that no

multiplication needs to be done. Index values have the stride factored into them.
They involve loading the indexes into registers, and these data transfers can be
optimized, much as the individual subscript computation terms are optimized.

Because the compiler evaluates expressions from left to right, the optimizer finds
the most opportunities to eliminate computations when the constant or duplicate
subscripts are the leftmost.

558 Programming Guide

Optimization of constant and variable items
Assume that C1, C2, . . . are constant data items and that V1, V2, . . . are variable
data items. Then, for the table element reference ELEMENT(V1 C1 C2) the compiler
can eliminate only the individual terms comp_c1 * d2 and comp_c2 * d3 as
constant from the expression:
comp_v1 * d1 + comp_c1 * d2 + comp_c2 * d3 + base_address

However, for the table element reference ELEMENT(C1 C2 V1) the compiler can
eliminate the entire subexpression comp_c1 * d1 + comp_c2 * d2 as constant from
the expression:
comp_c1 * d1 + comp_c2 * d2 + comp_v1 * d3 + base_address

In the table element reference ELEMENT(C1 C2 C3), all the subscripts are constant,
and so no subscript computation is done at run time. The expression is:
comp_c1 * d1 + comp_c2 * d2 + comp_c3 * d3 + base_address

With the optimizer, this reference can be as efficient as a reference to a scalar

(nontable) item.

Optimization of duplicate items

In the table element references ELEMENT(V1 V3 V4) and ELEMENT(V2 V3 V4) only the
individual terms comp_v3 * d2 and comp_v4 * d3 are common subexpressions in
the expressions needed to reference the table elements:
comp_v1 * d1 + comp_v3 * d2 + comp_v4 * d3 + base_address
comp_v2 * d1 + comp_v3 * d2 + comp_v4 * d3 + base_address

However, for the two table element references ELEMENT(V1 V2 V3) and ELEMENT(V1
V2 V4) the entire subexpression comp_v1 * d1 + comp_v2 * d2 is common between
the two expressions needed to reference the table elements:
comp_v1 * d1 + comp_v2 * d2 + comp_v3 * d3 + base_address
comp_v1 * d1 + comp_v2 * d2 + comp_v4 * d3 + base_address

In the two references ELEMENT(V1 V2 V3) and ELEMENT(V1 V2 V3), the expressions
are the same:
comp_v1 * d1 + comp_v2 * d2 + comp_v3 * d3 + base_address
comp_v1 * d1 + comp_v2 * d2 + comp_v3 * d3 + base_address

With the optimizer, the second (and any subsequent) reference to the same element
can be as efficient as a reference to a scalar (nontable) item.

Optimization of variable-length items

A group item that contains a subordinate OCCURS DEPENDING ON data item has a
variable length. The program must perform special code every time a
variable-length data item is referenced.

Because this code is out-of-line, it might interrupt optimization. Furthermore, the

code to manipulate variable-length data items is much less efficient than that for
fixed-size data items and can significantly increase processing time. For instance,
the code to compare or move a variable-length data item might involve calling a
library routine and is much slower than the same code for fixed-length data items.

Comparison of direct and relative indexing

Relative index references are as fast as or faster than direct index references.

The direct indexing in ELEMENT (I5, J3, K2) requires this preprocessing:

Chapter 32. Tuning your program 559

 SET I5 TO I
SET I5 UP BY 5
SET J3 TO J
SET J3 DOWN BY 3
SET K2 TO K
SET K2 UP BY 2

This processing makes the direct indexing less efficient than the relative indexing
in ELEMENT (I + 5, J - 3, K + 2).

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Optimization”

RELATED TASKS
“Handling tables efficiently” on page 557

Optimizing your code

When your program is ready for final test, specify OPTIMIZE so that the tested code
and the production code are identical.

You might also want to use this compiler option during development if a program
is used frequently without recompilation. However, the overhead for OPTIMIZE
might outweigh its benefits if you recompile frequently, unless you are using the
assembler language expansion (LIST compiler option) to fine-tune your program.

For unit-testing your program, you will probably find it easier to debug code that
has not been optimized.

To see how the optimizer works on your program, compile it with and without the
OPTIMIZE option and compare the generated code. (Use the LIST compiler option to
request the assembler language listing of the generated code.)

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Optimization”

RELATED REFERENCES
“LIST” on page 306
“OPTIMIZE” on page 312

Optimization
To improve the efficiency of the generated code, you can use the OPTIMIZE compiler
option to cause the COBOL optimizer to do the following:
v Eliminate unnecessary transfers of control and inefficient branches, including
those generated by the compiler that are not evident from looking at the source
program.
v Simplify the compiled code for both a PERFORM statement and a CALL statement to
a contained (nested) program. Where possible, the optimizer places the
statements inline, eliminating the need for linkage code. This optimization is
known as procedure integration. If procedure integration cannot be done, the
optimizer uses the simplest linkage possible (perhaps as few as two instructions)
to get to and from the called program.
v Eliminate duplicate computations (such as subscript computations and repeated
statements) that have no effect on the results of the program.

560 Programming Guide

v Eliminate constant computations by performing them when the program is
compiled.
v Eliminate constant conditional expressions.
v Aggregate moves of contiguous items (such as those that often occur with the
use of MOVE CORRESPONDING) into a single move. Both the source and target must
be contiguous for the moves to be aggregated.
v Delete from the program, and identify with a warning message, code that can
never be performed (unreachable code elimination).
v Discard unreferenced data items from the DATA DIVISION, and suppress
generation of code to initialize these data items to their VALUE clauses. (The
optimizer takes this action only when you use the FULL suboption.)

Contained program procedure integration

In contained program procedure integration, the contained program code replaces
a CALL to a contained program. The resulting program runs faster without the
overhead of CALL linkage and with more linear control flow.

Program size: If several CALL statements call contained programs and these
programs replace each such statement, the containing program can become large.
The optimizer limits this increase to no more than 50 percent, after which it no
longer integrates the programs. The optimizer then chooses the next best
optimization for the CALL statement; the linkage overhead can be as few as two
instructions.

Unreachable code: As a result of this integration, one contained program might

be repeated several times. As further optimization proceeds on each copy of the
program, portions might be found to be unreachable, depending on the context
into which the code was copied.

PERFORM procedure integration

PERFORM procedure integration is the process whereby a PERFORM statement is
replaced by its performed procedures. The advantage is that the resulting program
runs faster without the overhead of PERFORM linkage and with more linear control
flow.

Program size: If the performed procedures are invoked by several PERFORM

statements and replace each such statement, the program could become large. The
optimizer limits this increase to no more than 50 percent, after which it no longer
integrates these procedures. If you are concerned about program size, you can
prevent procedure integration in specific instances by using a priority number on
section names.

If you do not want a PERFORM statement to be replaced by its performed

procedures, put the PERFORM statement in one section and put the performed
procedures in another section with a different priority number. The optimizer then
chooses the next best optimization for the PERFORM statement; the linkage overhead
can be as few as two instructions.

Unreachable code: Because of procedure integration, one PERFORM procedure

might be repeated several times. As further optimization proceeds on each copy of
the procedure, portions might be found to be unreachable, depending on the
context into which the code was copied.

“Example: PERFORM procedure integration” on page 562

Chapter 32. Tuning your program 561

 RELATED CONCEPTS
“Optimization of table references” on page 558

RELATED REFERENCES
“OPTIMIZE” on page 312

Example: PERFORM procedure integration

All the PERFORM statements in the following program will be transformed by
procedure integration:
1 SECTION 5.
11. PERFORM 12
STOP RUN.
12. PERFORM 21
PERFORM 21.
2 SECTION 5.
21. IF A < 5 THEN
ADD 1 TO A
DISPLAY A
END-IF.

The program will be compiled as if it had originally been written as follows:

1 SECTION 5.
11.
12. IF A < 5 THEN
ADD 1 TO A
DISPLAY A
END-IF.
IF A < 5 THEN
ADD 1 TO A
DISPLAY A
END-IF.
STOP RUN.

By contrast, in the following program only the first PERFORM statement, PERFORM 12,
will be optimized by procedure integration:
1 SECTION.
11. PERFORM 12
STOP RUN.
12. PERFORM 21
PERFORM 21.
2 SECTION 5.
21. IF A < 5 THEN
ADD 1 TO A
DISPLAY A
END-IF.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Optimization of table references” on page 558

RELATED TASKS
“Optimizing your code” on page 560
Chapter 32, “Tuning your program” on page 553

Choosing compiler features to enhance performance

Your choice of performance-related compiler options and your use of the USE FOR
DEBUGGING ON ALL PROCEDURES statement can affect how well your program is
optimized.

562 Programming Guide

 You might have a customized system that requires certain options for optimum
performance. Do these steps:
1. To see what your system defaults are, get a short listing for any program and
review the listed option settings.
2. Check with your system programmer as to which options are fixed as
nonoverridable for your installation.
3. For the options not fixed by installation, select performance-related options for
compiling your programs.
Important: Confer with your system programmer on how you should tune
your COBOL programs. Doing so will ensure that the options you choose are
appropriate for programs being developed at your site.

Another compiler feature to consider besides compiler options is the USE FOR
DEBUGGING ON ALL PROCEDURES statement. It can greatly affect the compiler
optimizer. The ON ALL PROCEDURES option generates extra code at each transfer to a
procedure name. Although very useful for debugging, it can make the program
significantly larger and inhibit optimization substantially.

Although COBOL allows segmentation language, you will not improve storage
allocation by using it, because COBOL does not perform overlay.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Optimization” on page 560

RELATED TASKS
“Optimizing your code” on page 560
“Getting listings” on page 347

RELATED REFERENCES
“Performance-related compiler options”

Performance-related compiler options

In the table below you can see a brief description of the purpose of each option, its
performance advantages and disadvantages, and usage notes where applicable.

Compiler Performance
option Purpose Performance advantages disadvantages Usage notes
“AWO” on To get optimum Can result in performance In general, none When you use AWO, the APPLY
page 292 use of buffer savings, because this WRITE-ONLY clause is in effect
and device option results in fewer calls for all files in the program that
space to data management are physical sequential with
services to handle input V-mode records.
and output
DATA(31) To have DFSMS Because extended-format In general, none On a z/OS system with
allocate QSAM QSAM data sets can DFSMS, if your application
(see “DATA” buffers above require many buffers, processes striped
on page 296) the 16-MB line allocating the buffers in extended-format QSAM data
(by using the unrestricted storage avoids sets, use the RENT and
RENT and virtual storage constraint DATA(31) compiler options to
DATA(31) problems. have the input-output buffers
compiler for your QSAM files allocated
options) from storage above the 16-MB
line.

Chapter 32. Tuning your program 563

Compiler Performance
option Purpose Performance advantages disadvantages Usage notes
“DYNAM” To have Subprograms are easier to There is a slight To free virtual storage that is
on page 301 subprograms maintain, because the performance penalty no longer needed, issue the
(called through application does not have because the call must CANCEL statement.
the CALL to be link-edited again if a go through a
statement) subprogram is changed. Language
dynamically Environment routine.
loaded at run
time
“FASTSRT” To specify that Eliminates the overhead of None FASTSRT is recommended
on page 302 the IBM returning to Enterprise when direct work files are
DFSORT COBOL after each record is used for the sort work files.
product (or processed Not all sorts are eligible for
equivalent) will this option.
handle all of the
input and
output
NUMPROC(PFD) To have invalid Generates significantly For most references to When you use NUMPROC(PFD),
sign processing more efficient code for COMP-3 and DISPLAY the compiler assumes that the
(see bypassed for numeric comparisons numeric data items, data has the correct sign and
“NUMPROC” numeric NUMPROC(PFD) inhibits bypasses the sign “fix up”
on page 310) operations extra code from being process. Because not all
generated to “fix up” external data files contain the
signs. This extra code proper sign for COMP-3 or
might also inhibit DISPLAY signed numeric data,
some other types of NUMPROC(PFD) might not be
optimizations. The applicable for all programs.
extra code is For performance-sensitive
generated with applications, NUMPROC(PFD) is
NUMPROC(MIG) and recommended.
NUMPROC(NOPFD).
“OPTIMIZE” To optimize Generally results in more Longer compile time: NOOPTIMIZE is generally used
on page 312 generated code efficient run-time code OPTIMIZE requires during program development
for better more processing time when frequent compiles are
performance for compiles than needed; it also allows for
NOOPTIMIZE. easier debugging. For
production runs, OPTIMIZE is
recommended.
“RENT” on To generate a Enables the program to be Generates additional
page 316 reentrant placed in shared storage code to ensure that
program (LPA/ELPA) for faster the program is
execution reentrant
RMODE(ANY) To let the RMODE(ANY) with NORENT In general, none
program be lets the program and its
(see loaded WORKING-STORAGE be located
“RMODE” anywhere above the 16-MB line,
on page 317) relieving storage below the
line.

564 Programming Guide

Compiler Performance
option Purpose Performance advantages disadvantages Usage notes
NOSSRANGE To eliminate SSRANGE generates None In general, if you need to
code to verify additional code for verify the table references only
(see that all table verifying table references. a few times instead of at every
“SSRANGE” references and Using NOSSRANGE causes reference, coding your own
on page 321) reference that code not to be checks might be faster than
modification generated. using SSRANGE. You can turn
expressions are off SSRANGE at run time with
in proper the CHECK(OFF) run-time
bounds option. For
performance-sensitive
applications, NOSSRANGE is
recommended.
TEST(NONE) To avoid the Because the TEST compiler None TEST without the hook-location
or NOTEST additional object option with any suboption NONE in effect forces
code that would hook-location suboption the NOOPTIMIZE compiler
(see “TEST” be produced to other than NONE (that is, option into effect. For
on page 322) take full ALL, STMT, PATH, BLOCK) production runs, using NOTEST
advantage of generates additional code, or TEST(NONE,SYM) with or
Debug Tool, use it can cause significant without the SEPARATE
TEST(NONE) or performance degradation suboption, is recommended.
NOTEST. when used in a production This results in overlay hooks
Additionally, environment. The more rather than compiled-in hooks.
when using compiled-in hooks you
TEST(NONE), you specify, the more additional If during the production run,
can use the code is generated and the you want a symbolic dump of
SEPARATE greater performance the variables in a formatted
suboption of degradation might be. dump when the program
TEST option to abends, compile with
further reduce TEST(NONE,SYM) with or
the size of your without the SEPARATE
object code. suboption.
TRUNC(OPT) To avoid having Does not generate extra Both TRUNC(BIN) and TRUNC(STD) conforms to the
code generated code and generally TRUNC(STD) generate COBOL 85 Standard, but
(see to truncate the improves performance extra code whenever TRUNC(BIN) and TRUNC(OPT) do
“TRUNC” on receiving fields a BINARY data item is not. With TRUNC(OPT), the
page 326) of arithmetic changed. TRUNC(BIN) compiler assumes that the
operations is usually the slowest data conforms to the PICTURE
of these options, and USAGE specifications.
though its TRUNC(OPT) is recommended
performance was where possible.
improved in COBOL
for OS/390 & VM V2
R2.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Optimization” on page 560
“Storage and its addressability” on page 33

RELATED TASKS
“Generating a list of compiler error messages” on page 265
“Evaluating performance” on page 566
“Optimizing buffer and device space” on page 12
“Choosing compiler features to enhance performance” on page 562

Chapter 32. Tuning your program 565

 “Improving sort performance with FASTSRT” on page 191
“Using striped extended-format QSAM data sets” on page 139
“Handling tables efficiently” on page 557

RELATED REFERENCES
“Sign representation and processing” on page 45
“Allocation of buffers for QSAM files” on page 140

Evaluating performance
Fill in this worksheet to help you evaluate the performance of your program. If
you answer yes to each question, you are probably improving the performance.

In thinking about the performance tradeoff, be sure you understand the function of
each option as well as the performance advantages and disadvantages. You might
prefer function over increased performance in many instances.

Compiler option Consideration Yes?

AWO Do you use the AWO option when possible?
DATA When you use QSAM striped data sets, do you use the
DATA(31) option?
DYNAM Do you use NODYNAM? Consider the performance tradeoffs.
FASTSRT When you use direct work files for the sort work files,
have you selected the FASTSRT option?
NUMPROC Do you use NUMPROC(PFD) when possible?
OPTIMIZE Do you use OPTIMIZE for production runs? Can you use
OPTIMIZE(FULL)?
RENT Do you use NORENT? Consider the performance tradeoffs.
RMODE(ANY) Do you use RMODE(ANY) with your NORENT programs?
Consider the performance tradeoffs with storage usage.
SSRANGE Do you use NOSSRANGE for production runs?
TEST Do you use NOTEST, TEST(NONE,SYM) or
TEST(NONE,SYM,SEPARATE) for
productions runs?
TRUNC Do you use TRUNC(OPT) when possible?

RELATED TASKS
“Choosing compiler features to enhance performance” on page 562

RELATED REFERENCES
“Performance-related compiler options” on page 563

Running efficiently with CICS, IMS, or VSAM

You can improve performance for online programs running under CICS or IMS, or
programs that use VSAM, by following these tips:

CICS
If your application runs under CICS, convert EXEC CICS LINK commands to
COBOL CALL statements to improve transaction response time.

566 Programming Guide

IMS
If your application is running under IMS, preloading the application program and
the library routines can help to reduce the overhead of load and search. It can also
reduce the input-output activity.

For better system performance, use the RENT compiler option and preload the
applications and library routines when possible.

You can also use the library routine retention (LRR) function to improve
performance in IMS/TM regions.

VSAM
When you use VSAM files, increase the number of data buffers for sequential
access or index buffers for random access. Also, select a control interval size (CISZ)
appropriate for the application. Smaller CISZ results in faster retrieval for the
random processing at the expense of inserts, and a larger CISZ is more efficient for
sequential processing.

For better performance, access the records sequentially and avoid using multiple
alternate indexes when possible. If you do use alternate indexes, access method
services builds them more efficiently than the AIXBLD run-time option.

RELATED TASKS
“Coding COBOL programs to run under CICS” on page 375
Chapter 22, “Developing COBOL programs for IMS” on page 391
“Improving VSAM performance” on page 171
Language Environment Customization

RELATED REFERENCES
Specifying run-time options (Language Environment Programming Guide)

Chapter 32. Tuning your program 567

568 Programming Guide
Chapter 33. Simplifying coding
This material provides techniques for improving your productivity. By using the
COPY statement, COBOL intrinsic functions, and Language Environment callable
services, you can avoid repetitive coding and having to code many arithmetic
calculations or other complex tasks.

If your program contains frequently used code sequences (such as blocks of

common data items, input-output routines, error routines, or even entire COBOL
programs), write the code sequences once and put them into a COBOL copy
library. Then you can use the COPY statement to retrieve these code sequences from
the library and have them included in your program at compile time. This
eliminates repetitive coding.

COBOL provides various capabilities for manipulating strings and numbers. These
capabilities can help you simplify your coding.

The Language Environment date and time callable services store dates as fullword
binary integers and timestamps as long (64-bit) floating-point values. These
formats let you do arithmetic calculations on date and time values simply and
efficiently. You do not need to write special subroutines that use services outside
the language library for your application in order to perform these calculations.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Numeric intrinsic functions” on page 48
“Math and date Language Environment services” on page 49

RELATED TASKS
“Eliminating repetitive coding”
“Converting data items (intrinsic functions)” on page 96
“Evaluating data items (intrinsic functions)” on page 99
“Using Language Environment callable services” on page 571

Eliminating repetitive coding

Use the COPY statement to include stored source statements in any part of your
program. You can code them in any program division and at every code sequence
level. You can nest COPY statements to any depth.

To specify more than one copy library, use either multiple system definitions or a
combination of multiple definitions and the IN/OF phrase (IN/OF library-name):
z/OS batch
Use JCL to concatenate data sets on your SYSLIB DD statement.
Alternatively, define multiple DD statements and use the IN/OF phrase of
the COPY statement.
TSO Use the ALLOCATE command to concatenate data sets for SYSLIB.
Alternatively, issue multiple ALLOCATE statements and use the IN/OF phrase
of the COPY statement.
UNIX Use the SYSLIB environment variable to define multiple paths to your
copybooks. Alternatively, use multiple environment variables and use the
IN/OF phrase of the COPY statement.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 569

 For example:
COPY MEMBER1 OF COPYLIB

If you omit this qualifying phrase, the default is SYSLIB.

COPY and debugging line: In order for the text copied to be treated as debug lines,
for example, as if there were a D inserted in column 7, put the D on the first line of
the COPY statement. A COPY statement itself cannot be a debugging line; if it
contains a D and WITH DEBUGGING mode is not specified, the COPY statement is
nevertheless processed.

“Example: using the COPY statement”

RELATED REFERENCES
“Compiler-directing statements” on page 332

Example: using the COPY statement

Suppose the library entry CFILEA consists of the following FD entries:
BLOCK CONTAINS 20 RECORDS
RECORD CONTAINS 120 CHARACTERS
LABEL RECORDS ARE STANDARD
DATA RECORD IS FILE-OUT.
01 FILE-OUT PIC X(120).

You can retrieve the member CFILEA by using the COPY statement in your source
program code as follows:
FD FILEA
COPY CFILEA.

The library entry is copied into your program, and the resulting program listing
looks as follows:
FD FILEA
COPY CFILEA.
C BLOCK CONTAINS 20 RECORDS
C RECORD CONTAINS 120 CHARACTERS
C LABEL RECORDS ARE STANDARD
C DATA RECORD IS FILE-OUT.
C 01 FILE-OUT PIC X(120).

In the compiler source listing, the COPY statement prints on a separate line, and C
precedes copied lines.

Assume that a member named DOWORK was stored with the following statements:
COMPUTE QTY-ON-HAND = TOTAL-USED-NUMBER-ON-HAND
MOVE QTY-ON-HAND to PRINT-AREA

To retrieve the stored member, DOWORK, write:

paragraph-name.
COPY DOWORK.

The statements included in the DOWORK procedure will follow paragraph-name.

If you use the EXIT compiler option to provide a LIBEXIT module, your results
might differ from those shown here.

RELATED TASKS
“Eliminating repetitive coding” on page 569

570 Programming Guide

 RELATED REFERENCES
“Compiler-directing statements” on page 332

Using Language Environment callable services

Language Environment callable services make many types of programming tasks
easier. Called with standard COBOL CALL statements, Language Environment
services help you with the following tasks:
v Handling conditions
The Language Environment condition-handling facilities allow COBOL
applications to react to unexpected errors. You can use language constructs or
run-time options to select the level at which you want to handle each condition.
For example, you can decide to handle a particular error in your COBOL
program, let Language Environment take care of it, or have the operating system
handle it.
In support of Language Environment condition handling, COBOL provides
procedure-pointer data items.
v Managing dynamic storage
These services enable you to get, free, and reallocate storage. In addition, you
can create your own storage pools.
v Calculating dates and times
With the date and time services, you can get the current local time and date in
several formats, and perform date and time conversions. Two callable services,
CEEQCEN and CEESCEN, provide a predictable way to handle two-digit years,
such as 91 for 1991 or 02 for 2002.
v Making math calculations
Calculations that are easy to perform with mathematical callable services include
logarithmic, exponential, trigonometric, square root, and integer functions.
COBOL also supports a set of intrinsic functions that include some of the same
mathematical and date functions as those provided by the callable services. The
Language Environment callable services and intrinsic functions provide
equivalent results, with few exceptions. You should be familiar with these
differences before deciding which to use.
v Handling messages
Message-handling services include getting, dispatching, and formatting
messages. Messages for non-CICS applications can be directed to files or
printers; CICS messages are directed to a CICS transient data queue. Language
Environment splits messages to accommodate the record length of the
destination, and presents messages in the correct national language such as
Japanese or English.
v Supporting national languages
These services make it easy for your applications to support the language
desired by application users. You can set the language and country, and obtain
default date, time, number, and currency formats. For example, you might want
dates to appear as 23 June 02 or as 6,23,02.
v General services such as starting Debug Tool and obtaining a Language
Environment formatted dump
Debug Tool provides advanced debugging functions for COBOL applications,
including both batch and interactive debugging of COBOL-CICS programs.
Debug Tool enables you to debug a COBOL application from the host or, in
conjunction with VisualAge COBOL Version 3.0 (or higher), from the
workstation.

Chapter 33. Simplifying coding 571

 Depending on the options that you select, the Language Environment formatted
dump might contain the names and values of variables, and information about
conditions, program tracebacks, control blocks, storage, and files. All Language
Environment dumps have a common, well-labeled, and easy-to-read format.

“Example: Language Environment callable services” on page 573

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Sample list of Language Environment callable services”
“Numeric intrinsic functions” on page 48
“Math and date Language Environment services” on page 49

RELATED TASKS
“Calling Language Environment services” on page 573
“Using procedure and function pointers” on page 420

Sample list of Language Environment callable services

The following table gives some examples of the callable services available with
Language Environment. Many more services are available than those listed.

Function type Service Purpose

Condition CEEHDLR To register a user condition handler
handling
CEESGL To raise or signal a condition
CEEMRCR To indicate where the program will resume running after
the condition handler has completed
Dynamic storage CEEGTST To get storage
CEECZST To change the size of a previously allocated storage block
CEEFRST To free storage
Date and time CEECBLDY To convert a string that represents a date into COBOL
integer date format, which represents a date as the
number of days since 31 December 1600
CEEQCEN, To query and set the Language Environment century
CEESCEN window, which is valuable when a program uses two
digits to express a year
CEEGMTO To calculate the difference between the local system time
and Greenwich Mean Time
CEELOCT To get the current local time in your choice of three
formats
Math CEESIABS To calculate the absolute value of an integer
CEESSNWN To calculate the nearest whole number for a
single-precision floating-point number
CEESSCOS To calculate the cosine of an angle
Message CEEMOUT To dispatch a message
handling
CEEMGET To retrieve a message
National CEE3LNG To change or query the current national language
language support
CEE3CTY To change or query the current national country
CEE3MCS To obtain the default currency symbol for a given
country

572 Programming Guide

 Function type Service Purpose
General CEE3DMP To obtain a Language Environment formatted dump
CEETEST To start a debugging tool, such as Debug Tool

RELATED REFERENCES
Language Environment Programming Reference

Calling Language Environment services

To invoke a Language Environment service, use a CALL statement with the correct
parameters for that particular service:
CALL “CEESSSQT” using argument, feedback-code, result

Define the variables for the CALL statement in the DATA DIVISION with the
definitions required by the function you are calling:
77 argument comp-1.
77 feedback-code pic x(12) display.
77 result comp-1.

In this example, Language Environment service CEESSSQT calculates the value of

the square root of the variable argument and returns this value in the variable
result.

You can choose whether you want to specify the feedback code parameter. If you
specify the feedback code, the value returned in feedback-code indicates whether
the service completed successfully. If you specify OMITTED instead of the feedback
code and the service is not successful, a Language Environment condition is
automatically signaled to the Language Environment condition manager. You can
handle such a condition by recovery logic implemented in a user-written condition
handler, or allow the default Language Environment processing for unhandled
conditions to occur. In any case, this avoids the requirement to write logic to check
the feedback code explicitly after each call.

When you call a Language Environment callable service and specify OMITTED for
the feedback code, the RETURN-CODE special register is set to 0 if the service is
successful. It is not altered if the service is unsuccessful. If you do not specify
OMITTED for the feedback code, the RETURN-CODE special register is always set to 0
regardless of whether the service completed successfully.

“Example: Language Environment callable services”

RELATED CONCEPTS
General callable services (Language Environment Programming Guide)

RELATED REFERENCES
General callable services (Language Environment Programming Reference)
CALL statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Example: Language Environment callable services

Many callable services offer you entirely new function that would require extensive
coding using previous versions of COBOL. This example shows a sample COBOL
program that uses Language Environment services CEEDAYS and CEEDATE to

Chapter 33. Simplifying coding 573

 format and display a date from the results of a COBOL ACCEPT statement. Using
CEEDAYS and CEEDATE reduces the code that would be required without
Language Environment.
ID DIVISION.
PROGRAM-ID. HOHOHO.
************************************************************
* FUNCTION: DISPLAY TODAY’S DATE IN THE FOLLOWING FORMAT: *
* WWWWWWWWW, MMMMMMMM DD, YYYY *
* *
* For example: MONDAY, MARCH 13, 2002 *
* *
************************************************************
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION.
DATA DIVISION.
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
01 CHRDATE.
05 CHRDATE-LENGTH PIC S9(4) COMP VALUE 10.
05 CHRDATE-STRING PIC X(10).
01 PICSTR.
05 PICSTR-LENGTH PIC S9(4) COMP.
05 PICSTR-STRING PIC X(80).
*
77 LILIAN PIC S9(9) COMP.
77 FORMATTED-DATE PIC X(80).
*
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
***************************************************************
* USE LE DATE/TIME CALLABLE SERVICES TO PRINT OUT *
* TODAY’S DATE FROM COBOL ACCEPT STATEMENT. *
***************************************************************
ACCEPT CHRDATE-STRING FROM DATE.
*
MOVE “YYMMDD” TO PICSTR-STRING.
MOVE 6 TO PICSTR-LENGTH.
CALL “CEEDAYS” USING CHRDATE , PICSTR , LILIAN , OMITTED.
*
MOVE “ WWWWWWWWWZ, MMMMMMMMMZ DD, YYYY ” TO PICSTR-STRING.
MOVE 50 TO PICSTR-LENGTH.
CALL “CEEDATE” USING LILIAN , PICSTR , FORMATTED-DATE ,
OMITTED.
*
DISPLAY “******************************”.
DISPLAY FORMATTED-DATE.
DISPLAY “******************************”.
*
STOP RUN.

574 Programming Guide

Part 8. Appendixes

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 575

576 Programming Guide
Appendix A. Intermediate results and arithmetic precision
The compiler handles arithmetic statements as a succession of operations
performed according to operator precedence, and sets up intermediate fields to
contain the results of those operations. The compiler uses algorithms to determine
the number of integer and decimal places reserved.

Intermediate results are possible in the following cases:

v In an ADD or SUBTRACT statement containing more than one operand immediately
following the verb
v In a COMPUTE statement specifying a series of arithmetic operations, or multiple
result fields
v In an arithmetic expression contained in a conditional statement or in a reference
modification specification
v In an ADD, SUBTRACT, MULTIPLY, or DIVIDE statement using the GIVING option and
multiple result fields
v In a statement using an intrinsic function as an operand

“Example: calculation of intermediate results” on page 579

The precision of intermediate results depends on whether you compile using the
default option ARITH(COMPAT) (referred to as compatibility mode), or using
ARITH(EXTEND) (referred to as extended mode), explained below.

In compatibility mode, evaluation of arithmetic operations is unchanged from that

in releases of IBM COBOL before COBOL for OS/390 & VM Version 2 Release 2:
v A maximum of 30 digits is used for fixed-point intermediate results.
v Floating-point intrinsic functions return long-precision (64-bit) floating-point
results.
v Expressions containing floating-point operands, fractional exponents, or
floating-point intrinsic functions are evaluated as if all operands that aren’t in
floating point are converted to long-precision floating point and floating-point
operations are used to evaluate the expression.
v Floating-point literals and external floating-point data items are converted to
long-precision floating point for processing.

In extended mode, evaluation of arithmetic operations has the following

characteristics:
v A maximum of 31 digits is used for fixed-point intermediate results.
v Floating-point intrinsic functions return extended-precision (128-bit)
floating-point results.
v Expressions containing floating-point operands, fractional exponents, or
floating-point intrinsic functions are evaluated as if all operands that aren’t in
floating point are converted to extended-precision floating point and
floating-point operations are used to evaluate the expression.
v Floating-point literals and external floating-point data items are converted to
extended-precision floating point for processing.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 577

 RELATED CONCEPTS
“Formats for numeric data” on page 40
“Fixed-point versus floating-point arithmetic” on page 53

RELATED REFERENCES
“Fixed-point data and intermediate results” on page 579
“Floating-point data and intermediate results” on page 584
“Arithmetic expressions in nonarithmetic statements” on page 586
“ARITH” on page 291

Terminology used for intermediate results

In the discussion of the number of integer and decimal places that the compiler
reserves for intermediate results, the following terms are used:
i The number of integer places carried for an intermediate result. (If you use
the ROUNDED phrase, one more integer place might be carried for accuracy if
necessary.)
d The number of decimal places carried for an intermediate result. (If you
use the ROUNDED phrase, one more decimal place might be carried for
accuracy if necessary.)
dmax In a particular statement, the largest of the following:
v The number of decimal places needed for the final result field or fields
v The maximum number of decimal places defined for any operand,
except divisors or exponents
v The outer-dmax for any function operand
inner-dmax
In a reference to a function, the largest of the following:
v The number of decimal places defined for any of its elementary
arguments
v The dmax for any of its arithmetic expression arguments
v The outer-dmax for any of its embedded functions
outer-dmax
The number of decimal places that a function result contributes to
operations outside of its own evaluation (for example, if the function is an
operand in an arithmetic expression, or an argument to another function).
op1 The first operand in a generated arithmetic statement (in division, the
divisor).
op2 The second operand in a generated arithmetic statement (in division, the
dividend).
i1, i2 The number of integer places in op1 and op2, respectively.
d1, d2 The number of decimal places in op1 and op2, respectively.
ir The intermediate result when a generated arithmetic statement or
operation is performed. (Intermediate results are generated either in
registers or storage locations.)
ir1, ir2 Successive intermediate results. (Successive intermediate results might have
the same storage location.)

RELATED REFERENCES
ROUNDED phrase (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

578 Programming Guide

Example: calculation of intermediate results
The following example shows how the compiler performs an arithmetic statement
as a succession of operations, storing intermediate results as needed.
COMPUTE Y = A + B * C - D / E + F ** G

The result is calculated in the following order:

1. Exponentiate F by G yielding ir1.

2. Multiply B by C yielding ir2.
3. Divide E into D yielding ir3.
4. Add A to ir2 yielding ir4.
5. Subtract ir3 from ir4 yielding ir5.
6. Add ir5 to ir1 yielding Y.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Arithmetic expressions” on page 47

RELATED REFERENCES
“Terminology used for intermediate results” on page 578

Fixed-point data and intermediate results

The compiler determines the number of integer and decimal places in an
intermediate result as discussed in the following sections.

Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division

The following table shows the precision theoretically possible as the result of
addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division.

Operation Integer places Decimal places

+ or - (i1 or i2) + 1, whichever is greater d1 or d2, whichever is greater
* i1 + i2 d1 + d2
/ i2 + d1 (d2 - d1) or dmax, whichever is
greater

You must define the operands of any arithmetic statements with enough decimal
places to obtain the accuracy you want in the final result.

The following table shows the number of places the compiler carries for
fixed-point intermediate results of arithmetic operations involving addition,
subtraction, multiplication, or division in compatibility mode (that is, when you
compile using the default compiler option ARITH(COMPAT)):

Value of i +
Value of i + d Value of d dmax Number of places carried for ir
<30 Any value Any value i integer and d decimal places
=30

Appendix A. Intermediate results and arithmetic precision 579

 Value of i +
Value of i + d Value of d dmax Number of places carried for ir
>30 <dmax Any value 30-d integer and d decimal places
=dmax
>dmax <30 i integer and 30-i decimal places
=30
>30 30-dmax integer and dmax decimal
places

The following table shows the number of places the compiler carries for
fixed-point intermediate results of arithmetic operations involving addition,
subtraction, multiplication, or division in extended mode (that is, when you compile
using option ARITH(EXTEND)):

Value of i +
Value of i + d Value of d dmax Number of places carried for ir
<31 Any value Any value i integer and d decimal places
=31
>31 <dmax Any value 31-d integer and d decimal places
=dmax
>dmax <31 i integer and 31-i decimal places
=31
>31 31-dmax integer and dmax decimal
places

Exponentiation
Exponentiation is represented by the expression op1 ** op2. Based on the
characteristics of op2, the compiler handles exponentiation of fixed-point numbers
in one of three ways:
v When op2 is expressed with decimals, floating-point instructions are used.
v When op2 is an integral literal or constant, the value d is computed as
d = d1 * |op2|

and the value i is computed based on the characteristics of op1:

– When op1 is a data-name or variable,
i = i1 * |op2|
– When op1 is a literal or constant, i is set equal to the number of integers in
the value of op1 ** |op2|.

The compiler having calculated i and d takes the action indicated in the table
below to handle the intermediate results ir of the exponentiation when in
compatibility mode (compilation using ARITH(COMPAT)).

Value of i + d Other conditions Action taken

<30 Any i integer and d decimal places are carried for ir.

580 Programming Guide

 Value of i + d Other conditions Action taken
=30 op1 has an odd i integer and d decimal places are carried for ir.
number of digits.
op1 has an even Same action as when op2 is an integral data-name or
number of digits. variable (shown below). Exception: for a 30-digit
integer raised to the power of literal 1, i integer and
d decimal places are carried for ir.
>30 Any Same action as when op2 is an integral data name or
variable (shown below)

In extended mode (compilation using ARITH(EXTEND)), the compiler having

calculated i and d takes the action indicated in the table below to handle the
intermediate results ir of the exponentiation.

Value of i + d Other conditions Action taken

<31 Any. i integer and d decimal places are carried for ir.
=31 Any. Same action as when op2 is an integral data name or
>31 variable (shown below). Exception: for a 31-digit
integer raised to the power of literal 1, i integer and
d decimal places are carried for ir.

If op2 is negative, the value of 1 is then divided by the result produced by the
preliminary computation. The values of i and d that are used are calculated
following the division rules for fixed-point data already shown above.
v When op2 is an integral data name or variable, dmax decimal places and 30-dmax
(compatibility mode) or 31-dmax (extended mode) integer places are used. op1 is
multiplied by itself (|op2| - 1) times for nonzero op2.
If op2 is equal to 0, the result is 1. Division-by-0 and exponentiation SIZE ERROR
conditions apply.

Fixed-point exponents with more than nine significant digits are always truncated
to nine digits. If the exponent is a literal or constant, an E-level compiler diagnostic
message is issued; otherwise, an informational message is issued at run time.

“Example: exponentiation in fixed-point arithmetic”

RELATED REFERENCES
“Terminology used for intermediate results” on page 578
“Truncated intermediate results” on page 582
“Binary data and intermediate results” on page 582
“Floating-point data and intermediate results” on page 584
“Intrinsic functions evaluated in fixed-point arithmetic” on page 583
“ARITH” on page 291
SIZE ERROR phrases (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Example: exponentiation in fixed-point arithmetic

The following example shows how the compiler performs an exponentiation to a
nonzero integer power as a succession of multiplications, storing intermediate
results as needed.
COMPUTE Y = A ** B

Appendix A. Intermediate results and arithmetic precision 581

 If B is equal to 4, the result is computed as shown below. The values of i and d that
are used are calculated following the multiplication rules for fixed-point data and
intermediate results (referred to below).

1. Multiply A by A yielding ir1.

2. Multiply ir1 by A yielding ir2.
3. Multiply ir2 by A yielding ir3.
4. Move ir3 to ir4.

ir4 has dmax decimal places.

Because B is positive, ir4 is moved to Y. If B were equal to -4, however, an

additional step would be performed:

5. Divide ir4 into 1 yielding ir5.

ir5 has dmax decimal places, and would then be moved to Y.

RELATED REFERENCES
“Terminology used for intermediate results” on page 578
“Fixed-point data and intermediate results” on page 579

Truncated intermediate results

Whenever the number of digits in an intermediate result exceeds 30 in
compatibility mode or 31 in extended mode, the compiler truncates to 30
(compatibility mode) or 31 (extended mode) digits as shown in the tables referred
to below, and issues a warning. If truncation occurs at run time, a message is
issued and the program continues running.

If you want to avoid the truncation of intermediate results that can occur in
fixed-point calculations, use floating-point operands (COMP-1 or COMP-2) instead.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Formats for numeric data” on page 40

RELATED REFERENCES
“Fixed-point data and intermediate results” on page 579
“ARITH” on page 291

Binary data and intermediate results

If an operation involving binary operands requires intermediate results longer than
18 digits, the compiler converts the operands to internal decimal before performing
the operation. If the result field is binary, the compiler converts the result of the
operation from internal decimal to binary.

You use binary operands most efficiently when the intermediate results will not
exceed nine digits.

RELATED REFERENCES
“Fixed-point data and intermediate results” on page 579
“ARITH” on page 291

582 Programming Guide

Intrinsic functions evaluated in fixed-point arithmetic
The compiler determines the inner-dmax and outer-dmax values for an intrinsic
function from the characteristics of the function.

Integer functions
Integer intrinsic functions return an integer; thus their outer-dmax is always zero.
For those integer functions whose arguments must all be integers, the inner-dmax is
thus also always zero.

The following table summarizes the inner-dmax and the precision of the function
result.

Function Inner-dmax Digit precision of function result

DATE-OF-INTEGER 0 8
DATE-TO-YYYYMMDD 0 8
DAY-OF-INTEGER 0 7
DAY-TO-YYYYDDD 0 7
FACTORIAL 0 30 in compatibility mode, 31 in extended mode
INTEGER-OF-DATE 0 7
INTEGER-OF-DAY 0 7
LENGTH n/a 9
MOD 0 min(i1 i2)
ORD n/a 3
ORD-MAX 9
ORD-MIN 9
YEAR-TO-YYYY 0 4
INTEGER For a fixed-point argument: one more digit than in
the argument. For a floating-point argument: 30 in
compatibility mode, 31 in extended mode.
INTEGER-PART For a fixed-point argument: same number of digits
as in the argument. For a floating-point argument: 30
in compatibility mode, 31 in extended mode.

Mixed functions
A mixed intrinsic function is a function whose result type depends on the type of
its arguments. A mixed function is fixed point if all of its arguments are numeric
and none of its arguments is floating point. (If any argument of a mixed function is
floating point, the function is evaluated with floating-point instructions and returns
a floating-point result.) When a mixed function is evaluated with fixed-point
arithmetic, the result is integer if all of the arguments are integer; otherwise, the
result is fixed point.

For the mixed functions MAX, MIN, RANGE, REM, and SUM, the outer-dmax is always
equal to the inner-dmax (and both are thus zero if all the arguments are integer). To
determine the precision of the result returned for these functions, apply the rules
for fixed-point arithmetic and intermediate results (as referred to below) to each
step in the algorithm.
MAX

Appendix A. Intermediate results and arithmetic precision 583

 1. Assign the first argument to the function result.
2. For each remaining argument, do the following:
a. Compare the algebraic value of the function result with the
argument.
b. Assign the greater of the two to the function result.
MIN
1. Assign the first argument to the function result.
2. For each remaining argument, do the following:
a. Compare the algebraic value of the function result with the
argument.
b. Assign the lesser of the two to the function result.
RANGE
1. Use the steps for MAX to select the maximum argument.
2. Use the steps for MIN to select the minimum argument.
3. Subtract the minimum argument from the maximum.
4. Assign the difference to the function result.
REM
1. Divide argument one by argument two.
2. Remove all noninteger digits from the result of step 1.
3. Multiply the result of step 2 by argument two.
4. Subtract the result of step 3 from argument one.
5. Assign the difference to the function result.
SUM
1. Assign the value 0 to the function result.
2. For each argument, do the following:
a. Add the argument to the function result.
b. Assign the sum to the function result.

RELATED REFERENCES
“Terminology used for intermediate results” on page 578
“Fixed-point data and intermediate results” on page 579
“Floating-point data and intermediate results”
“ARITH” on page 291

Floating-point data and intermediate results

Floating-point instructions are used to compute an arithmetic expression if any of
the following conditions is true of the expression:
v A receiver or operand is COMP-1, COMP-2, external floating point, or a
floating-point literal.
v An exponent contains decimal places.
v An exponent is an expression that contains an exponentiation or division
operator, and dmax is greater than zero.
v An intrinsic function is a floating-point function.

If any operation in an arithmetic expression is computed in floating-point

arithmetic, the entire expression is computed as if all operands were converted to
floating point and the operations were performed using floating-point instructions.

584 Programming Guide

 If an expression is computed in floating-point arithmetic, the precision used to
evaluate the arithmetic operations is determined as follows in compatibility mode:
v Single precision is used if all receivers and operands are COMP-1 data items and
the expression contains no multiplication or exponentiation operations.
v In all other cases, long precision is used.

Whenever long-precision floating point is used for one operation in an arithmetic

expression, all operations in the expression are computed as if long floating-point
instructions were used.

In extended mode, if an expression is computed in floating-point arithmetic, the

precision used to evaluate the arithmetic operations is determined as follows:
v Single precision is used if all receivers and operands are COMP-1 data items and
the expression contains no multiplication or exponentiation operations.
v Long precision is used if all receivers and operands are COMP-1 or COMP-2 data
items, at least one receiver or operand is a COMP-2 data item, and the expression
contains no multiplication or exponentiation operations.
v In all other cases, extended precision is used.

Whenever extended-precision floating point is used for one operation in an

arithmetic expression, all operations in the expression are computed as if
extended-precision floating-point instructions were used.

Alert: If a floating-point operation has an intermediate result field in which

exponent overflow occurs, the job is abnormally terminated.

Exponentiations evaluated in floating-point arithmetic

Floating-point exponentiations are always evaluated using long floating-point
arithmetic in compatibility mode. In extended mode, floating-point exponentiations
are always evaluated using extended-precision floating-point arithmetic.

The value of a negative number raised to a fractional power is undefined in

COBOL. For example, (-2) ** 3 is equal to -8, but (-2) ** (3.000001) is undefined.
When an exponentiation is evaluated in floating point and there is a possibility
that the result is undefined, the exponent is evaluated at run time to determine if it
has an integral value. If not, a diagnostic message is issued.

Intrinsic functions evaluated in floating-point arithmetic

Floating-point intrinsic functions always return a long (64-bit) floating-point value
in compatibility mode. In extended mode, floating-point intrinsic functions always
return an extended-precision (128-bit) floating-point value.

Mixed functions with at least one floating-point argument are evaluated using
floating-point arithmetic.

RELATED REFERENCES
“Terminology used for intermediate results” on page 578
“ARITH” on page 291

Appendix A. Intermediate results and arithmetic precision 585

Arithmetic expressions in nonarithmetic statements
Arithmetic expressions can appear in contexts other than arithmetic statements. For
example, you can use an arithmetic expression with the IF or EVALUATE statement.
In such statements, the rules for intermediate results with fixed-point data and for
intermediate results with floating-point data apply, with the following changes:
v Abbreviated IF statements are handled as though the statements were not
abbreviated.
v In an explicit relation condition where at least one of the comparands is an
arithmetic expression, dmax is the maximum number of decimal places for any
operand of either comparand, excluding divisors and exponents. The rules for
floating-point arithmetic apply if any of the following conditions is true:
– Any operand in either comparand is COMP-1, COMP-2, external floating point,
or a floating-point literal.
– An exponent contains decimal places.
– An exponent is an expression that contains an exponentiation or division
operator, and dmax is greater than zero.

For example:
IF operand-1 = expression-1 THEN . . .

If operand-1 is a data-name defined to be COMP-2, the rules for floating-point

arithmetic apply to expression-1 even if it contains only fixed-point operands,
because it is being compared to a floating-point operand.
v When the comparison between an arithmetic expression and another data item
or arithmetic expression does not use a relational operator (that is, there is no
explicit relation condition), the arithmetic expression is evaluated without regard
to the attributes of its comparand. For example:
EVALUATE expression-1
WHEN expression-2 THRU expression-3
WHEN expression-4
. . .
END-EVALUATE

In the statement above, each arithmetic expression is evaluated in fixed-point or

floating-point arithmetic based on its own characteristics.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“Fixed-point versus floating-point arithmetic” on page 53

RELATED REFERENCES
“Terminology used for intermediate results” on page 578
“Fixed-point data and intermediate results” on page 579
“Floating-point data and intermediate results” on page 584
IF statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
EVALUATE statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
Conditional expressions (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

586 Programming Guide

Appendix B. Complex OCCURS DEPENDING ON
Complex OCCURS DEPENDING ON (ODO) is supported as an extension to the COBOL
85 Standard.

The basic forms of complex ODO permitted by the compiler are as follows:
v Variably located item or group: A data item described by an OCCURS clause with
the DEPENDING ON option is followed by a nonsubordinate data item or group.
v Variably located table: A data item described by an OCCURS clause with the
DEPENDING ON option is followed by a nonsubordinate data item described by an
OCCURS clause.
v Table with variable-length elements: A data item described by an OCCURS clause
contains a subordinate data item described by an OCCURS clause with the
DEPENDING ON option.
v Index name for a table with variable-length elements.
v Element of a table with variable-length elements.

Complex ODO can help you save disk space, but it can be tricky to use and can
make maintaining your code more difficult.

“Example: complex ODO”

RELATED TASKS
“Preventing index errors when changing ODO object value” on page 589
“Preventing overlay when adding elements to a variable table” on page 589

RELATED REFERENCES
“Effects of change in ODO object value” on page 588
OCCURS DEPENDING ON clause (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Example: complex ODO

The following example illustrates the possible types of occurrence of complex
ODO:
01 FIELD-A.
02 COUNTER-1 PIC S99.
02 COUNTER-2 PIC S99.
02 TABLE-1.
03 RECORD-1 OCCURS 1 TO 5 TIMES
DEPENDING ON COUNTER-1 PIC X(3).
02 EMPLOYEE-NUMBER PIC X(5). (1)
02 TABLE-2 OCCURS 5 TIMES (2)(3)
INDEXED BY INDX. (4)
03 TABLE-ITEM PIC 99. (5)
03 RECORD-2 OCCURS 1 TO 3 TIMES
DEPENDING ON COUNTER-2.
04 DATA-NUM PIC S99.

Definition: In the example, COUNTER-1 is an ODO object, that is, it is the object of
the DEPENDING ON clause of RECORD-1. RECORD-1 is said to be an ODO subject.
Similarly, COUNTER-2 is the ODO object of the corresponding ODO subject,
RECORD-2.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 587

 The types of complex ODO occurrences shown in the example above are as
follows:
(1) A variably located item: EMPLOYEE-NUMBER is a data item following, but not
subordinate to, a variable-length table in the same level-01 record.
(2) A variably located table: TABLE-2 is a table following, but not subordinate
to, a variable-length table in the same level-01 record.
(3) A table with variable-length elements: TABLE-2 is a table containing a
subordinate data item, RECORD-2, whose number of occurrences varies
depending on the content of its ODO object.
(4) An index name, INDX, for a table with variable-length elements.
(5) An element, TABLE-ITEM, of a table with variable-length elements.

How length is calculated

The length of the variable portion of each record is the product of its ODO object
and the length of its ODO subject. For example, whenever a reference is made to
one of the complex ODO items shown above, the actual length, if used, is
computed as follows:
v The length of TABLE-1 is calculated by multiplying the contents of COUNTER-1 (the
number of occurrences of RECORD-1) by 3 (the length of RECORD-1).
v The length of TABLE-2 is calculated by multiplying the contents of COUNTER-2 (the
number of occurrences of RECORD-2) by 2 (the length of RECORD-2), and adding
the length of TABLE-ITEM.
v The length of FIELD-A is calculated by adding the lengths of COUNTER-1,
COUNTER-2, TABLE-1, EMPLOYEE-NUMBER, and TABLE-2 times 5.

Setting values of ODO objects

You must set every ODO object in a group before you reference any complex ODO
item in the group. For example, before you refer to EMPLOYEE-NUMBER in the code
above, you must set COUNTER-1 and COUNTER-2 even though EMPLOYEE-NUMBER does
not directly depend on either ODO object for its value.

Restriction: An ODO object cannot be variably located.

Effects of change in ODO object value

If a data item described by an OCCURS clause with the DEPENDING ON option is
followed in the same group by one or more nonsubordinate data items (a form of
complex ODO), any change in value of the ODO object affects subsequent
references to complex ODO items in the record:
v The size of any group containing the relevant ODO clause reflects the new value
of the ODO object.
v A MOVE to a group containing the ODO subject is made based on the new value
of the ODO object.
v The location of any nonsubordinate items following the item described with the
ODO clause is affected by the new value of the ODO object. (To preserve the
contents of the nonsubordinate items, move them to a work area before the
value of the ODO object changes; then move them back.)

The value of an ODO object can change when you move data to the ODO object or
to the group in which it is contained. The value can also change if the ODO object
is contained in a record that is the target of a READ statement.

588 Programming Guide

 RELATED TASKS
“Preventing index errors when changing ODO object value”
“Preventing overlay when adding elements to a variable table”

Preventing index errors when changing ODO object value

Be careful if you reference a complex-ODO index-name, that is, an index-name for
a table with variable-length elements, after having changed the value of the ODO
object for a subordinate data item in the table. When you change the value of an
ODO object, the byte offset in an associated complex-ODO index is no longer valid
because the table length has changed. Unless you take precautions, you will obtain
unexpected results if you then code a reference to the index name such as:
v A reference to an element of the table
v A SET statement of the form SET integer-data-item TO index-name (format 1)
v A SET statement of the form SET index-name UP|DOWN BY integer (format 2)

To avoid this type of error, take these steps:

1. Save the index item in an integer data item. (Doing so causes an implicit
conversion: the integer item receives the table element occurrence number
corresponding to the offset in the index.)
2. Change the value of the ODO object.
3. Immediately restore the index item from the integer data item. (Doing so causes
an implicit conversion: the index item receives the offset corresponding to the
table element occurrence number in the integer item. The offset is computed
according to the table length then in effect.)

The following code shows how to save and restore the index-name (seen in
“Example: complex ODO” on page 587) when the ODO object COUNTER-2 changes.
77 INTEGER-DATA-ITEM-1 PIC 99.
. . .
SET INDX TO 5.
* INDX is valid at this point.
SET INTEGER-DATA-ITEM-1 TO INDX.
* INTEGER-DATA-ITEM-1 now has the
* occurrence number corresponding to INDX.
MOVE NEW-VALUE TO COUNTER-2.
* INDX is not valid at this point.
SET INDX TO INTEGER-DATA-ITEM-1.
* INDX is now valid, containing the offset
* corresponding to INTEGER-DATA-ITEM-1, and
* can be used with the expected results.

RELATED REFERENCES
SET statement (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)

Preventing overlay when adding elements to a variable table

Be careful if you increase the number of elements in a variable-occurrence table
that is followed by one or more nonsubordinate data items in the same group.
When you increment the value of the ODO object and add an element to a table,
you can inadvertently overlay the variably located data items that follow the table.

To avoid this type of error, do the following:

1. Save the variably located data items that follow the table in another data area.
2. Increment the value of the ODO object.
3. Move data into the new table element (if needed).

Appendix B. Complex OCCURS DEPENDING ON 589

 4. Restore the variably located data items from the data area where you saved
them.

In the following example, suppose you want to add an element to the table
VARY-FIELD-1, whose number of elements depends on the ODO object CONTROL-1.
VARY-FIELD-1 is followed by the nonsubordinate variably located data item
GROUP-ITEM-1, whose elements could potentially be overlaid.
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
01 VARIABLE-REC.
05 FIELD-1 PIC X(10).
05 CONTROL-1 PIC S99.
05 CONTROL-2 PIC S99.
05 VARY-FIELD-1 OCCURS 1 TO 10 TIMES
DEPENDING ON CONTROL-1 PIC X(5).
05 GROUP-ITEM-1.
10 VARY-FIELD-2
OCCURS 1 TO 10 TIMES
DEPENDING ON CONTROL-2 PIC X(9).
01 STORE-VARY-FIELD-2.
05 GROUP-ITEM-2.
10 VARY-FLD-2
OCCURS 1 TO 10 TIMES
DEPENDING ON CONTROL-2 PIC X(9).

Each element of VARY-FIELD-1 has 5 bytes, and each element of VARY-FIELD-2 has 9
bytes. If CONTROL-1 and CONTROL-2 both contain the value 3, you can picture storage
for VARY-FIELD-1 and VARY-FIELD-2 as follows:

To add a fourth element to VARY-FIELD-1, code as follows to prevent overlaying the

first 5 bytes of VARY-FIELD-2. (GROUP-ITEM-2 serves as temporary storage for the
variably located GROUP-ITEM-1.)
MOVE GROUP-ITEM-1 TO GROUP-ITEM-2.
ADD 1 TO CONTROL-1.
MOVE five-byte-field TO
VARY-FIELD-1 (CONTROL-1).
MOVE GROUP-ITEM-2 TO GROUP-ITEM-1.

You can picture the updated storage for VARY-FIELD-1 and VARY-FIELD-2 as follows:

590 Programming Guide

Note that the fourth element of VARY-FIELD-1 did not overlay the first element of
VARY-FIELD-2.

Appendix B. Complex OCCURS DEPENDING ON 591

592 Programming Guide
Appendix C. Converting double-byte character set (DBCS)
data
The Language Environment service routines IGZCA2D and IGZCD2A were
intended for use in converting alphanumeric data items that contain DBCS data to
and from pure DBCS data items in order to reliably perform operations such as
STRING, UNSTRING, and reference modification. The service routines continue to be
provided for compatibility; however, using national data items and the national
conversion operations is now recommended instead for this purpose.

Note that the service routines do not support a code page argument and are not
sensitive to the code page specified by the CODEPAGE compiler option.

The DBCS compiler option does not affect the operation of the service routines.

RELATED TASKS
“Converting national data” on page 107
“Processing alphanumeric data items that contain DBCS data” on page 111

RELATED REFERENCES
“DBCS notation”
“Alphanumeric to DBCS data conversion (IGZCA2D)”
“DBCS to alphanumeric data conversion (IGZCD2A)” on page 595
“CODEPAGE” on page 294

DBCS notation
These symbols are used in the DBCS data conversion examples to describe DBCS
items:

Symbols Meaning
< and > Shift-out (SO) and shift-in (SI), respectively
D0, D1, D2, . . ., Dn Any DBCS character except for double-byte EBCDIC
characters
.A, .B, .C, . . . Any double-byte EBCDIC character; the period (.)
represents the value X’42’
A single letter, such as A, B, or s Any single-byte EBCDIC character

Alphanumeric to DBCS data conversion (IGZCA2D)

The Language Environment IGZCA2D service routine converts alphanumeric data
that contains double-byte characters to pure DBCS data.

IGZCA2D syntax
To use the IGZCA2D service routine, pass the following four parameters to the
routine by using the CALL statement:
parameter-1
The sending field for the conversion, handled as an alphanumeric data
item.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 593

 parameter-2
The receiving field for the conversion, handled as a DBCS data item.
You cannot use reference modification with parameter-2.
parameter-3
The number of bytes in parameter-1 to be converted.
It can be the LENGTH OF special register of parameter-1, or a 4-byte USAGE IS
BINARY data item containing the number of bytes of parameter-1 to be
converted. Shift codes count as 1 byte each.
parameter-4
The number of bytes in parameter-2 that will receive the converted data.
It can be the LENGTH OF special register of parameter-2, or a 4-byte USAGE IS
BINARY data item containing the number of bytes of parameter-2 to receive
the converted data.

Usage notes
v You can pass parameter-1, parameter-3, and parameter-4 to the routine BY
REFERENCE or BY CONTENT, but you must pass parameter-2 BY REFERENCE.
v The compiler does not perform syntax checking on these parameters. Ensure that
the parameters are correctly set and passed in the CALL statement to the
conversion routine. Otherwise, results are unpredictable.
v When creating parameter-2 from parameter-1, IGZCA2D makes these changes:
– Removes the shift codes, leaving the DBCS data unchanged
– Converts the single-byte (nonspace) EBCDIC character X’nn’ to a character
represented by X’42nn’
– Converts the single-byte space (X’40’) to DBCS space (X’4040’), instead of
X’4240’
v IGZCA2D does not change the contents of parameter-1, parameter-3, or
parameter-4.
v The valid range for the contents of parameter-3 is 1 to 16,777,215, and the valid
range for the contents of parameter-4 is 1 to 15,777,214.

“Example: IGZCA2D” on page 595

RELATED REFERENCES
“IGZCA2D return codes”

IGZCA2D return codes

IGZCA2D sets the RETURN-CODE special register to reflect the status of the conversion,
as shown in the table below.

Return code Explanation

0 parameter-1 was converted and the results were placed in parameter-2.
2 parameter-1 was converted and the results were placed in parameter-2.
parameter-2 was padded on the right with DBCS spaces.
4 parameter-1 was converted and the results were placed in parameter-2. The
DBCS data placed in parameter-2 was truncated on the right.
6 parameter-1 was converted and the results were placed in parameter-2. A
single-byte character in the range X’00’ to X’3F’ or X’FF’ was
encountered. The valid single-byte character has been converted into an
out-of-range DBCS character.

594 Programming Guide

 Return code Explanation
8 parameter-1 was converted and the results were placed in parameter-2. A
single-byte character in the range X’00’ to X’3F’ or X’FF’ was
encountered. The valid single-byte character has been converted into an
out-of-range DBCS character.

parameter-2 was padded on the right with DBCS spaces.

10 parameter-1 was converted and the results were placed in parameter-2. A
single-byte character in the range X’00’ to X’3F’ or X’FF’ was
encountered. The valid single-byte character has been converted into an
out-of-range DBCS character.

The DBCS data in parameter-2 was truncated on the right.

12 An odd number of bytes was found between paired shift codes in
parameter-1. No conversion occurred.
13 Unpaired or nested shift codes were found in parameter-1. No conversion
occurred.
14 parameter-1 and parameter-2 were overlapping. No conversion occurred.
15 The value provided for parameter-3 or parameter-4 was out of range. No
conversion occurred.
16 An odd number of bytes was coded in parameter-4. No conversion
occurred.

Example: IGZCA2D
The following CALL statement converts the alphanumeric data in alpha-item to
DBCS data. The results of the conversion are placed in dbcs-item.
CALL “IGZCA2D” USING BY REFERENCE alpha-item dbcs-item
BY CONTENT LENGTH OF alpha-item LENGTH OF dbcs-item

Suppose the contents of alpha-item and dbcs-item and the lengths before the
conversion are:
alpha-item = AB<D1D2D3>CD
dbcs-item = D4D5D6D7D8D9D0
LENGTH OF alpha-item = 12
LENGTH OF dbcs-item = 14

Then after the conversion, alpha-item and dbcs-item will contain:

alpha-item = AB<D1D2D3>CD
dbcs-item = .A.BD1D2D3.C.D

The content of the RETURN-CODE register is 0.

RELATED REFERENCES
“DBCS notation” on page 593

DBCS to alphanumeric data conversion (IGZCD2A)

The Language Environment IGZCD2A routine converts pure DBCS data to
alphanumeric data that can contain double-byte characters.

IGZCD2A syntax
To use the IGZCD2A service routine, pass the following four parameters to the
routine using the CALL statement:

Appendix C. Converting double-byte character set (DBCS) data 595

 parameter-1
The sending field for the conversion, handled as a DBCS data item.
parameter-2
The receiving field for the conversion, handled as an alphanumeric data
item.
parameter-3
The number of bytes in parameter-1 to be converted.
It can be the LENGTH OF special register of parameter-1, or a 4-byte USAGE IS
BINARY data item containing the number of bytes of parameter-1 to be
converted.
parameter-4
The number of bytes in parameter-2 that will receive the converted data.
It can be the LENGTH OF special register of parameter-2, or a 4-byte USAGE IS
BINARY data item containing the number of bytes of parameter-2 to receive
the converted data. Shift codes count as 1 byte each.

Usage notes
v You can pass parameter-1, parameter-3, and parameter-4 to the routine BY
REFERENCE or BY CONTENT, but you must pass parameter-2 BY REFERENCE.
v The compiler does not perform syntax checking on these parameters. Ensure that
the parameters are correctly set and passed to the conversion routine. Otherwise,
results are unpredictable.
v When creating parameter-2 from parameter-1, IGZCD2A makes these changes:
– Inserts shift codes around DBCS characters that are not double-byte EBCDIC
characters
– Converts double-byte characters to single-byte characters
– Converts the DBCS space (X’4040’) to a single-byte space (X’40’)
v IGZCD2A does not change the contents of parameter-1, parameter-3, or
parameter-4.
v If the converted data contains double-byte characters, shift codes are counted in
the length of parameter-2.
v The valid range for the contents of parameter-3 is 1 to 16,777,214, and the valid
range for the contents of parameter-4 is 1 to 15,777,215, which is the maximum
size of alphanumeric item.

“Example: IGZCD2A” on page 597

RELATED REFERENCES
“IGZCD2A return codes”

IGZCD2A return codes

IGZCD2A sets the RETURN-CODE special register to reflect the status of the conversion,
as shown in the table below.

Return code Explanation

0 parameter-1 was converted and the results were placed in parameter-2.
2 parameter-1 was converted and the results were placed in parameter-2.
parameter-2 was padded on the right with single-byte spaces.
4 parameter-1 was converted and the results were placed in parameter-2.
parameter-2 was truncated on the right.1

596 Programming Guide

 Return code Explanation
14 parameter-1 and parameter-2 were overlapping. No conversion occurred.
15 The value of parameter-3 or parameter-4 was out of range. No conversion
occurred.
16 An odd number of bytes was coded in parameter-3. No conversion
occurred.

1. If a truncation occurs within the DBCS characters, the truncation is on an even-byte

boundary and a shift-in (SI) is inserted. If necessary, the alphanumeric data is padded
with a single-byte space after the shift-in.

Example: IGZCD2A
The following CALL statement converts the DBCS data in dbcs-item to
alphanumeric data with double-byte characters. The results of the conversion are
placed in alpha-item.
CALL “IGZCD2A” USING BY REFERENCE dbcs-item alpha-item
BY CONTENT LENGTH OF dbcs-item LENGTH OF alpha-item

Suppose the contents of dbcs-item and alpha-item and the lengths before the
conversion are:
dbcs-item = .A.BD1D2D3.C.D
alpha-item = ssssssssssss
LENGTH OF dbcs-item = 14
LENGTH OF alpha-item = 12

Then after the conversion, dbcs-item and alpha-item will contain:

dbcs-item = .A.BD1D2D3.C.D
alpha-item = AB<D1D2D3>CD

The content of the RETURN-CODE register is 0.

RELATED REFERENCES
“DBCS notation” on page 593

Appendix C. Converting double-byte character set (DBCS) data 597

598 Programming Guide
Appendix D. XML reference material
This appendix describes the XML exception codes that the XML parser returns in
special register XML-CODE. It also documents which well-formedness constraints
from the XML specification that the parser checks.

RELATED REFERENCES
“XML exceptions that allow continuation”
“XML exceptions that do not allow continuation” on page 603
“XML conformance” on page 606
XML specification (www.w3c.org/XML/)

XML exceptions that allow continuation

The following table provides the exception codes that are associated with XML
event EXCEPTION and that the XML parser returns in special register XML-CODE when
the parser can continue processing the XML data. That is, the code is within one of
the following ranges:
v 1-99
v 100,001-165,535
v 200,001-265,535

The table describes the exception and the actions that the parser takes when you
request it to continue after the exception. In these descriptions, the term “XML
text” means either XML-TEXT or XML-NTEXT, depending on whether the XML
document that you are parsing is in an alphanumeric or national data item,
respectively.

Code Description Parser action on continuation

1 The parser found an invalid character The parser continues detecting errors
while scanning white space outside until it reaches the end of the document
element content. or encounters an error that does not
allow continuation. The parser does not
signal any further normal events,
except for the END-OF-DOCUMENT event.
2 The parser found an invalid start of a The parser continues detecting errors
processing instruction, element, until it reaches the end of the document
comment, or document type or encounters an error that does not
declaration outside element content. allow continuation. The parser does not
signal any further normal events,
except for the END-OF-DOCUMENT event.
3 The parser found a duplicate attribute The parser continues detecting errors
name. until it reaches the end of the document
or encounters an error that does not
allow continuation. The parser does not
signal any further normal events,
except for the END-OF-DOCUMENT event.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 599

 Code Description Parser action on continuation
4 The parser found the markup The parser continues detecting errors
character ’<’ in an attribute value. until it reaches the end of the document
or encounters an error that does not
allow continuation. The parser does not
signal any further normal events,
except for the END-OF-DOCUMENT event.
5 The start and end tag names of an The parser continues detecting errors
element did not match. until it reaches the end of the document
or encounters an error that does not
allow continuation. The parser does not
signal any further normal events,
except for the END-OF-DOCUMENT event.
6 The parser found an invalid character The parser continues detecting errors
in element content. until it reaches the end of the document
or encounters an error that does not
allow continuation. The parser does not
signal any further normal events,
except for the END-OF-DOCUMENT event.
7 The parser found an invalid start of an The parser continues detecting errors
element, comment, processing until it reaches the end of the document
instruction, or CDATA section in or encounters an error that does not
element content. allow continuation. The parser does not
signal any further normal events,
except for the END-OF-DOCUMENT event.
8 The parser found in element content The parser continues detecting errors
the CDATA closing character sequence until it reaches the end of the document
’]]>’ without the matching opening or encounters an error that does not
character sequence ’<![CDATA[’. allow continuation. The parser does not
signal any further normal events,
except for the END-OF-DOCUMENT event.
9 The parser found an invalid character The parser continues detecting errors
in a comment. until it reaches the end of the document
or encounters an error that does not
allow continuation. The parser does not
signal any further normal events,
except for the END-OF-DOCUMENT event.
10 The parser found in a comment the The parser continues detecting errors
character sequence ’—’ (two hyphens) until it reaches the end of the document
not followed by ’>’. or encounters an error that does not
allow continuation. The parser does not
signal any further normal events,
except for the END-OF-DOCUMENT event.
11 The parser found an invalid character The parser continues detecting errors
in a processing instruction data until it reaches the end of the document
segment. or encounters an error that does not
allow continuation. The parser does not
signal any further normal events,
except for the END-OF-DOCUMENT event.
12 A processing instruction target name The parser continues detecting errors
was ’xml’ in lowercase, uppercase or until it reaches the end of the document
mixed case. or encounters an error that does not
allow continuation. The parser does not
signal any further normal events,
except for the END-OF-DOCUMENT event.

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Code Description Parser action on continuation
13 The parser found an invalid digit in a The parser continues detecting errors
hexadecimal character reference (of the until it reaches the end of the document
form &#xdddd;). or encounters an error that does not
allow continuation. The parser does not
signal any further normal events,
except for the END-OF-DOCUMENT event.
14 The parser found an invalid digit in a The parser continues detecting errors
decimal character reference (of the until it reaches the end of the document
form &#dddd;). or encounters an error that does not
allow continuation. The parser does not
signal any further normal events,
except for the END-OF-DOCUMENT event.
15 The encoding declaration value in the The parser continues detecting errors
XML declaration did not begin with until it reaches the end of the document
lowercase or uppercase A through Z. or encounters an error that does not
allow continuation. The parser does not
signal any further normal events,
except for the END-OF-DOCUMENT event.
16 A character reference did not refer to a The parser continues detecting errors
legal XML character. until it reaches the end of the document
or encounters an error that does not
allow continuation. The parser does not
signal any further normal events,
except for the END-OF-DOCUMENT event.
17 The parser found an invalid character The parser continues detecting errors
in an entity reference name. until it reaches the end of the document
or encounters an error that does not
allow continuation. The parser does not
signal any further normal events,
except for the END-OF-DOCUMENT event.
18 The parser found an invalid character The parser continues detecting errors
in an attribute value. until it reaches the end of the document
or encounters an error that does not
allow continuation. The parser does not
signal any further normal events,
except for the END-OF-DOCUMENT event.
50 The document was encoded in The parser uses the encoding specified
EBCDIC, and the CODEPAGE compiler by the CODEPAGE compiler option.
option specified a supported EBCDIC
code page, but the document encoding
declaration did not specify a
recognizable encoding.
51 The document was encoded in The parser uses the encoding specified
EBCDIC, and the document encoding by the document encoding declaration.
declaration specified a supported
EBCDIC encoding, but the parser does
not support the code page specified by
the CODEPAGE compiler option.
52 The document was encoded in The parser uses the encoding specified
EBCDIC, and the CODEPAGE compiler by the CODEPAGE compiler option.
option specified a supported EBCDIC
code page, but the document encoding
declaration specified an ASCII
encoding.

Appendix D. XML reference material 601

 Code Description Parser action on continuation
53 The document was encoded in The parser uses the encoding specified
EBCDIC, and the CODEPAGE compiler by the CODEPAGE compiler option.
option specified a supported EBCDIC
code page, but the document encoding
declaration specified a supported
Unicode encoding.
54 The document was encoded in The parser uses the encoding specified
EBCDIC, and the CODEPAGE compiler by the CODEPAGE compiler option.
option specified a supported EBCDIC
code page, but the document encoding
declaration specified a Unicode
encoding that the parser does not
support.
55 The document was encoded in The parser uses the encoding specified
EBCDIC, and the CODEPAGE compiler by the CODEPAGE compiler option.
option specified a supported EBCDIC
code page, but the document encoding
declaration specified an encoding that
the parser does not support.
56 The document was encoded in ASCII, The parser uses the encoding specified
and the CODEPAGE compiler option by the CODEPAGE compiler option.
specified a supported ASCII code
page, but the document encoding
declaration did not specify a
recognizable encoding.
57 The document was encoded in ASCII, The parser uses the encoding specified
and the document encoding by the document encoding declaration.
declaration specified a supported
ASCII encoding, but the parser does
not support the code page specified by
the CODEPAGE compiler option.
58 The document was encoded in ASCII, The parser uses the encoding specified
and the CODEPAGE compiler option by the CODEPAGE compiler option.
specified a supported ASCII code
page, but the document encoding
declaration specified a supported
EBCDIC encoding.
59 The document was encoded in ASCII, The parser uses the encoding specified
and the CODEPAGE compiler option by the CODEPAGE compiler option.
specified a supported ASCII code
page, but the document encoding
declaration specified a supported
Unicode encoding.
60 The document was encoded in ASCII, The parser uses the encoding specified
and the CODEPAGE compiler option by the CODEPAGE compiler option.
specified a supported ASCII code
page, but the document encoding
declaration specified a Unicode
encoding that the parser does not
support.

602 Programming Guide

 Code Description Parser action on continuation
61 The document was encoded in ASCII, The parser uses the encoding specified
and the CODEPAGE compiler option by the CODEPAGE compiler option.
specified a supported ASCII code
page, but the document encoding
declaration specified an encoding that
the parser does not support.
100,001 - The document was encoded in If you set XML-CODE to zero before
165,535 EBCDIC, and the encodings specified returning from the EXCEPTION event, the
by the CODEPAGE compiler option and parser uses the encoding specified by
the document encoding declaration are the CODEPAGE compiler option. If you set
both supported EBCDIC code pages, XML-CODE to the CCSID for the document
but are not the same. XML-CODE encoding declaration (by subtracting
contains the CCSID for the encoding 100,000), the parser uses this encoding.
declaration plus 100,000.
200,001 - The document was encoded in ASCII, If you set XML-CODE to zero before
265,535 and the encodings specified by the returning from the EXCEPTION event, the
CODEPAGE compiler option and the parser uses the encoding specified by
document encoding declaration are the CODEPAGE compiler option. If you set
both supported ASCII code pages, but XML-CODE to the CCSID for the document
are not the same. XML-CODE contains encoding declaration (by subtracting
the CCSID for the encoding 200,000), the parser uses this encoding.
declaration plus 200,000.

RELATED TASKS
“Handling errors in XML documents” on page 215

XML exceptions that do not allow continuation

With these XML exceptions, no further events are returned from the parser, even if
you set XML-CODE to zero and return control to the parser after processing the
exception. Control is passed to the statement that you specify on your NOT ON
EXCEPTION phrase or to the end of the parse statement if you have not coded a NOT
ON EXCEPTION phrase.

Code Description
100 The parser reached the end of the document while scanning the start of the
XML declaration.
101 The parser reached the end of the document while looking for the end of the
XML declaration.
102 The parser reached the end of the document while looking for the root
element.
103 The parser reached the end of the document while looking for the version
information in the XML declaration.
104 The parser reached the end of the document while looking for the version
information value in the XML declaration.
106 The parser reached the end of the document while looking for the encoding
declaration value in the XML declaration.
108 The parser reached the end of the document while looking for the
standalone declaration value in the XML declaration.
109 The parser reached the end of the document while scanning an attribute
name.

Appendix D. XML reference material 603

 Code Description
110 The parser reached the end of the document while scanning an attribute
value.
111 The parser reached the end of the document while scanning a character
reference or entity reference in an attribute value.
112 The parser reached the end of the document while scanning an empty
element tag.
113 The parser reached the end of the document while scanning the root element
name.
114 The parser reached the end of the document while scanning an element
name.
115 The parser reached the end of the document while scanning character data in
element content.
116 The parser reached the end of the document while scanning a processing
instruction in element content.
117 The parser reached the end of the document while scanning a comment or
CDATA section in element content.
118 The parser reached the end of the document while scanning a comment in
element content.
119 The parser reached the end of the document while scanning a CDATA
section in element content.
120 The parser reached the end of the document while scanning a character
reference or entity reference in element content.
121 The parser reached the end of the document while scanning after the close of
the root element.
122 The parser found a possible invalid start of a document type declaration.
123 The parser found a second document type declaration.
124 The first character of the root element name was not a letter, ’_’, or ’:’.
125 The first character of the first attribute name of an element was not a letter,
’_’, or ’:’.
126 The parser found an invalid character either in or following an element
name.
127 The parser found a character other than ’=’ following an attribute name.
128 The parser found an invalid attribute value delimiter.
130 The first character of an attribute name was not a letter, ’_’, or ’:’.
131 The parser found an invalid character either in or following an attribute
name.
132 An empty element tag was not terminated by a ’>’ following the ’/’.
133 The first character of an element end tag name was not a letter, ’_’, or ’:’.
134 An element end tag name was not terminated by a ’>’.
135 The first character of an element name was not a letter, ’_’, or ’:’.
136 The parser found an invalid start of a comment or CDATA section in element
content.
137 The parser found an invalid start of a comment.
138 The first character of a processing instruction target name was not a letter,
’_’, or ’:’.

604 Programming Guide

Code Description
139 The parser found an invalid character in or following a processing
instruction target name.
140 A processing instruction was not terminated by the closing character
sequence ’?>’.
141 The parser found an invalid character following ’&’ in a character reference
or entity reference.
142 The version information was not present in the XML declaration.
143 ’version’ in the XML declaration was not followed by ’=’.
144 The version declaration value in the XML declaration is either missing or
improperly delimited.
145 The version information value in the XML declaration specified a bad
character, or the start and end delimiters did not match.
146 The parser found an invalid character following the version information
value closing delimiter in the XML declaration.
147 The parser found an invalid attribute instead of the optional encoding
declaration in the XML declaration.
148 ’encoding’ in the XML declaration was not followed by ’=’.
149 The encoding declaration value in the XML declaration is either missing or
improperly delimited.
150 The encoding declaration value in the XML declaration specified a bad
character, or the start and end delimiters did not match.
151 The parser found an invalid character following the encoding declaration
value closing delimiter in the XML declaration.
152 The parser found an invalid attribute instead of the optional standalone
declaration in the XML declaration.
153 ’standalone’ in the XML declaration was not followed by a ’=’.
154 The standalone declaration value in the XML declaration is either missing or
improperly delimited.
155 The standalone declaration value was neither ’yes’ nor ’no’ only.
156 The standalone declaration value in the XML declaration specified a bad
character, or the start and end delimiters did not match.
157 The parser found an invalid character following the standalone declaration
value closing delimiter in the XML declaration.
158 The XML declaration was not terminated by the proper character sequence
’?>’, or contained an invalid attribute.
159 The parser found the start of a document type declaration after the end of
the root element.
160 The parser found the start of an element after the end of the root element.
300 The document was encoded in EBCDIC, but the CODEPAGE compiler option
specified a supported ASCII code page.
301 The document was encoded in EBCDIC, but the CODEPAGE compiler option
specified Unicode.
302 The document was encoded in EBCDIC, but the CODEPAGE compiler option
specified an unsupported code page.
303 The document was encoded in EBCDIC, but the CODEPAGE compiler option is
unsupported and the document encoding declaration was either empty or
contained an unsupported alphabetic encoding alias.

Appendix D. XML reference material 605

 Code Description
304 The document was encoded in EBCDIC, but the CODEPAGE compiler option is
unsupported and the document did not contain an encoding declaration.
305 The document was encoded in EBCDIC, but the CODEPAGE compiler option is
unsupported and the document encoding declaration did not specify a
supported EBCDIC encoding.
306 The document was encoded in ASCII, but the CODEPAGE compiler option
specified a supported EBCDIC code page.
307 The document was encoded in ASCII, but the CODEPAGE compiler option
specified Unicode.
308 The document was encoded in ASCII, but the CODEPAGE compiler option is
unsupported and the document did not contain an encoding declaration.
309 The CODEPAGE compiler option specified a supported ASCII code page, but
the document was encoded in Unicode.
310 The CODEPAGE compiler option specified a supported EBCDIC code page, but
the document was encoded in Unicode.
311 The CODEPAGE compiler option specified an unsupported code page and the
document was encoded in Unicode.
312 The document was encoded in ASCII, but the CODEPAGE compiler option is
unsupported and the document encoding declaration was either empty or
contained an unsupported alphabetic encoding alias.
313 The document was encoded in ASCII, but the CODEPAGE compiler option is
unsupported and the document did not contain an encoding declaration.
314 The document was encoded in ASCII, but the CODEPAGE compiler option is
unsupported and the document encoding declaration did not specify a
supported ASCII encoding.
315 The document was encoded in UTF-16 Little Endian, which the parser does
not support on this platform.
316 The document was encoded in UCS4, which the parser does not support.
317 The parser cannot determine the document encoding. The document may be
damaged.
318 The document was encoded in UTF-8, which the parser does not support.
319 The document was encoded in UTF-16 Big Endian, which the parser does
not support on this platform.
500-999 Internal error. Please report the error to your service representative.

RELATED TASKS
“Handling errors in XML documents” on page 215

XML conformance
The XML parser included in Enterprise COBOL is not a conforming XML processor
according to the definition in the XML specification. It does not validate the XML
documents that you parse. While it does check for many well-formedness errors, it
does not perform all of the actions required of a nonvalidating XML processor.

In particular, it does not process the internal document type definition (DTD
internal subset). Thus it does not supply default attribute values, does not
normalize attribute values, and does not include the replacement text of internal
entities except for the predefined entities. Instead, it passes the entire document

606 Programming Guide

type declaration as the contents of XML-TEXT or XML-NTEXT for the
DOCUMENT-TYPE-DESCRIPTOR XML event, which allows the application to perform
these actions if required.

The parser optionally allows programs to continue processing an XML document

after some errors. The purpose of this is to facilitate debugging of XML documents
and processing programs.

Recapitulating the definition in the XML specification, a textual object is a

well-formed XML document if:
v Taken as a whole, it conforms to the grammar for XML documents.
v It meets all the explicit well-formedness constraints given in the XML
specification.
v Each parsed entity (piece of text) that is referenced directly or indirectly within
the document is well formed.

The COBOL XML parser does check that documents conform to the XML grammar,
except for any document type declaration. The declaration is supplied in its
entirety, unchecked, to your application.

The following material is an annotation from the XML specification. The W3C is not
responsible for any content not found at the original URL (www.w3.org/TR/REC-xml). All
the annotations are non-normative and are shown in italic.

Copyright (C) 1994-2001 W3C (R) (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Institut National
de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique, Keio University), All Rights Reserved.
W3C liability, trademark, document use, and software licensing rules apply.
(www.w3.org/Consortium/Legal/ipr-notice-20000612)

The XML specification also contains twelve explicit well-formedness constraints.

The constraints that the COBOL XML parser checks partly or completely are
shown in bold type:
1. Parameter Entities (PEs) in Internal Subset:
“In the internal DTD subset, parameter-entity references can occur only where
markup declarations can occur, not within markup declarations. (This does
not apply to references that occur in external parameter entities or to the
external subset.)”
The parser does not process the internal DTD subset, so it does not enforce this
constraint.
2. External Subset:
“The external subset, if any, must match the production for extSubset.”
The parser does not process the external subset, so it does not enforce this constraint.
3. Parameter Entity Between Declarations:
“The replacement text of a parameter entity reference in a DeclSep must
match the production extSubsetDecl.”
The parser does not process the internal DTD subset, so it does not enforce this
constraint.
4. Element Type Match:
“The Name in an element’s end-tag must match the element type in the
start-tag.”
The parser enforces this constraint.

Appendix D. XML reference material 607

 5. Unique Attribute Specification:
“No attribute name may appear more than once in the same start-tag or
empty-element tag.”
The parser partly supports this constraint by checking up to 10 attribute names in a
given element for uniqueness. The application can check any attribute names beyond
this limit.
6. No External Entity References:
“Attribute values cannot contain direct or indirect entity references to external
entities.”
The parser does not enforce this constraint.
7. No ’<’ in Attribute Values:
“The replacement text of any entity referred to directly or indirectly in an
attribute value must not contain a ’<’.”
The parser does not enforce this constraint.
8. Legal Character:
“Characters referred to using character references must match the production
for Char.”
The parser enforces this constraint.
9. Entity Declared:
“In a document without any DTD, a document with only an internal DTD
subset which contains no parameter entity references, or a document with
standalone=’yes’, for an entity reference that does not occur within the
external subset or a parameter entity, the Name given in the entity reference
must match that in an entity declaration that does not occur within the
external subset or a parameter entity, except that well-formed documents need
not declare any of the following entities: amp, lt, gt, apos, quot. The
declaration of a general entity must precede any reference to it which appears
in a default value in an attribute-list declaration.
Note that if entities are declared in the external subset or in external
parameter entities, a non-validating processor is not obligated to read and
process their declarations; for such documents, the rule that an entity must be
declared is a well-formedness constraint only if standalone=’yes’.”
The parser does not enforce this constraint.
10. Parsed Entity:
“An entity reference must not contain the name of an unparsed entity.
Unparsed entities may be referred to only in attribute values declared to be of
type ENTITY or ENTITIES.”
The parser does not enforce this constraint.
11. No Recursion:
“A parsed entity must not contain a recursive reference to itself, either directly
or indirectly.”
The parser does not enforce this constraint.
12. In DTD:
“Parameter-entity references may only appear in the DTD.”
The parser does not enforce this constraint, because the error cannot occur.

608 Programming Guide

The preceding material is an annotation from the XML specification. The W3C is not
responsible for any content not found at the original URL (www.w3.org/TR/REC-xml); all
these annotations are non-normative. This document has been reviewed by W3C Members
and other interested parties and has been endorsed by the Director as a W3C
Recommendation. It is a stable document and may be used as reference material or cited as
a normative reference from another document. The normative version of the specification is
the English version found at the W3C site; any translated document may contain errors
from the translation.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“XML parser in COBOL” on page 199

RELATED REFERENCES
XML specification (www.w3c.org/XML/)
2.8 Prolog and document type declaration (XML specification at
www.w3.org/TR/REC-xml#sec-prolog-dtd)

Appendix D. XML reference material 609

610 Programming Guide
Appendix E. EXIT compiler option
Use the EXIT option to allow the compiler to accept user-supplied modules in place
of SYSIN, SYSLIB (or copy library), and SYSPRINT.

For SYSADATA, the ADEXIT suboption provides a module that will be called for
each SYSADATA record immediately after the record has been written out to the
file.

Default is: NOEXIT

Abbreviations are: EX(INX|NOINX, LIBX|NOLIBX, PRTX|NOPRTX, ADX|NOADX)

If you specify the EXIT option without providing at least one suboption, NOEXIT
will be in effect. You can specify the suboptions in any order and separate them by
either commas or spaces. If you specify both the positive and negative form of a
suboption (INEXIT|NOINEXT, LIBEXIT|NOLIBEXIT, PRTEXIT|NOPRTEXIT, or
ADEXIT|NOADEXIT), the form specified last takes effect. If you specify the same
suboption more than once, the last one specified takes effect.

You can specify the EXIT option only at invocation in the JCL PARM field (under
TSO/E, in a command argument) or at installation time. Do not specify the EXIT
option in a PROCESS (CBL) statement.
INEXIT([’str1’,]mod1)
The compiler reads source code from a user-supplied load module (where
mod1 is the module name), instead of SYSIN.
LIBEXIT([’str2’,]mod2)
The compiler obtains copybooks from a user-supplied load module (where
mod2 is the module name), instead of library-name or SYSLIB. For use with
either COPY or BASIS statements.
PRTEXIT([’str3’,]mod3)
The compiler passes printer-destined output to the user-supplied load
module (where mod3 is the module name), instead of SYSPRINT.
ADEXIT([’str4’,]mod4)
The compiler passes the SYSADATA output to the user-supplied load
module (where mod4 is the module name).

The module names mod1, mod2, mod3, and mod4 can refer to the same module.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 611

 The suboptions str1, str2, str3, and str4 are character strings that are passed to the
load module. These strings are optional. You can make them up to 64 characters in
length and must enclose them in apostrophes. Any character is allowed, but
included apostrophes must be doubled, and lowercase characters are folded to
uppercase.

If one of str1, str2, str3, or str4 is specified, the string is passed to the appropriate
user-exit module with the following format:

LL string

where LL is a halfword (on a halfword boundary) containing the length of the

string.

“Example: INEXIT user exit” on page 621

RELATED TASKS
“Using the user-exit work area”
“Calling from exit modules” on page 613
“Using the EXIT compiler option with CICS and SQL statements” on page 620

RELATED REFERENCES
“Processing of INEXIT” on page 613
“Processing of LIBEXIT” on page 614
“Processing of PRTEXIT” on page 617
“Processing of ADEXIT” on page 618
“Error handling for exit modules” on page 619

Using the user-exit work area

When you use an exit, the compiler provides a user-exit work area where you can
save the address of GETMAIN storage obtained by the exit module. This work area
allows the module to be reentrant.

The user-exit work area is 4 fullwords residing on a fullword boundary. These

fullwords are initialized to binary zeros before the first exit routine is invoked. The
address of the work area is passed to the exit module in a parameter list. After
initialization, the compiler makes no further reference to the work area.

You need to establish your own conventions for using the work area if more than
one exit is active during the compilation. For example, the INEXIT module uses
the first word in the work area, the LIBEXIT module uses the second word, the
PRTEXIT module uses the third word, and the ADEXIT module uses the fourth
word.

RELATED REFERENCES
“Processing of INEXIT” on page 613
“Processing of LIBEXIT” on page 614
“Processing of PRTEXIT” on page 617
“Processing of ADEXIT” on page 618

612 Programming Guide

Calling from exit modules
Use COBOL standard linkage in your exit modules to call COBOL programs or
library routines. You need to be aware of these conventions in order to trace the
call chain correctly.

When a call is made to a program or to a routine, the registers are set up as

follows:
R1 Points to the parameter list passed to the called program or library routine
R13 Points to the register save area provided by the calling program or routine
R14 Holds the return address of the calling program or routine
R15 Holds the address of the called program or routine

Exit modules must have the RMODE attribute of 24 and the AMODE attribute of ANY.

Processing of INEXIT
The exit module is used to read source code from a user-supplied load module in
place of SYSIN.

The processing of INEXIT is as follows:

Action by compiler Resulting action by exit module

Loads the exit module (mod1) during
initialization
Calls the exit module with an OPEN Prepares its source for processing. Passes the
operation code (op code) status of the OPEN request back to the
compiler.
Calls the exit module with a GET op code Returns either the address and length of the
when a source statement is needed next statement or the end-of-data indication
(if no more source statements exist)
Calls the exit module with a CLOSE op code Releases any resources that are related to its
when the end-of-data is presented output

Parameter list for INEXIT

The compiler uses a parameter list to communicate with the exit module. The
parameter list consists of 10 fullwords containing addresses, and register 1 contains
the address of the parameter list. The return code, data length, and data
parameters are placed by the exit module for return to the compiler, and the other
items are passed from the compiler to the exit module. The following table
describes the contents of the parameter list.

Offset Contains address of Description of item

00 User-exit type Halfword identifying which user exit is to
perform the operation.
1=INEXIT
04 Operation code Halfword indicating the type of operation.
0=OPEN; 1=CLOSE; 2=GET

Appendix E. EXIT compiler option 613

 Offset Contains address of Description of item
08 Return code Fullword, placed by the exit module, indicating
the success of the requested operation.
0=Operation was successful
4=End-of-data
12=Operation failed
12 User-exit work area Four-fullword work area provided by the
compiler, for use by the user-exit module
16 Data length Fullword, placed by the exit module, specifying
the length of the record being returned by the
GET operation (must be 80)
20 Data Fullword, placed by the exit module, containing
the address of the record in a user-owned buffer,
or for the GET operation.

str1 str1 applies only to OPEN. The first halfword (on

a halfword boundary) contains the length of the
string, followed by the string.
24 Not used (Used only by LIBEXIT)
28 Not used (Used only by LIBEXIT)
32 Not used (Used only by LIBEXIT)
36 Not used (Used only by LIBEXIT)

“Example: INEXIT user exit” on page 621

RELATED TASKS
“Using the EXIT compiler option with CICS and SQL statements” on page 620

RELATED REFERENCES
“Processing of LIBEXIT”

Processing of LIBEXIT
The exit module is used in place of the SYSLIB, or library-name, data set. Calls are
made to the module by the compiler to obtain copybooks whenever COPY or BASIS
statements are encountered.

If LIBEXIT is specified, the LIB compiler option must be in effect.

The processing of LIBEXIT is as follows:

Action by compiler Resulting action by exit module

Loads the exit module (mod2) during
initialization
Calls the exit module with an OPEN Prepares the specified library-name for
operation code (op code) processing.
Passes the status of the OPEN request to the
compiler.

614 Programming Guide

 Action by compiler Resulting action by exit module
Calls the exit module with a FIND op code Establishes positioning at the requested
if the library-name has successfully opened text-name (or basis-name) in the specified
library-name; this place becomes the active
copybook. Passes an appropriate return code
to the compiler when positioning is
complete.
Calls the exit module with a GET op code Passes the compiler either the length and
address of the record to be copied from the
active copybook or the end-of-data indicator
Calls the exit module with a CLOSE op code Releases any resources that are related to its
when the end-of-data is presented input

Processing of LIBEXIT with nested COPY statements

Any record from the active copybook can contain a COPY statement. (However,
nested COPY statements cannot contain the REPLACING phrase, and a COPY statement
with the REPLACING phrase cannot contain nested COPY statements.)

The compiler does not allow recursive calls to text-name. That is, a copybook can
be named only once in a set of nested COPY statements until the end-of-data for
that copybook is reached.

The following table shows how the processing of LIBEXIT changes when there are
one or more valid COPY statements:

Action by compiler Resulting action by exit module

Loads the exit module (mod2) during initialization
Calls the exit module with an OPEN operation Prepares the specified library-name for
code (op code) processing.
Passes the status of the OPEN request
to the compiler.
Calls the exit module with a FIND op code if the Establishes positioning at the
library-name has successfully opened requested text-name (or basis-name) in
the specified library-name; this place
becomes the active copybook.
Passes an appropriate return code to
the compiler when positioning is
complete.
When the compiler If the requested Pushes its control information about
encounters a valid library-name from the the active copybook onto a stack.
nested COPY statement nested COPY statement was Completes the requested action
not previously opened, (OPEN or FIND). The newly requested
calls the exit module with text-name (or basis-name) becomes the
an OPEN op code active copybook.
Calls the exit module with
a FIND op code for the
requested new text-name
Calls the exit module with Passes the compiler either the length
a GET op code and address of the record to be copied
from the active copybook or the
end-of-data indicator. At end-of-data,
pops its control information from the
stack.

Appendix E. EXIT compiler option 615

 Action by compiler Resulting action by exit module
Calls the exit module with a FIND op code if the Reestablishes positioning at the
library-name has successfully opened previous active copybook. Passes an
appropriate return code to the
compiler when positioning is
complete.
Calls the exit module with a GET op code. Passes the compiler the same record as
was passed previously from this
Verifies that the same record was passed. copybook. After verification, passes
either the length and address of the
record to be copied from the active
copybook or the end-of-data indicator.
Calls the exit module with a CLOSE op code when Releases any resources that are related
the end-of-data is presented to its input

Parameter list for LIBEXIT

The compiler uses a parameter list to communicate with the exit module. The
parameter list consists of 10 fullwords containing addresses, and register 1 contains
the address of the parameter list. The return code, data length, and data
parameters are placed by the exit module for return to the compiler; and the other
items are passed from the compiler to the exit module. The following table
describes the contents of the parameter list used for LIBEXIT.

Offset Contains address of Description of item

00 User-exit type Halfword identifying which user exit is to
perform the operation.
2=LIBEXIT
04 Operation code Halfword indicating the type of operation.
0=OPEN; 1=CLOSE; 2=GET; 4=FIND
08 Return code Fullword, placed by the exit module, indicating
the success of the requested operation.
0=Operation was successful
4=End-of-data
12=Operation failed
12 User-exit work area Four-fullword work area provided by the
compiler for use by the user-exit module
16 Data length Fullword, placed by the exit module, specifying
the length of the record being returned by the
GET operation (must be 80)
20 Data Fullword, placed by the exit module, containing
the address of the record in a user-owned buffer,
or for the GET operation.

str2 str2 applies only to OPEN. The first halfword (on

a halfword boundary) contains the length of the
string, followed by the string.
24 System library-name Eight-character area containing the library-name
from the COPY statement. Processing and
conversion rules for a program-name are applied.
Padded with blanks if required. Applies to
OPEN, CLOSE, and FIND.

616 Programming Guide

 Offset Contains address of Description of item
28 System text-name Eight-character area containing the text-name
from the COPY statement (basis-name from BASIS
statement). Processing and conversion rules for a
program name are applied. Padded with blanks if
required. Applies only to FIND.
32 Library-name Thirty-character area containing the full
library-name from the COPY statement. Padded
with blanks if required, and used as-is (not
folded to uppercase). Applies to OPEN, CLOSE,
and FIND.
36 Text-name Thirty-character area containing the full text-name
from the COPY statement. Padded with blanks if
required, and used as-is (not folded to
uppercase). Applies only to FIND.

RELATED TASKS
“Using the EXIT compiler option with CICS and SQL statements” on page 620

Processing of PRTEXIT
The exit module is used in place of the SYSPRINT data set.

The processing of PRTEXIT is as follows:

Action by compiler Resulting action by exit module

Loads the exit module (mod3) during
initialization
Calls the exit module with an OPEN Prepares its output destination for
operation code (op code) processing.
Passes the status of the OPEN request to the
compiler.
Calls the exit modules with a PUT op code Passes the status of the PUT request to the
when a line is to be printed, supplying the compiler by a return code. The first byte of
address and length of the record that is to be the record to be printed contains an ANSI
printed printer control character.
Calls the exit module with a CLOSE op code Releases any resources that are related to its
when the end-of-data is presented output destination

Parameter list for PRTEXIT

The compiler uses a parameter list to communicate with the exit module. The
parameter list consists of 10 fullwords containing addresses, and register 1 contains
the address of the parameter list. The return code, data length, and data buffer
parameters are placed by the exit module for return to the compiler; and the other
items are passed from the compiler to the exit module. The following table
describes the contents of the parameter list used for PRTEXIT.

Offset Contains address of Description of item

00 User-exit type Halfword identifying which user exit is to
perform the operation.
3=PRTEXIT

Appendix E. EXIT compiler option 617

 Offset Contains address of Description of item
04 Operation code Halfword indicating the type of operation.
0=OPEN; 1=CLOSE; 3=PUT
08 Return code Fullword, placed by the exit module, indicating
the success of the requested operation.
0=Operation was successful
12=Operation failed
12 User-exit work area Four-fullword work area provided by the
compiler, for use by the user-exit module
16 Data length Fullword specifying the length of the record
being supplied by the PUT operation (the
compiler sets this value to 133)
20 Data buffer Fullword containing the address of the data
buffer where the compiler has placed the record
or to be printed by the PUT operation.

str3 str3 applies only to OPEN. The first halfword (on

a halfword boundary) contains the length of the
string, followed by the string.
24 Not used (Used only by LIBEXIT)
28 Not used (Used only by LIBEXIT)
32 Not used (Used only by LIBEXIT)
36 Not used (Used only by LIBEXIT)

RELATED TASKS
“Using the EXIT compiler option with CICS and SQL statements” on page 620

RELATED REFERENCES
“Processing of LIBEXIT” on page 614

Processing of ADEXIT
Use of the ADEXIT module requires:
v Compiler option ADATA to produce SYSADATA output
v DD statement SYSADATA

The processing of ADEXIT is as follows:

Action by compiler Resulting action by exit module

Loads the exit module (mod4) during
initialization
Calls the exit module with an OPEN Prepares its output destination for
operation code (op code) processing.
Passes the status of the OPEN request to the
compiler.
Calls the exit modules with a PUT op code Passes the status of the PUT request to the
when the compiler has written a SYSADATA compiler by a return code
record, supplying the address and length of
the SYSADATA record
Calls the exit module with a CLOSE op code Releases any resources
when the end-of-data is presented

618 Programming Guide

 Parameter list for ADEXIT
The compiler uses a parameter list to communicate with the exit module. The
parameter list consists of 10 fullwords containing addresses, and register 1 contains
the address of the parameter list. The return code, data length, and data buffer
parameters are placed by the exit module for return to the compiler; and the other
items are passed from the compiler to the exit module. The following table
describes the contents of the parameter list used for ADEXIT.

Offset Contains address of Description of item

00 User-exit type Halfword identifying which user exit is to
perform the operation.
4=ADEXIT
04 Operation code Halfword indicating the type of operation.
0=OPEN; 1=CLOSE; 3=PUT
08 Return code Fullword, placed by the exit module, indicating
the success of the requested operation.
0=Operation was successful
12=Operation failed
12 User-exit work area Four-fullword work area provided by the
compiler, for use by the user-exit module
16 Data length Fullword specifying the length of the record
being supplied by the PUT operation
20 Data buffer Fullword containing the address of the data
buffer where the compiler has placed the record
or to be printed by the PUT operation.

str4 str4 applies only to OPEN. The first halfword (on

a halfword boundary) contains the length of the
string, followed by the string.
24 Not used (Used only by LIBEXIT)
28 Not used (Used only by LIBEXIT)
32 Not used (Used only by LIBEXIT)
36 Not used (Used only by LIBEXIT)

RELATED TASKS
“Using the EXIT compiler option with CICS and SQL statements” on page 620

RELATED REFERENCES
“Processing of LIBEXIT” on page 614

Error handling for exit modules

The compiler reports an error message whenever an exit module cannot be loaded
or an exit module returns an “operation failed” or nonzero return code.

Message IGYSI5008 is written to the operator and the compiler terminates with
return code 16 when any of the following happens:
v An exit module cannot be loaded.
v A nonzero return code is received from INEXIT during an OPEN request.
v A nonzero return code is received from PRTEXIT during an OPEN request.

The exit type and operation (OPEN or LOAD) are identified in the message.

Appendix E. EXIT compiler option 619

 Any other error from INEXIT or PRTEXIT causes the compiler to terminate.

The compiler detects and reports the following conditions:

5203 PUT request to SYSPRINT user exit failed with return code nn.
5204 Record address not set by exit-name user exit.
5205 GET request from SYSIN user exit failed with return code nn.
5206 Record length not set by exit-name user exit.

Using the EXIT compiler option with CICS and SQL statements
When you compile using suboptions of the EXIT compiler option and your
program contains CICS or SQL statements, the actions that you can take in the exit
modules depend on whether you translated the statements using the separate CICS
translator and DB2 precompiler, or translate them using the integrated CICS
translator and DB2 coprocessor. When you use the integrated translators, you can
process EXEC CICS and EXEC SQL statements in the exit modules.

INEXIT
When you translate the EXEC CICS and EXEC SQL statements in a program using the
separate CICS translator and DB2 precompiler, and then compile the program
using the INEXIT suboption, you can process the COBOL statements generated for
the EXEC statements in the INEXIT module. You can change the generated
statements in the INEXIT module, although doing so is not supported by IBM.

When you compile a program using the INEXIT suboption and translate the EXEC
CICS and EXEC SQL statements using the integrated CICS translator and DB2
coprocessor (enabled using the CICS and SQL compiler options, respectively), you
can process the EXEC CICS and EXEC SQL statements in the INEXIT module. The
INEXIT module does not get control for the COBOL statements generated for the
EXEC statements by the integrated translator and coprocessor.

LIBEXIT
When you compile a program using the LIBEXIT suboption and use the integrated
DB2 coprocessor, EXEC SQL INCLUDE statements in the program are processed like
COBOL COPY statements. You can process the statements brought in by the EXEC
SQL INCLUDE statements in the LIBEXIT module. (If you use the separate DB2
precompiler, you can process the input statements brought in by the EXEC SQL
INCLUDE statements only by using the INEXIT suboption.)

When you translate the EXEC CICS statements in a program and its copybooks
using the separate CICS translator and then compile the program using the
LIBEXIT suboption, you can process the COBOL statements generated for the EXEC
CICS statements in the LIBEXIT module.

When you compile a program using the LIBEXIT suboption and translate the EXEC
CICS statements using the integrated CICS translator, you can process the EXEC
CICS source statements in the LIBEXIT module.

PRTEXIT
When you translate the EXEC CICS and EXEC SQL statements in a program using the
separate CICS translator and DB2 precompiler, and compile the program using the

620 Programming Guide

 PRTEXIT suboption, you can process the COBOL SOURCE listing statements
generated for the EXEC statements in the PRTEXIT module.

When you compile a program using the PRTEXIT suboption and translate the EXEC
CICS and EXEC SQL statements using the integrated CICS translator and DB2
coprocessor, you can process the EXEC CICS and EXEC SQL source statements from
the SOURCE listing in the PRTEXIT module. The PRTEXIT module does not have
access to the COBOL source statements generated by the integrated translator and
coprocessor.

ADEXIT
When you translate the EXEC CICS and EXEC SQL statements in a program using the
separate CICS translator and DB2 precompiler, and compile the program using the
ADEXIT suboption, you can process the COBOL SYSADATA source statements
generated for the EXEC statements in the ADEXIT module.

When you compile a program using the ADEXIT suboption and translate the EXEC
CICS and EXEC SQL statements using the integrated CICS translator and DB2
coprocessor, you can process the EXEC CICS and EXEC SQL source statements in the
ADEXIT module. The ADEXIT module does not have access to the COBOL source
statements generated by the integrated translator and coprocessor.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“DB2 coprocessor” on page 388
“Integrated CICS translator” on page 380

RELATED TASKS
“Compiling with the SQL option” on page 387
“Compiling with the CICS option” on page 378

RELATED REFERENCES
“Processing of INEXIT” on page 613
“Processing of LIBEXIT” on page 614
“Processing of PRTEXIT” on page 617
“Processing of ADEXIT” on page 618

Example: INEXIT user exit

The following example shows an INEXIT user-exit module in COBOL.
***********************************************************
* *
* Name: SKELINX *
* *
* Function: Example of an INEXIT user exit written *
* in the COBOL language. *
* *
***********************************************************

Identification Division.
Program-ID. Skelinx.

Environment Division.

Data Division.

WORKING-STORAGE Section.

* *******************************************************

Appendix E. EXIT compiler option 621

 * * *
* * Local variables. *
* * *
* *******************************************************

01 Record-Variable Pic X(80).

* *******************************************************
* * *
* * Definition of the User-Exit Parameter List, which *
* * is passed from the COBOL compiler to the user exit *
* * module. *
* * *
* *******************************************************

Linkage Section.
01 Exit-Type Pic 9(4) Binary.
01 Exit-Operation Pic 9(4) Binary.
01 Exit-ReturnCode Pic 9(9) Binary.
01 Exit-WorkArea.
05 INEXIT-Slot Pic 9(9) Binary.
05 LIBEXIT-Slot Pic 9(9) Binary.
05 PRTEXIT-Slot Pic 9(9) Binary.
05 Reserved-Slot Pic 9(9) Binary.
01 Exit-DataLength Pic 9(9) Binary.
01 Exit-DataArea Pointer.
01 Exit-Open-Parm Redefines Exit-DataArea.
05 String-Len Pic 9(4) Binary.
05 Open-String Pic X(64).
01 Exit-Print-Line Redefines Exit-DataArea Pic X(133).
01 Exit-LIBEXIT Pic X(8).
01 Exit-Systext Pic X(8).
01 Exit-CBLLibrary Pic X(30).
01 Exit-CBLText Pic X(30).

***********************************************************
* *
* Begin PROCEDURE DIVISION *
* *
* Invoke the section to handle the exit. *
* *
***********************************************************

Procedure Division Using Exit-Type Exit-Operation

Exit-ReturnCode Exit-WorkArea
Exit-DataLength Exit-DataArea
Exit-LIBEXIT Exit-Systext
Exit-CBLLibrary Exit-CBLText.

Evaluate Exit-type
When (1) Perform Handle-INEXIT
When (2) Perform Handle-LIBEXIT
When (3) Perform Handle-PRTEXIT
End-Evaluate
Move 16 To Exit-ReturnCode
Goback.

*************************************************
* I N E X I T E X I T P R O C E S S O R *
*************************************************
Handle-INEXIT.

Evaluate Exit-Operation
When (0) Perform INEXIT-Open
When (1) Perform INEXIT-Close
When (2) Perform INEXIT-Get
End-Evaluate

622 Programming Guide

 Move 16 To Exit-ReturnCode
Goback.

INEXIT-Open.
* ------------------------------------------------------
* Prepare for reading source
* ------------------------------------------------------
Goback.

INEXIT-Close.
* ------------------------------------------------------
* Release resources
* ------------------------------------------------------
Goback.

INEXIT-Get.
* ------------------------------------------------------
* Retrieve next source record
* ------------------------------------------------------

* ------------------------------------------------------
* Return the address of the record to the compiler.
* ------------------------------------------------------
Set Exit-DataArea to Address of Record-Variable

* ------------------------------------------------------
* Set length of record in User-Exit Parameter List
* ------------------------------------------------------
Move 80 To Exit-DataLength

Goback.

***************************************************
* L I B E X I T P R O C E S S O R *
***************************************************
Handle-LIBEXIT.
Display “**** This module for INEXIT only”
Move 16 To Exit-ReturnCode
Goback.

*******************************************************
* P R I N T E X I T P R O C E S S O R *
*******************************************************
Handle-PRTEXIT.
Display “**** This module for INEXIT only”
Move 16 To Exit-ReturnCode
Goback.
*******************************************************

End Program Skelinx.

Appendix E. EXIT compiler option 623

624 Programming Guide
 Appendix F. JNI.cpy
This listing shows the copybook JNI.cpy, which you use with OO syntax for Java
interoperability. You can use JNI.cpy to access the Java Native Interface (JNI)
services from your COBOL programs. This copybook contains:
v Sample COBOL data definitions that correspond to the Java JNI types
v The JNI environment structure JNINativeInterface, which contains function
pointers for accessing the JNI callable service functions

| JNI.cpy is in the HFS in the include subdirectory of the cobol directory (typically
| /usr/lpp/cobol/include) and is analogous to the header file jni.h that C
programmers use to access the JNI.
*****************************************************************
* COBOL declarations for Java native method interoperation *
* *
* To use the Java Native Interface callable services from a *
* COBOL program: *
* 1) Use a COPY statement to include this file into the *
* the Linkage Section of the program, e.g. *
* Linkage Section. *
* Copy JNI *
* 2) Code the following statements at the beginning of the *
* Procedure Division: *
* Set address of JNIEnv to JNIEnvPtr *
* Set address of JNINativeInterface to JNIEnv *
*****************************************************************
*
* Sample JNI type definitions in COBOL
*
*01 jboolean1 pic X.
* 88 jboolean1-true value X’01’ through X’FF’.
* 88 jboolean1-false value X’00’.
*
*01 jbyte1 pic X.
*
*01 jchar1 pic N usage national.
*
*01 jshort1 pic s9(4) comp-5.
*01 jint1 pic s9(9) comp-5.
*01 jlong1 pic s9(18) comp-5.
*
*01 jfloat1 comp-1.
*01 jdouble1 comp-2.
*
*01 jobject1 object reference.
*01 jclass1 object reference.
*01 jstring1 object reference jstring.
*01 jarray1 object reference jarray.
*
*01 jbooleanArray1 object reference jbooleanArray.
*01 jbyteArray1 object reference jbyteArray.
*01 jcharArray1 object reference jcharArray.
*01 jshortArray1 object reference jshortArray.
*01 jintArray1 object reference jintArray.
*01 jlongArray1 object reference jlongArray.
*01 floatArray1 object reference floatArray.
*01 jdoubleArray1 object reference jdoubleArray.
*01 jobjectArray1 object reference jobjectArray.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 625

 * Possible return values for JNI functions.
01 JNI-RC pic S9(9) comp-5.
* success
88 JNI-OK value 0.
* unknown error
88 JNI-ERR value -1.
* thread detached from the VM
88 JNI-EDETACHED value -2.
* JNI version error
88 JNI-EVERSION value -3.
* not enough memory
88 JNI-ENOMEM value -4.
* VM already created
88 JNI-EEXIST value -5.
* invalid arguments
88 JNI-EINVAL value -6.

* Used in ReleaseScalarArrayElements
01 releaseMode pic s9(9) comp-5.
88 JNI-COMMIT value 1.
88 JNI-ABORT value 2.

01 JNIenv pointer.

* JNI Native Method Interface - environment structure.

01 JNINativeInterface.
02 pointer.
02 pointer.
02 pointer.
02 pointer.
02 GetVersion function-pointer.
02 DefineClass function-pointer.
02 FindClass function-pointer.
02 FromReflectedMethod function-pointer.
02 FromReflectedField function-pointer.
02 ToReflectedMethod function-pointer.
02 GetSuperclass function-pointer.
02 IsAssignableFrom function-pointer.
02 ToReflectedField function-pointer.
02 Throw function-pointer.
02 ThrowNew function-pointer.
02 ExceptionOccurred function-pointer.
02 ExceptionDescribe function-pointer.
02 ExceptionClear function-pointer.
02 FatalError function-pointer.
02 PushLocalFrame function-pointer.
02 PopLocalFrame function-pointer.
02 NewGlobalRef function-pointer.
02 DeleteGlobalRef function-pointer.
02 DeleteLocalRef function-pointer.
02 IsSameObject function-pointer.
02 NewLocalRef function-pointer.
02 EnsureLocalCapacity function-pointer.
02 AllocObject function-pointer.
02 NewObject function-pointer.
02 NewObjectV function-pointer.
02 NewObjectA function-pointer.
02 GetObjectClass function-pointer.
02 IsInstanceOf function-pointer.
02 GetMethodID function-pointer.
02 CallObjectMethod function-pointer.
02 CallObjectMethodV function-pointer.
02 CallObjectMethodA function-pointer.
02 CallBooleanMethod function-pointer.
02 CallBooleanMethodV function-pointer.
02 CallBooleanMethodA function-pointer.
02 CallByteMethod function-pointer.

626 Programming Guide

02 CallByteMethodV function-pointer.
02 CallByteMethodA function-pointer.
02 CallCharMethod function-pointer.
02 CallCharMethodV function-pointer.
02 CallCharMethodA function-pointer.
02 CallShortMethod function-pointer.
02 CallShortMethodV function-pointer.
02 CallShortMethodA function-pointer.
02 CallIntMethod function-pointer.
02 CallIntMethodV function-pointer.
02 CallIntMethodA function-pointer.
02 CallLongMethod function-pointer.
02 CallLongMethodV function-pointer.
02 CallLongMethodA function-pointer.
02 CallFloatMethod function-pointer.
02 CallFloatMethodV function-pointer.
02 CallFloatMethodA function-pointer.
02 CallDoubleMethod function-pointer.
02 CallDoubleMethodV function-pointer.
02 CallDoubleMethodA function-pointer.
02 CallVoidMethod function-pointer.
02 CallVoidMethodV function-pointer.
02 CallVoidMethodA function-pointer.
02 CallNonvirtualObjectMethod function-pointer.
02 CallNonvirtualObjectMethodV function-pointer.
02 CallNonvirtualObjectMethodA function-pointer.
02 CallNonvirtualBooleanMethod function-pointer.
02 CallNonvirtualBooleanMethodV function-pointer.
02 CallNonvirtualBooleanMethodA function-pointer.
02 CallNonvirtualByteMethod function-pointer.
02 CallNonvirtualByteMethodV function-pointer.
02 CallNonvirtualByteMethodA function-pointer.
02 CallNonvirtualCharMethod function-pointer.
02 CallNonvirtualCharMethodV function-pointer.
02 CallNonvirtualCharMethodA function-pointer.
02 CallNonvirtualShortMethod function-pointer.
02 CallNonvirtualShortMethodV function-pointer.
02 CallNonvirtualShortMethodA function-pointer.
02 CallNonvirtualIntMethod function-pointer.
02 CallNonvirtualIntMethodV function-pointer.
02 CallNonvirtualIntMethodA function-pointer.
02 CallNonvirtualLongMethod function-pointer.
02 CallNonvirtualLongMethodV function-pointer.
02 CallNonvirtualLongMethodA function-pointer.
02 CallNonvirtualFloatMethod function-pointer.
02 CallNonvirtualFloatMethodV function-pointer.
02 CallNonvirtualFloatMethodA function-pointer.
02 CallNonvirtualDoubleMethod function-pointer.
02 CallNonvirtualDoubleMethodV function-pointer.
02 CallNonvirtualDoubleMethodA function-pointer.
02 CallNonvirtualVoidMethod function-pointer.
02 CallNonvirtualVoidMethodV function-pointer.
02 CallNonvirtualVoidMethodA function-pointer.
02 GetFieldID function-pointer.
02 GetObjectField function-pointer.
02 GetBooleanField function-pointer.
02 GetByteField function-pointer.
02 GetCharField function-pointer.
02 GetShortField function-pointer.
02 GetIntField function-pointer.
02 GetLongField function-pointer.
02 GetFloatField function-pointer.
02 GetDoubleField function-pointer.
02 SetObjectField function-pointer.
02 SetBooleanField function-pointer.
02 SetByteField function-pointer.
02 SetCharField function-pointer.

Appendix F. JNI.cpy 627

 02 SetShortField function-pointer.
02 SetIntField function-pointer.
02 SetLongField function-pointer.
02 SetFloatField function-pointer.
02 SetDoubleField function-pointer.
02 GetStaticMethodID function-pointer.
02 CallStaticObjectMethod function-pointer.
02 CallStaticObjectMethodV function-pointer.
02 CallStaticObjectMethodA function-pointer.
02 CallStaticBooleanMethod function-pointer.
02 CallStaticBooleanMethodV function-pointer.
02 CallStaticBooleanMethodA function-pointer.
02 CallStaticByteMethod function-pointer.
02 CallStaticByteMethodV function-pointer.
02 CallStaticByteMethodA function-pointer.
02 CallStaticCharMethod function-pointer.
02 CallStaticCharMethodV function-pointer.
02 CallStaticCharMethodA function-pointer.
02 CallStaticShortMethod function-pointer.
02 CallStaticShortMethodV function-pointer.
02 CallStaticShortMethodA function-pointer.
02 CallStaticIntMethod function-pointer.
02 CallStaticIntMethodV function-pointer.
02 CallStaticIntMethodA function-pointer.
02 CallStaticLongMethod function-pointer.
02 CallStaticLongMethodV function-pointer.
02 CallStaticLongMethodA function-pointer.
02 CallStaticFloatMethod function-pointer.
02 CallStaticFloatMethodV function-pointer.
02 CallStaticFloatMethodA function-pointer.
02 CallStaticDoubleMethod function-pointer.
02 CallStaticDoubleMethodV function-pointer.
02 CallStaticDoubleMethodA function-pointer.
02 CallStaticVoidMethod function-pointer.
02 CallStaticVoidMethodV function-pointer.
02 CallStaticVoidMethodA function-pointer.
02 GetStaticFieldID function-pointer.
02 GetStaticObjectField function-pointer.
02 GetStaticBooleanField function-pointer.
02 GetStaticByteField function-pointer.
02 GetStaticCharField function-pointer.
02 GetStaticShortField function-pointer.
02 GetStaticIntField function-pointer.
02 GetStaticLongField function-pointer.
02 GetStaticFloatField function-pointer.
02 GetStaticDoubleField function-pointer.
02 SetStaticObjectField function-pointer.
02 SetStaticBooleanField function-pointer.
02 SetStaticByteField function-pointer.
02 SetStaticCharField function-pointer.
02 SetStaticShortField function-pointer.
02 SetStaticIntField function-pointer.
02 SetStaticLongField function-pointer.
02 SetStaticFloatField function-pointer.
02 SetStaticDoubleField function-pointer.
02 NewString function-pointer.
02 GetStringLength function-pointer.
02 GetStringChars function-pointer.
02 ReleaseStringChars function-pointer.
02 NewStringUTF function-pointer.
02 GetStringUTFLength function-pointer.
02 GetStringUTFChars function-pointer.
02 ReleaseStringUTFChars function-pointer.
02 GetArrayLength function-pointer.
02 NewObjectArray function-pointer.
02 GetObjectArrayElement function-pointer.
02 SetObjectArrayElement function-pointer.

628 Programming Guide

 02 NewBooleanArray function-pointer.
02 NewByteArray function-pointer.
02 NewCharArray function-pointer.
02 NewShortArray function-pointer.
02 NewIntArray function-pointer.
02 NewLongArray function-pointer.
02 NewFloatArray function-pointer.
02 NewDoubleArray function-pointer.
02 GetBooleanArrayElements function-pointer.
02 GetByteArrayElements function-pointer.
02 GetCharArrayElements function-pointer.
02 GetShortArrayElements function-pointer.
02 GetIntArrayElements function-pointer.
02 GetLongArrayElements function-pointer.
02 GetFloatArrayElements function-pointer.
02 GetDoubleArrayElements function-pointer.
02 ReleaseBooleanArrayElements function-pointer.
02 ReleaseByteArrayElements function-pointer.
02 ReleaseCharArrayElements function-pointer.
02 ReleaseShortArrayElements function-pointer.
02 ReleaseIntArrayElements function-pointer.
02 ReleaseLongArrayElements function-pointer.
02 ReleaseFloatArrayElements function-pointer.
02 ReleaseDoubleArrayElements function-pointer.
02 GetBooleanArrayRegion function-pointer.
02 GetByteArrayRegion function-pointer.
02 GetCharArrayRegion function-pointer.
02 GetShortArrayRegion function-pointer.
02 GetIntArrayRegion function-pointer.
02 GetLongArrayRegion function-pointer.
02 GetFloatArrayRegion function-pointer.
02 GetDoubleArrayRegion function-pointer.
02 SetBooleanArrayRegion function-pointer.
02 SetByteArrayRegion function-pointer.
02 SetCharArrayRegion function-pointer.
02 SetShortArrayRegion function-pointer.
02 SetIntArrayRegion function-pointer.
02 SetLongArrayRegion function-pointer.
02 SetFloatArrayRegion function-pointer.
02 SetDoubleArrayRegion function-pointer.
02 RegisterNatives function-pointer.
02 UnregisterNatives function-pointer.
02 MonitorEnter function-pointer.
02 MonitorExit function-pointer.
02 GetJavaVM function-pointer.
02 GetStringRegion function-pointer.
02 GetStringUTFRegion function-pointer.
02 GetPrimitiveArrayCritical function-pointer.
02 ReleasePrimitiveArrayCritical function-pointer.
02 GetStringCritical function-pointer.
02 ReleaseStringCritical function-pointer.
02 NewWeakGlobalRef function-pointer.
02 DeleteWeakGlobalRef function-pointer.
02 ExceptionCheck function-pointer.

RELATED TASKS
“Accessing JNI services” on page 501

Appendix F. JNI.cpy 629

630 Programming Guide
Appendix G. COBOL SYSADATA file contents
When you use the ADATA compiler option, the compiler will produce a file
containing program data. Use this file (instead of the compiler listing) to extract
information about the compiled program. For example, you could extract
information regarding the compiled program for symbolic debugging tools or
cross-reference tools.

“Example: SYSADATA” on page 633

RELATED REFERENCES
“ADATA” on page 290
“Existing compiler options affecting the SYSADATA file”
“Record types” on page 632
“SYSADATA record descriptions” on page 634

Existing compiler options affecting the SYSADATA file

The following compiler options might affect the contents of the SYSADATA file.
COMPILE
Using NOCOMPILE(W|E|S) might stop compilation prematurely, resulting in
the loss of specific messages.
EVENTS Using EVENTS will have the same result as the ADATA option (that is, with
either ADATA or EVENTS or both specified, the SYSADATA file will be
produced). (For compatibility.)
EXIT Using INEXIT will prohibit identification of the compilation source file.
LANGUAGE
LANGUAGE controls the message text (Uppercase English, Mixed-Case
English, or Japanese). Selection of Japanese could result in DBCS characters
written to Error Identification records.
NUM The NUM option will cause the compiler to use the contents of columns 1-6
in the source records for line numbering, rather than generated sequence
numbers. Any invalid (nonnumeric) or out-of-sequence numbers will be
replaced with a number one higher than that of the previous record.
The following SYSADATA fields contain line numbers whose contents
differ depending on the NUM/NONUM setting:
Type Field
==== =======
0020 AE_LINE External Symbol record
0030 ATOK_LINE Token record
0032 AF_STMT Source Error record
0038 AS_STMT Source record
0039 AS_REP_EXP_SLIN COPY REPLACING record
0039 AS_REP_EXP_ELIN COPY REPLACING record
0042 ASY_STMT Symbol record
0044 AX_DEFN Symbol Cross Reference record
0044 AX_STMT Symbol Cross Reference record
0046 AN_STMT Nested Program record

Note that the Type 0038 Source record contains two fields relating to line
numbers and record numbers:

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 631

 v AS_STMT contains the compiler line number, in both the NUM and NONUM
cases.
v AS_CUR_REC# contains the physical source record number.

These two fields can always be used to correlate the compiler line
numbers, used in all the above fields, with physical source record
numbers.
TEST The TEST option will cause additional object text records to be created that
will also affect the contents of the SYSADATA file.

The remaining compiler options have no direct effect on the SYSADATA file, but
might trigger generation of additional error messages associated with the specific
option, such as FLAGSAA, FLAGSTD, or SSRANGE.

“Example: SYSADATA” on page 633

RELATED REFERENCES
“Record types”
“COMPILE” on page 294
“LANGUAGE” on page 305
“NUMBER” on page 309
“TEST” on page 322

Record types
The SYSADATA file contains records classified into different record types. Each
type of record provides information about the COBOL language program being
compiled. Each record consists of two parts:
v A 12-byte header section, which has the same structure for all record types
v A variable-length data section, which varies by record type

The header section contains, among other items, the record code that identifies the
type of record.

The types of record provided in the associated data file are listed in the following
table:

Record type What it does

Job identification record - X’0000’ Provides information about the environment
used to process the source data
ADATA identification record - X’0001’ Provides common information about the
records in the SYSADATA file
Compilation unit start/end record - Marks the beginning and ending of
X’0002’ compilation units in a source file
Options record - X’0010’ Describes the compiler options used for the
compilation
External symbol record - X’0020’ Describes all external names in the program,
definitions and references
Parse tree record - X’0024’ Defines a node in the parse tree of the
program
Token record - X’0030’ Defines a source token
Source error record - X’0032’ Describes errors in source program statements

632 Programming Guide

 Record type What it does
Source record - X’0038’ Describes a single source line
COPY REPLACING record - X’0039’ Describes an instance of text replacement as a
result of a match of COPY. . .REPLACING
operand-1 with text in the copybook being
copied in
Symbol record - X’0042’ Describes a single symbol defined in the
program. There is one Symbol record for each
symbol defined in the program.
Symbol cross-reference record - X’0044’ Describes references to a single symbol
Nested program record - X’0046’ Describes the name and nesting level of a
program
Library record - X’0060’ Describes the library files and members used
from each library
Statistics record - X’0090’ Describes the statistics about the compilation
EVENTS record - X’0120’ EVENTS records are recorded in the
SYSADATA file to provide compatibility with
COBOL/370. The EVENTS record data format
is identical with that in COBOL/370, with the
addition of the standard ADATA header at the
beginning of the record and a field indicating
the length of the EVENTS record data.

“Example: SYSADATA”

Example: SYSADATA
The following sample shows part of the listing of a COBOL program. If this
COBOL program were compiled with the ADATA option, the records produced in
the associated data file would be in the sequence as shown below. Other programs
might produce records not shown below, which would affect the order of the
records.

The following is sample associated data output for a COBOL program:

Type Description
X’0120’ EVENTS Timestamp record
X’0120’ EVENTS Processor record
X’0120’ EVENTS Fileid record
X’0120’ EVENTS Program record
X’0001’ ADATA Identification record
X’0000’ Job Identification record
X’0010’ Options record
X’0038’ Source record for statement 1
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.

Appendix G. COBOL SYSADATA file contents 633

 X’0038’ Source record for statement 2
PROGRAM-ID. AD04202.
X’0038’ Source record for statement 3
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION.
X’0038’ Source record for statement 4
DATA DIVISION.
X’0038’ Source record for statement 5
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
X’0038’ Source record for statement 6
77 COMP3-FLD2 pic S9(3)v9.
X’0038’ Source record for statement 7
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
X’0038’ Source record for statement 8
STOP RUN.
X’0020’ External Symbol record for AD04202
X’0044’ Symbol Cross Reference record for STOP
X’0044’ Symbol Cross Reference record for COMP3-FLD2
X’0044’ Symbol Cross Reference record for AD04202
X’0042’ Symbol record for AD04202
X’0042’ Symbol record for COMP3-FLD2
X’0090’ Statistics record
X’0120’ EVENTS FileEnd record

RELATED REFERENCES
“SYSADATA record descriptions”

SYSADATA record descriptions

The formats of the records written to the associated data file are shown in the
related references below. In the fields described in each of the record types:
C Indicates character (EBCDIC or ASCII) data
H Indicates 2-byte binary integer data
F Indicates 4-byte binary integer data
A Indicates 4-byte binary integer address and offset data
X Indicates hexadecimal (bit) data or 1-byte binary integer data

No boundary alignments are implied by any data type, and the implied lengths
above might be changed by the presence of a length indicator (Ln). All integer data
is in big-endian or little-endian format depending on the indicator bit in the header
flag byte. Big-endian format means that bit 0 is always the most significant bit and
bit n is the least significant bit. Little-endian refers to “byte-reversed” integers as
seen on Intel-based hardware.

All undefined fields and unused values are reserved.

RELATED REFERENCES
“Common header section” on page 635
“Job identification record - X’0000’” on page 636
“ADATA identification record - X’0001’” on page 637
“Compilation unit start/end record - X’0002’” on page 637
“Options record - X’0010’” on page 638
“External symbol record - X’0020’” on page 647
“Parse tree record - X’0024’” on page 648

634 Programming Guide

 “Token record - X’0030’” on page 661
“Source error record - X’0032’” on page 662
“Source record - X’0038’” on page 662
“COPY REPLACING record - X’0039’” on page 663
“Symbol record - X’0042’” on page 664
“Symbol cross-reference record - X’0044’” on page 675
“Nested program record - X’0046’” on page 676
“Library record - X’0060’” on page 677
“Statistics record - X’0090’” on page 678
“EVENTS record - X’0120’” on page 678

Common header section

The header section, common for all record types. For MVS and VSE, each record is
preceded by a 4-byte RDW (record-descriptor word) that is normally used only by
access methods and stripped off by download utilities.

The header section is in the following format:

Field Size Description

Language code XL1
16 High Level Assembler
17 COBOL on all platforms
40 PL/I on supported platforms
Record type HL2 The record type, which can be one of the following:
X’0000’ Job Identification record1
X’0001’ ADATA Identification record
X’0002’ Compilation unit start/end record
X’0010’ Options record1
X’0020’ External Symbol record
X’0024’ Parse Tree record
X’0030’ Token record
X’0032’ Source Error record
X’0038’ Source record
X’0039’ COPY REPLACING record
X’0042’ Symbol record
X’0044’ Symbol Cross-Reference record
X’0046’ Nested Program record
X’0060’ Library record
X’0090’ Statistics record1
X’0120’ EVENTS record
Associated data XL1
3 Definition level for the header structure
architecture level

Appendix G. COBOL SYSADATA file contents 635

 Field Size Description
Flag XL1
.... ..1.
ADATA record integers are in little-endian
(Intel) format
.... ...1
This record is continued in the next record
1111 11..
Reserved for future use
Associated data XL1 Used to indicate a new format for a specific record type,
record edition level usually 0
Reserved CL4 Reserved for future use
Associated data field HL2 The length in bytes of the data following the header
length

1. When a batch compilation (sequence of programs) is run with the ADATA option, there
will be multiple Job Identification, Options, and Statistics records for each compile.

The mapping of the 12-byte header does not include the area used for the
variable-length record-descriptor word required by the access method on MVS and
VSE.

Job identification record - X’0000’

The following table shows the contents of the job identification record:

Field Size Description

Date CL8 The date of the compilation in the format YYYYMMDD
Time CL4 The time of the compilation in the format HHMM
Product number CL8 The product number of the compiler that produced the
associated data file
Product version CL8 The version number of the product that produced the
associated data file, in the form V.R.M
PTF level CL8 The PTF level number of the product that produced the
associated data file. (This field will be blank if the PTF
number is not available.)
System ID CL24 The system identification of the system on which the
compilation was run
Job name CL8 The MVS job name of the compilation job
Step name CL8 The MVS step name of the compilation step
Proc step CL8 The MVS procedure step name of the compilation
procedure step
Number of input HL2 The number of input files recorded in this record.
files1
The following group of seven fields will occur n times
depending on the value in this field.
...Input file number HL2 The assigned sequence number of the file
...Input file name HL2 The length of the following input file name
length
...Volume serial HL2 The length of the Volume serial number
number length

636 Programming Guide

 Field Size Description
...Member name HL2 The length of the member name
length
...Input file name CL(n) The name of the input file for the compilation
...Volume serial CL(n) The volume serial number of the (first) volume on which
number the input file resides
...Member name CL(n) Where applicable, the name of the member in the input
file

1. Where the number of input files would exceed the record size for the associated data
file, the record will be continued on the next record. The current number of input files
(for that record) will be stored in the record and the record written to the associated
data file. The next record will contain the rest of the input files. The count of the
number of input files is a count for the current record.

ADATA identification record - X’0001’

The following table shows the contents of the ADATA identification record:

Field Size Description

Time (binary) XL8 Universal Time (UT) as a binary number of microseconds
since midnight Greenwich Mean Time, with the
low-order bit representing 1 microsecond. This time can
be used as a time-zone-independent time stamp.

On workstation compilers, only bytes 5-8 of the field are

used as a fullword binary field containing the time.
CCSID1 XL2 Coded Character Set Identifier
Character Set flags XL1
X’80’ EBCDIC (IBM-037)
X’40’ ASCII (IBM-850)
Code Page name XL2 Length of the Code Page name that follows
length
Code Page name CL(n) Name of the Code Page

1. The appropriate CCS flag will always be set.

If the CCSID is set to nonzero, the Code Page name length will be zero. If the CCSID is
set to zero, the Code Page name length will be nonzero and the Code Page name will
be present.

Compilation unit start/end record - X’0002’

The following table shows the contents of the ADATA compilation unit start/end
record:

Field Size Description

Type HL2 Compilation unit type, which can be one of the
following:
X’0000’ Start compilation unit
X’0001’ End compilation unit
Reserved CL2 Reserved for future use

Appendix G. COBOL SYSADATA file contents 637

 Field Size Description
Reserved FL4 Reserved for future use

Options record - X’0010’

The following table shows the contents of the options record:

Field Size Description

Option byte 0 XL1
1111 1111
Reserved for future use
Option byte 1 XL1
1... ....
Bit 1 = DECK, Bit 0 = NODECK
.1.. ....
Bit 1 = ADATA, Bit 0 = NOADATA
..1. ....
Bit 1 = COLLSEQ(EBCDIC)
(workstation only)
...1 ....
Bit 1 = SEPOBJ, Bit 0 = NOSEPOBJ
(workstation only)
.... 1...
Bit 1 = NAME, Bit 0 = NONAME
.... .1..
Bit 1 = OBJECT, Bit 0 = NOOBJECT
.... ..1.
Bit 1 = SQL, Bit 0 = NOSQL
.... ...1
Bit 1 = CICS, Bit 0 = NOCICS

638 Programming Guide

Field Size Description
Option byte 2 XL1
1... ....
Bit 1 = OFFSET, Bit 0 = NOOFFSET
.1.. ....
Bit 1 = MAP, Bit 0 = NOMAP
..1. ....
Bit 1 = LIST, Bit 0 = NOLIST
...1 ....
Bit 1 = DBCSXREF, Bit 0 = NODBCSXREF
.... 1...
Bit 1 = XREF(SHORT), Bit 0 = not
XREF(SHORT). This flag should be used in
combination with the flag at bit 7. XREF(FULL)
is indicated by this flag being off and the flag at
bit 7 being on.
.... .1..
Bit 1 = SOURCE, Bit 0 = NOSOURCE
.... ..1.
Bit 1 = VBREF, Bit 0 = NOVBREF
.... ...1
Bit 1 = XREF, Bit 0 = not XREF. See also flag at
bit 4 above.
Option byte 3 XL1
1... ....
Bit 1 = FLAG, Bit 0 = NOFLAG
.1.. ....
Bit 1 = FLAGSTD, Bit 0 = NOFLAGSTD
..1. ....
Bit 1 = NUM, Bit 0 = NONUM
...1 ....
Bit 1 = SEQUENCE, Bit 0 = NOSEQUENCE
.... 1...
Bit 1 = SOSI, Bit 0 = NOSOSI
(workstation only)
.... .1..
Bit 1 = NSYMBOL(NATIONAL), Bit 0 =
NSYMBOL(DBCS)
.... ..1.
Bit 1 = PROFILE, Bit 0 = NOPROFILE
(workstation only)
.... ...1
Bit 1 = WORD, Bit 0 = NOWORD

Appendix G. COBOL SYSADATA file contents 639

 Field Size Description
Option byte 4 XL1
1... ....
Bit 1 = ADV, Bit 0 = NOADV
.1.. ....
Bit 1 = APOST, Bit 0 = QUOTE
..1. ....
Bit 1 = DYNAM, Bit 0 = NODYNAM
...1 ....
Bit 1 = AWO, Bit 0 = NOAWO
.... 1...
Bit 1 = RMODE specified, Bit 0 =
RMODE(AUTO)
.... .1..
Bit 1 = RENT, Bit 0 = NORENT
.... ..1.
Bit 1 = RES - this flag will always be set on for
COBOL.
.... ...1
Bit 1 = RMODE(24) Bit 0 = RMODE(ANY)
Option byte 5 XL1
1... ....
Reserved for compatibility
.1.. ....
Bit 1 = OPT, Bit 0 = NOOPT
..1. ....
Bit 1 = LIB, Bit 0 = NOLIB
...1 ....
Bit 1 = DBCS, Bit 0 = NODBCS
.... 1...
Bit 1 = OPT(FULL), Bit 0 = not OPT(FULL)
.... .1..
Bit 1 = SSRANGE, Bit 0 = NOSSRANGE
.... ..1.
Bit 1 = TEST, Bit 0 = NOTEST
.... ...1
Bit 1 = PROBE, Bit 0 = NOPROBE
(Windows only)

640 Programming Guide

Field Size Description
Option byte 6 XL1
1... ....
Bit 1 = CMPR2, Bit 0 = NOCMPR2
..1. ....
Bit 1 = NUMPROC(PFD), Bit 0 =
NUMPROC(NOPFD)
...1 ....
Bit 1 = NUMCLS(ALT), Bit 0 = NUMCLS(PRIM)
.... .1..
Bit 1 = BINARY(S370), Bit 0 =
BINARY(NATIVE)
(workstation only)
.... ..1.
Bit 1 = TRUNC(STD), Bit 0 = TRUNC(OPT)
.... ...1
Bit 1 = ZWB, Bit 0 = NOZWB
.1.. 1...
Reserved for future use
Option byte 7 XL1
1... ....
Bit 1 = ALOWCBL, Bit 0 = NOALOWCBL
(workstation only)
.1.. ....
Bit 1 = TERM, Bit 0 = NOTERM
..1. ....
Bit 1 = DUMP, Bit 0 = NODUMP
...1 11..
Reserved
.... ..1.
Bit 1 = CURRENCY, Bit 0 = NOCURRENCY
.... ...1
Reserved
Option byte 8 XL1
1111 1111
Reserved for future use
Option byte 9 XL1
1... ....
Bit 1 = DATA(24), Bit 0 = DATA(31)
.1.. ....
Bit 1 = FASTSRT, Bit 0 = NOFASTSRT
..1. ....
Bit 1 = SIZE(MAX), Bit 0 = SIZE(nnnn) or
SIZE(nnnnK)
.... .1..
Bit 1 = THREAD, Bit 0 = NOTHREAD
...1 1.11
Reserved for future use
Option byte A XL1
1111 1111
Reserved for future use

Appendix G. COBOL SYSADATA file contents 641

 Field Size Description
Option byte B XL1
1111 1111
Reserved for future use
Option byte C XL1
1... ....
Bit 1 = TYPECHK, Bit 0 = NOTYPECHK
(workstation only)
.1.. ....
Bit 1 = IDLGEN, Bit 0 = NOIDLGEN
(workstation only)
..1. ....
Bit 1 = INTDATE(LILIAN), Bit 0 =
INTDATE(ANSI)
...1 ....
Reserved for future use
.... 1...
Bit 1 = CHAR(EBCDIC), Bit 0 =
CHAR(NATIVE)
(workstation only)
.... .1..
Bit 1 = FLOAT(HEX), Bit 0 = FLOAT(NATIVE)
(workstation only)
.... ..1.
Bit 1 = COLLSEQ(BIN)
(workstation only)
.... ...1
Bit 1 = COLLSEQ(NATIVE)
(workstation only)
Option byte D XL1
1... ....
Bit 1 = DLL Bit 0 = NODLL
(host only)
.1.. ....
Bit 1 = EXPORTALL, Bit 0 = NOEXPORTALL
(host only)
..1. ....
Bit 1 = ANALYZE, Bit 0 = NOANALYZE
...1 ....
Bit 1 = DATEPROC, Bit 0 = NODATEPROC
.... 1...
Bit 1 = DATEPROC(FLAG), Bit 0 =
DATEPROC(NOFLAG)
.... .1..
YEARWINDOW
.... ..1.
Bit 1 = WSCLEAR, Bit 0 = NOWSCLEAR
(workstation only)
.... ...1
Bit 1 = BEOPT, Bit 0 = NOBEOPT
(workstation only)

642 Programming Guide

Field Size Description
Option byte E XL1
1... ....
DATEPROC(TRIG), Bit 0 =
DATEPROC(NOTRIG)
.1.. ....
Bit 1 = DIAGTRUNC, Bit 0 = NODIAGTRUNC
..11 1111
Reserved for future use
Option byte F XL1
1111 1111
Reserved for future use
Flag level XL1
X’00’ Flag(I)
X’04’ Flag(W)
X’08’ Flag(E)
X’0C’ Flag(S)
X’10’ Flag(U)
X’FF’ Noflag
Imbedded diagnostic XL1
X’00’ Flag(I)
level
X’04’ Flag(W)
X’08’ Flag(E)
X’0C’ Flag(S)
X’10’ Flag(U)
X’FF’ Noflag
FLAGSTD (FIPS) XL1
1... ....
specification
Minimum
.1.. ....
Intermediate
..1. ....
High
...1 ....
Reserved for future use
.... 1...
Level-1 Segmentation
.... .1..
Level-2 Segmentation
.... ..1.
Debugging
.... ...1
Obsolete
Reserved for flagging XL1
1111 1111
Reserved for future use

Appendix G. COBOL SYSADATA file contents 643

 Field Size Description
Compiler mode XL1
X’00’ Unconditional Nocompile, Nocompile(I)
X’04’ Nocompile(W)
X’08’ Nocompile(E)
X’0C’ Nocompile(S)
X’FF’ Compile
Space value CL1
Data for 3-valued XL1
1... ....
options
NAME(ALIAS) specified
.1.. ....
NUMPROC(MIG) specified
..1. ....
TRUNC(BIN) specified
...1 1111
Reserved for future use
TEST(hook,sym,sep) XL1
1... ....
suboptions
TEST(ALL,x)
.1.. ....
TEST(NONE,x)
..1. ....
TEST(STMT,x)
...1 ....
TEST(PATH,x)
.... 1...
TEST(BLOCK,x)
.... .1..
TEST(x,SYM)
.... ..1.
Bit 1 = SEPARATE, Bit 0 = NOSEPARATE
.... ...1
Reserved for TEST suboptions
OUTDD name length HL2 Length of OUTDD name
RWT ID Length HL2 Length of Reserved Word Table identifier
LVLINFO CL4 User-specified LVLINFO data
PGMNAME XL1
1... ....
suboptions
Bit 1 = PGMNAME(COMPAT)
.1.. ....
Bit 1 = PGMNAME(LONGUPPER)
..1. ....
Bit 1 = PGMNAME(LONGMIXED)
...1 1111
Reserved for future use

644 Programming Guide

Field Size Description
Entry interface XL1
1... ....
suboptions
Bit 1 = EntryInterface(System)
(Windows only)
.1.. ....
Bit 1 = EntryInterface(OptLink)
(Windows only)
..11 1111
Reserved for future use
CallInterface XL1
1... ....
suboptions
Bit 1 = CallInterface(System)
(Windows only)
.1.. ....
Bit 1 = CallInterface(OptLink)
(Windows only)
..11 1111
Reserved for future use
ARITH suboption XL1
1... ....
Bit 1 = ARITH(COMPAT)
.1.. ....
Bit 1 = ARITH(EXTEND)
11 1111
Reserved for future use
DBCS Req FL4 DBCS XREF storage requirement
DBCS ORDPGM HL2 Length of name of DBCS Ordering Program
length
DBCS ENCTBL HL2 Length of name of DBCS Encode Table
length
DBCS ORD TYPE CL2 DBCS Ordering type
Reserved CL6 Reserved for future use
Converted SO CL1 Converted SO hex value
Converted SI CL1 Converted SI hex value
Language id CL2 This field holds the two-character abbreviation (one of
EN, UE, JA, or JP) from the LANGUAGE option.
Reserved CL8 Reserved for future use
INEXIT name length HL2 Length of SYSIN user-exit name
PRTEXIT name length HL2 Length of SYSPRINT user-exit name
LIBEXIT name length HL2 Length of ’Library’ user-exit name
ADEXIT name length HL2 Length of ADATA user-exit name
CURROPT CL5 CURRENCY option value
Reserved CL1 Reserved for future use
YEARWINDOW HL2 YEARWINDOW option value
CODEPAGE HL2 CODEPAGE CCSID option value
Reserved CL50 Reserved for future use
LINECNT HL2 LINECOUNT value

Appendix G. COBOL SYSADATA file contents 645

 Field Size Description
Reserved CL2 Reserved for future use
BUFSIZE FL4 BUFSIZE option value
Size value FL4 SIZE option value
Reserved FL4 Reserved for future use
Phase residence bits XL1
1... ....
byte 1
Bit 1 = IGYCLIBR in user region
.1.. ....
Bit 1 = IGYCSCAN in user region
..1. ....
Bit 1 = IGYCDSCN in user region
...1 ....
Bit 1 = IGYCGROU in user region
.... 1...
Bit 1 = IGYCPSCN in user region
.... .1..
Bit 1 = IGYCPANA in user region
.... ..1.
Bit 1 = IGYCFGEN in user region
.... ...1
Bit 1 = IGYCPGEN in user region
Phase residence bits XL1
1... ....
byte 2
Bit 1 = IGYCOPTM in user region
.1.. ....
Bit 1 = IGYCLSTR in user region
..1. ....
Bit 1 = IGYCXREF in user region
...1 ....
Bit 1 = IGYCDMAP in user region
.... 1...
Bit 1 = IGYCASM1 in user region
.... .1..
Bit 1 = IGYCASM2 in user region
.... ..1.
Bit 1 = IGYCDIAG in user region
.... ...1
Reserved for future use
Phase residence bits XL2 Reserved
bytes 3 and 4
Reserved CL8 Reserved for future use
OUTDD name CL(n) OUTDD name
RWT CL(n) Reserved word table identifier
DBCS ORDPGM CL(n) DBCS Ordering program name
DBCS ENCTBL CL(n) DBCS Encode table name
INEXIT name CL(n) SYSIN user-exit name

646 Programming Guide

 Field Size Description
PRTEXIT name CL(n) SYSPRINT user-exit name
LIBEXIT name CL(n) ’Library’ user-exit name
ADEXIT name CL(n) ADATA user-exit name

External symbol record - X’0020’

The following table shows the contents of the external symbol record:

Field Size Description

Section type XL1
X’00’ PROGRAM-ID Name
Main entry point name
X’01’ ENTRY Name
Secondary entry point name
X’02’ External Reference
Referenced external entry point
X’04’ N/A for COBOL
X’05’ N/A for COBOL
X’06’ N/A for COBOL
X’0A’ N/A for COBOL
X’12’ Internal Reference
Referenced internal subprogram
X’C0’ External CLASS Name
OO COBOL CLASS definition
X’C1’ METHOD-ID Name
OO COBOL Method definition
X’C6’ Method Reference
OO COBOL Method reference
X’FF’ N/A for COBOL

Types X’12’, X’C0’, X’C1’ and X’C6X’ are for COBOL

only.
Flags XL1 N/A for COBOL
Reserved HL2 Reserved for future use
Symbol-id FL4 Symbol-id of program that contains the reference (only
for types x’02’ and x’12’)
Line number FL4 Line number of statement that contains the reference
(only for types x’02’ and x’12’)
Section length FL4 N/A for COBOL
LD ID FL4 N/A for COBOL
Reserved CL8 Reserved for future use
External Name length HL2 Number of characters in the external name
Alias Name length HL2 N/A for COBOL
External Name CL(n) The external name
Alias Section name CL(n) N/A for COBOL

Appendix G. COBOL SYSADATA file contents 647

Parse tree record - X’0024’
The following table shows the contents of the parse tree record:

Field Size Description

Node number FL4 The node number generated by the compiler, starting at
1
Node type HL2 The type of the node:
001 Program
002 Class
003 Method

101 Identification Division

102 Environment Division
103 Data Division
104 Procedure Division
105 End Program/Method/Class

201 Declaratives body

202 Nondeclaratives body

301 Section
302 Procedure section

401 Paragraph
402 Procedure paragraph

501 Sentence
502 File definition
503 Sort file definition
504 Program name
505 Program attribute
508 ENVIRONMENT DIVISION clause
509 CLASS attribute
510 METHOD attribute
511 USE statement

601 Statement
602 Data description clause
603 Data entry
604 File description clause
605 Data entry name
606 Data entry level
607 EXEC entry

648 Programming Guide

Field Size Description

701 EVALUATE subject phrase

702 EVALUATE WHEN phrase
703 EVALUATE WHEN OTHER phrase
704 SEARCH WHEN phrase
705 INSPECT CONVERTING phrase
706 INSPECT REPLACING phrase
707 INSPECT TALLYING phrase
708 PERFORM UNTIL phrase
709 PERFORM VARYING phrase
710 PERFORM AFTER phrase
711 Statement block
712 Scope Terminator
713 INITIALIZE REPLACING phrase
714 EXEC CICS Command
720 DATA DIVISION phrase

801 Phrase
802 ON phrase
803 NOT phrase
804 THEN phrase
805 ELSE phrase
806 Condition
807 Expression
808 Relative indexing
809 EXEC CICS Option
810 Reserved word
811 INITIALIZE REPLACING category

Appendix G. COBOL SYSADATA file contents 649

 Field Size Description

901 Section or paragraph name

902 Identifier
903 Alphabet-name
904 Class-name
905 Condition-name
906 File-name
907 Index-name
908 Mnemonic-name
910 Symbolic-character
911 Literal
912 Function identifier
913 Data-name
914 Special register
915 Procedure reference
916 Arithmetic operator
917 All Procedures
918 INITIALIZE literal (no tokens)
919 ALL literal or figcon
920 Keyword class name
921 Reserved word at identifier level
922 Unary operator
923 Conditional operator

1001 Subscript
1002 Reference modification
Node subtype HL2 The subtype of the node.

For Section type:

0001 CONFIGURATION Section
0002 INPUT-OUTPUT Section
0003 FILE Section
0004 WORKING-STORAGE Section
0005 LINKAGE Section
0006 LOCAL-STORAGE Section
0007 REPOSITORY Section

650 Programming Guide

Field Size Description
For Paragraph type:
0001 PROGRAM-ID paragraph
0002 AUTHOR paragraph
0003 INSTALLATION paragraph
0004 DATE-WRITTEN paragraph
0005 SECURITY paragraph
0006 SOURCE-COMPUTER paragraph
0007 OBJECT-COMPUTER paragraph
0008 SPECIAL-NAMES paragraph
0009 FILE-CONTROL paragraph
0010 I-O-CONTROL paragraph
0011 DATE-COMPILED paragraph
0012 CLASS-ID paragraph
0013 METHOD-ID paragraph
0014 REPOSITORY paragraph
For Environment Division clause type:
0001 WITH DEBUGGING MODE
0002 MEMORY-SIZE
0003 SEGMENT-LIMIT
0004 CURRENCY-SIGN
0005 DECIMAL POINT
0006 PROGRAM COLLATING SEQUENCE
0007 ALPHABET
0008 SYMBOLIC-CHARACTER
0009 CLASS
0010 ENVIRONMENT NAME
0011 SELECT

Appendix G. COBOL SYSADATA file contents 651

 Field Size Description
For Data description clause type:
0001 BLANK WHEN ZERO
0002 DATA-NAME OR FILLER
0003 JUSTIFIED
0004 OCCURS
0005 PICTURE
0006 REDEFINES
0007 RENAMES
0008 SIGN
0009 SYNCHRONIZED
0010 USAGE
0011 VALUE
0023 GLOBAL
0024 EXTERNAL

652 Programming Guide

Field Size Description
For File description clause type:
0001 FILE STATUS
0002 ORGANIZATION
0003 ACCESS MODE
0004 RECORD KEY
0005 ASSIGN
0006 RELATIVE KEY
0007 PASSWORD
0008 PROCESSING MODE
0009 RECORD DELIMITER
0010 PADDING CHARACTER
0011 BLOCK CONTAINS
0012 RECORD CONTAINS
0013 LABEL RECORDS
0014 VALUE OF
0015 DATA RECORDS
0016 LINAGE
0017 ALTERNATE KEY
0018 LINES AT TOP
0019 LINES AT BOTTOM
0020 CODE-SET
0021 RECORDING MODE
0022 RESERVE
0023 GLOBAL
0024 EXTERNAL
0025 LOCK

Appendix G. COBOL SYSADATA file contents 653

 Field Size Description
For Statement type:
0002 NEXT SENTENCE
0003 ACCEPT
0004 ADD
0005 ALTER
0006 CALL
0007 CANCEL
0008 CLOSE
0009 COMPUTE
0010 CONTINUE
0011 DELETE
0012 DISPLAY
0013 DIVIDE (INTO)
0113 DIVIDE (BY)
0014 ENTER
0015 ENTRY
0016 EVALUATE
0017 EXIT
0018 GO
0019 GOBACK
0020 IF
0021 INITIALIZE
0022 INSPECT

654 Programming Guide

Field Size Description

0023 INVOKE
0024 MERGE
0025 MOVE
0026 MULTIPLY
0027 OPEN
0028 PERFORM
0029 READ
0030 READY
0031 RELEASE
0032 RESET
0033 RETURN
0034 REWRITE
0035 SEARCH
0036 SERVICE
0037 SET
0038 SORT
0039 START
0040 STOP
0041 STRING
0042 SUBTRACT
0043 UNSTRING
0044 EXEC SQL
0144 EXEC CICS
0045 WRITE
0046 XML

Appendix G. COBOL SYSADATA file contents 655

 Field Size Description
For Phrase type:
0001 INTO
0002 DELIMITED
0003 INITIALIZE. . .REPLACING
0004 INSPECT. . .ALL
0005 INSPECT. . .LEADING
0006 SET. . .TO
0007 SET. . .UP
0008 SET. . .DOWN
0009 PERFORM. . .TIMES
0010 DIVIDE. . .REMAINDER
0011 INSPECT. . .FIRST
0012 SEARCH. . .VARYING
0013 MORE-LABELS
0014 SEARCH ALL
0015 SEARCH. . .AT END
0016 SEARCH. . .TEST INDEX
0017 GLOBAL
0018 LABEL
0019 DEBUGGING
0020 SEQUENCE
0021 Reserved for future use
0022 Reserved for future use
0023 Reserved for future use
0024 TALLYING
0025 Reserved for future use
0026 ON SIZE ERROR
0027 ON OVERFLOW
0028 ON ERROR
0029 AT END
0030 INVALID KEY

656 Programming Guide

Field Size Description

0031 END-OF-PAGE
0032 USING
0033 BEFORE
0034 AFTER
0035 EXCEPTION
0036 CORRESPONDING
0037 Reserved for future use
0038 RETURNING
0039 GIVING
0040 THROUGH
0041 KEY
0042 DELIMITER
0043 POINTER
0044 COUNT
0045 METHOD
0046 PROGRAM
0047 INPUT
0048 OUTPUT
0049 I-O
0050 EXTEND
0051 RELOAD
0052 ASCENDING
0053 DESCENDING
0054 DUPLICATES
0055 NATIVE (USAGE)
0056 INDEXED
0057 FROM
0058 FOOTING
0059 LINES AT BOTTOM
0060 LINES AT TOP

Appendix G. COBOL SYSADATA file contents 657

 Field Size Description
For Function identifier type:
0001 COS
0002 LOG
0003 MAX
0004 MIN
0005 MOD
0006 ORD
0007 REM
0008 SIN
0009 SUM
0010 TAN
0011 ACOS
0012 ASIN
0013 ATAN
0014 CHAR
0015 MEAN
0016 SQRT
0017 LOG10
0018 RANGE
0019 LENGTH
0020 MEDIAN
0021 NUMVAL
0022 RANDOM
0023 ANNUITY
0024 INTEGER
0025 ORD-MAX
0026 ORD-MIN
0027 REVERSE
0028 MIDRANGE
0029 NUMVAL-C
0030 VARIANCE
0031 FACTORIAL
0032 LOWER-CASE

658 Programming Guide

Field Size Description

0033 UPPER-CASE
0034 CURRENT-DATE
0035 INTEGER-PART
0036 PRESENT-VALUE
0037 WHEN-COMPILED
0038 DAY-OF-INTEGER
0039 INTEGER-OF-DAY
0040 DATE-OF-INTEGER
0041 INTEGER-OF-DATE
0042 STANDARD-DEVIATION
0043 YEAR-TO-YYYY
0044 DAY-TO-YYYYDDD
0045 DATE-TO-YYYYMMDD
0046 UNDATE
0047 DATEVAL
0048 YEARWINDOW
0049 DISPLAY-OF
0050 NATIONAL-OF
For Special Register type:
0001 ADDRESS OF
0002 LENGTH OF
For Reserved Word Class type:
0001 ALPHABETIC
0002 ALPHABETIC-LOWER
0003 ALPHABETIC-UPPER
0004 DBCS
0005 KANJI
0006 NUMERIC
0007 NEGATIVE
0008 POSITIVE
0009 ZERO
For Reserved Word type:
0001 TRUE
0002 FALSE
0003 ANY
0004 THRU

Appendix G. COBOL SYSADATA file contents 659

 Field Size Description
For Identifier, Data-name, Index-name, Condition-name
or Mnemonic-name type:
0001 REFERENCED
0002 CHANGED
0003 REFERENCED & CHANGED
For Initialize literal type:
0001 ALPHABETIC
0002 ALPHANUMERIC
0003 NUMERIC
0004 ALPHANUMERIC-EDITED
0005 NUMERIC-EDITED
0006 DBCS/EGCS
0007 NATIONAL
For Procedure name type:
0001 SECTION
0002 PARAGRAPH
For Reserved word at identifier level type:
0001 ROUNDED
0002 TRUE
0003 ON
0004 OFF
0005 SIZE
0006 DATE
0007 DAY
0008 DAY-OF-WEEK
0009 TIME
0010 WHEN-COMPILED
0011 PAGE
0012 DATE YYYYMMDD
0013 DAY YYYYDDD
For Arithmetic Operator type:
0001 PLUS
0002 MINUS
0003 TIMES
0004 DIVIDE
0005 DIVIDE REMAINDER
0006 EXPONENTIATE
0007 NEGATE

660 Programming Guide

 Field Size Description
For Relational Operator type:
0008 LESS
0009 LESS OR EQUAL
0010 EQUAL
0011 NOT EQUAL
0012 GREATER
0013 GREATER OR EQUAL
0014 AND
0015 OR
0016 CLASS CONDITION
0017 NOT CLASS CONDITION
Parent node number FL4 The node number of the parent of the node
Left sibling node FL4 The node number of the left sibling of the node, if any. If
number none, the value is zero.
Symbol Id FL4 The Symbol Id of the node, if it is a user-name of one of
the following types:
v data entry
v identifier
v file-name
v index-name
v procedure-name
v condition-name
v mnemonic-name

This value corresponds to the Symbol ID in a Symbol

(Type 42) record, except for procedure-names where it
corresponds to the Paragraph ID.

For all other node types this value is zero.

Section Symbol Id FL4 The Symbol Id of the section containing the node, if it is
a qualified paragraph-name reference. This value
corresponds to the Section ID in a Symbol (Type 42)
record.

For all other node types this value is zero.

First token number FL4 The number of the first token associated with the node
Last token number FL4 The number of the last token associated with the node
Reserved FL4 Reserved for future use
Flags CL1 Information about the node:
X’80’ Reserved
X’40’ Generated node, no tokens
Reserved CL3 Reserved for future use

Token record - X’0030’

The following table shows the contents of the token record:

Appendix G. COBOL SYSADATA file contents 661

 Field Size Description
Token number FL4 The token number within the source file generated by
the compiler, starting at 1. Any copybooks have already
been included in the source.
Token code HL2 The type of token (user-name, literal, reserved word,
etc.).

For reserved words, the compiler reserved word table

values are used.

For PICTURE strings, the special code 0000 is used.

For (other than the last) piece of a continued token, the

special code 3333 is used.
Token length HL2 The length of the token
Token column FL4 The starting column number of the token on the source
line
Token line FL4 The line number of the token
Flags CL1 Information about the token:
X’80’ Token is continued
X’40’ Last piece of continued token

Note that for PICTURE strings, even if the source token is

continued, there will be only one Token record
generated. It will have a token code of 0000, the token
column and line of the first piece, the length of the
complete string, no continuation flags set, and the token
text of the complete string.
Reserved CL7 Reserved for future use
Token text CL(n) The actual token string

Source error record - X’0032’

The following table shows the contents of the source error record:

Field Size Description

Statement number FL4 The statement number of the statement in error
Error identifier CL16 The error message identifier (left-justified and padded
with blanks)
Error severity HL2 The severity of the error
Error message length HL2 The length of the error message text
Line position XL1 The line position indicator provided in FIPS messages
Reserved CL7 Reserved for future use
Error message CL(n) The error message text

Source record - X’0038’

The following table shows the contents of the source record:

662 Programming Guide

 Field Size Description
Line number FL4 The listing line number of the source record
Input record number FL4 The input source record number in the current input file
Primary file number HL2 The input file’s assigned sequence number if this record
is from the primary input file. (Refer to the Input file n
in the Job identification record).
Library file number HL2 The library input file’s assigned sequence number if this
record is from a COPY/BASIS input file. (Refer to the
Member File ID n in the Library record.)
Reserved CL8 Reserved for future use
Parent record number FL4 The parent source record number. This will be the record
number of the COPY/BASIS statement.
Parent primary file HL2 The parent file’s assigned sequence number if the parent
number of this record is from the primary input file. (Refer to the
Input file n in the Job Identification Record.)
Parent library HL2 The parent library file’s assigned sequence number if this
assigned file number record’s parent is from a COPY/BASIS input file. (Refer to
the COPY/BASIS Member File ID n in the Library record.)
Reserved CL8 Reserved for future use
Length of source HL2 The length of the actual source record following
record
Reserved CL10 Reserved for future use
Source record CL(n)

COPY REPLACING record - X’0039’

One COPY REPLACING type record will be put out for each time a REPLACING action
takes place. That is, whenever operand-1 of the REPLACING phrase is matched with
text in the copybook, a COPY REPLACING TEXT record will be written.

The following table shows the contents of the COPY REPLACING record:

Field Size Description

Starting Line number FL4 The listing line number of the start of the text that
of REPLACED string resulted from the REPLACING
Starting column FL4 The listing column number of the start of the text that
number of REPLACED resulted from the REPLACING
string
Ending Line number FL4 The listing line number of the end of the text that
of REPLACED string resulted from the REPLACING
Ending column FL4 The listing column number of the end of the text that
number of REPLACED resulted from the REPLACING
string
Starting Line number FL4 The source file line number of the start of the text that
of original string was changed by the REPLACING
Starting column FL4 The source file column number of the start of the text
number of original that was changed by the REPLACING
string
Ending Line number FL4 The source file line number of the end of the text that
of original string was changed by the REPLACING

Appendix G. COBOL SYSADATA file contents 663

 Field Size Description
Ending column FL4 The source file column number of the end of the text that
number of original was changed by the REPLACING
string

Symbol record - X’0042’

The following table shows the contents of the symbol record:

Field Size Description

Symbol ID FL4 Unique ID of symbol
Line number FL4 The listing line number of the source record in which the
symbol is defined or declared
Level XL1 True level number of symbol (or relative level number of
a data item within a structure). For COBOL, this can be
in the range 01-49, 66 (for Renames items), 77, or 88 (for
condition items).
Qualification XL1
X’00’ Unique name; no qualification needed.
Indicator
X’01’ This data item needs qualification. The name is
not unique within the program. This field
applies only when this data item is NOT the
level-01 name.
Symbol type XL1
X’68’ Class-name (Class-ID)
X’58’ Method-name
X’40’ Data-name
X’20’ Procedure-name
X’10’ Mnemonic-name
X’08’ Program-name
X’81’ Reserved

The following are ORed into the above types, when

applicable:
X’04’ External
X’02’ Global

664 Programming Guide

Field Size Description
Symbol attribute XL1
X’01’ Numeric
X’02’ Alphanumeric
X’03’ Group
X’04’ Pointer
X’05’ Index data item
X’06’ Index-name
X’07’ Condition
X’0F’ File
X’10’ Sort file
X’17’ Class-name (Repository)
X’18’ Object Reference

Appendix G. COBOL SYSADATA file contents 665

 Field Size Description
Clauses XL1 Clauses specified in symbol definition.

For numeric, alphanumeric, group, and index symbols

1... ....
Value
.1.. ....
Indexed
..1. ....
Redefines
...1 ....
Renames
.... 1...
Occurs
.... .1..
Has Occurs keys
.... ..1.
Occurs Depending On
.... ...1
Occurs in parent

For both file types

1... ....
Select
.1.. ....
Assign
..1. ....
Rerun
...1 ....
Same area
.... 1...
Same record area
.... .1..
Recording mode
.... ..1.
Reserved
.... ...1
Record

666 Programming Guide

Field Size Description
For mnemonic-name symbols
01 CSP
02 C01
03 C02
04 C03
05 C04
06 C05
07 C06
08 C07
09 C08
10 C09
11 C10
12 C11
13 C12
14 S01
15 S02
16 S03
17 S04
18 S05
19 CONSOLE
20 SYSIN/SYSIPT
22 SYSOUT/SYSLST/SYSLIST
24 SYSPUNCH/SYSPCH
26 UPSI-0
27 UPSI-1
28 UPSI-2
29 UPSI-3
30 UPSI-4
31 UPSI-5
32 UPSI-6
33 UPSI-7
34 AFP-5A

Appendix G. COBOL SYSADATA file contents 667

 Field Size Description
Data flags 1 XL1 For both file types, and numeric, alphanumeric, group,
and index symbols
1... ....
Redefined
.1.. ....
Renamed
..1. ....
Synchronized
...1 ....
Implicitly redefined
.... 1...
Date field
.... .1..
Implicit redefines
.... ..1.
FILLER
.... ...1
Level 77

668 Programming Guide

Field Size Description
Data flags 2 XL1 For numeric symbols
1... ....
Binary
.1.. ....
External floating point
..1. ....
Internal floating point
...1 ....
Packed
.... 1...
Zoned
.... .1..
Scaled negative
.... ..1.
Numeric edited
.... ...1
Reserved for future use

For alphanumeric symbols (including Group items)

1... ....
Alphabetic
.1.. ....
Alphanumeric
..1. ....
Alphanumeric edited
...1 ....
Group contains its own ODO object
.... 1...
DBCS item
.... .1..
Group variable length
.... ..1.
EGCS item
.... ...1
EGCS edited

Appendix G. COBOL SYSADATA file contents 669

 Field Size Description
For both file types
1... ....
Object of ODO in record
.1.. ....
Subject of ODO in record
..1. ....
Sequential access
...1 ....
Random access
.... 1...
Dynamic access
.... .1..
Locate mode
.... ..1.
Record area
.... ...1
Reserved for future use

Field will be zero for all other data types.

Data flags 3 XL1 For both file types
1... ....
All records are the same length
.1.. ....
Fixed length
..1. ....
Variable length
...1 ....
Undefined
.... 1...
Spanned
.... .1..
Blocked
.... ..1.
Apply write only
.... ...1
Same sort merge area

Field will be zero for all other data types.

670 Programming Guide

Field Size Description
File organization XL1 For both file types
1... ....
QSAM
.1.. ....
ASCII
..1. ....
Standard label
...1 ....
User label
.... 1...
VSAM sequential
.... .1..
VSAM indexed
.... ..1.
VSAM relative
.... ...1
Line Sequential

Field will be zero for all other data types.

USAGE clause FL1
X’00’ USAGE IS DISPLAY
X’01’ USAGE IS COMP-1
X’02’ USAGE IS COMP-2
X’03’ USAGE IS PACKED-DECIMAL or USAGE IS COMP-3
X’04’ USAGE IS BINARY, USAGE IS COMP, or USAGE IS
COMP-4
X’05’ USAGE IS DISPLAY-1
X’06’ USAGE IS POINTER
X’07’ USAGE IS INDEX
X’08’ USAGE IS PROCEDURE-POINTER
X’09’ USAGE IS OBJECT-REFERENCE
X’0B’ NATIONAL
X’0A’ FUNCTION-POINTER
Sign clause FL1
X’00’ No SIGN clause
X’01’ SIGN IS LEADING
X’02’ SIGN IS LEADING SEPARATE CHARACTER
X’03’ SIGN IS TRAILING
X’04’ SIGN IS TRAILING SEPARATE CHARACTER
Indicators FL1
X’01’ Has JUSTIFIED clause. Right-justified attribute is
in effect.
X’02’ Has BLANK WHEN ZERO clause.

Appendix G. COBOL SYSADATA file contents 671

 Field Size Description
Size FL4 The size of this data item. The actual number of bytes
this item occupies in storage. If a DBCS item, the number
is in bytes, not characters. For variable-length items, this
field will reflect the maximum size of storage reserved
for this item by the compiler. Also known as the “Length
attribute.”
Precision FL1 The precision of a FIXED or FLOAT data item
Scale FL1 The scale factor of a FIXED data item. This is the number
of digits to the right of the decimal point.
Base locator type FL1 For host:
01 Base Locator File
02 Base Locator Working-Storage
03 Base Locator Linkage Section
05 Base Locator Special regs
07 Indexed by variable
09 COMREG special reg
10 UPSI switch
13 Base Locator for Varloc items
14 Base Locator for Extern data
15 Base Locator Alphanumeric FUNC
16 Base Locator Alphanumeric EVAL
17 Base Locator for Object data
19 Base Locator for Local-Storage
20 Factory Data
21 XML-TEXT

For workstation:
01 Base Locator File
02 Base Locator Linkage Section
03 Base Locator for Varloc items
04 Base Locator for Extern data
05 Base Locator for Object data
10 Base Locator Working-Storage
11 Base Locator Special regs
12 Base Locator Alphanumeric FUNC
13 Base Locator Alphanumeric EVAL
14 Indexed by variable
16 COMREG special reg
17 UPSI switch
22 Base Locator for Local-Storage

672 Programming Guide

Field Size Description
Date Format FL1 Date Format:
01 YY
02 YYXX
03 YYXXXX
04 YYXXX
05 YYYY
06 YYYYXX
07 YYYYXXXX
08 YYYYXXX
09 YYX
10 YYYYX
22 XXYY
23 XXXXYY
24 XXXYY
26 XXYYYY
27 XXXXYYYY
28 XXXYYYY
29 XYY
30 XYYYY
Reserved FL4 Reserved for future use
Addressing FL4 For host, the Base Locator number and displacement:
information
Bits 0-4
Unused
Bits 5-19
Base Locator (BL) number
Bits 20-31
Displacement off Base Locator

For workstation, the W-code SymId.

Structure AL4 Offset of symbol within structure. This offset is set to 0
Displacement for variably located items.
Parent Displacement AL4 Byte offset from immediate parent of the item being
defined.
Parent ID FL4 The symbol ID of the the immediate parent of the item
being defined.
Redefined ID FL4 The symbol ID of the data item that this item redefines,
if applicable.
Start-Renamed ID FL4 If this item is a 66-level item, the symbol ID of the
starting COBOL data item that this item renames. If not a
66-level item, this field is set to 0.
End-Renamed ID FL4 If this item is a 66-level item, the symbol ID of the
ending COBOL data item that this item renames. If not a
66-level item, this field is set to 0.

Appendix G. COBOL SYSADATA file contents 673

 Field Size Description
Program Name FL4 ID of the Program name of the Program or the Class
Symbol ID name of the Class where this symbol is defined.
OCCURS Minimum / FL4 Minimum value for OCCURS

Paragraph ID Proc-name ID for a paragraph-name

OCCURS Maximum FL4 Maximum value for OCCURS
/
Proc-name ID for a section-name
Section ID
Dimensions FL4 Number of dimensions
Reserved CL12 Reserved for future use
Value Pairs Count HL2 Count of value pairs
Symbol name length HL2 Number of characters in the symbol name
Picture data length HL2 Number of characters in the picture data—zero if symbol
for data name has no associated PICTURE clause. (Length of the PICTURE
field.) Length will represent the field as it is found in the
source input. This length does not represent the
expanded field for picture items containing a replication
factor. The maximum COBOL length for a PICTURE string
is 50 bytes. Zero in this field indicates no PICTURE
specified.
Assignment name
Number of characters in the external file name if this is a
length for file name
file name. This is the DD name part of the assignment
name. Zero if file name and ASSIGN USING specified.
Initial value length HL2 Number of characters in the symbol value—zero if
for data name symbol has no initial value.

External CLASS name Number of characters in the external CLASS name for
length for CLASS-ID CLASS-ID
ODO Symbol name FL4 If data-name, ID of the ODO symbol name—zero if ODO
ID for data-name not specified.

ID of ASSIGN date If file-name, Symbol-ID for ASSIGN USING

name if file name data-name—zero if ASSIGN TO specified
Keys Count HL2 The number of keys defined
Index Count HL2 Count of Index symbol IDs; zero if none specified
Symbol name CL(n)
Picture data string for CL(n) The PICTURE character string exactly as the user types it
data-name in. The character string includes all symbols, parentheses,
and replication factor.
Assignment-name for
file-name The external file name if this is a file name. This is the DD
name part of the assignment name.
Index ID List (n)FL4 ID of each index symbol name
Keys (n)XL8 This field contains data describing keys specified for an
array. The following three fields are repeated as many
times as specified in the Keys Count field.
...Key Sequence FL1 Ascending/Descending Indicator.
X’00’ DESCENDING
X’01’ ASCENDING

674 Programming Guide

 Field Size Description
...Filler CL3 Reserved
...Key ID FL4 The symbol ID of the data item that is the key field in
the array
Initial Value data for CL(n) This field contains the data specified in the INITIAL
data-name VALUE clause for this symbol. The following four
subfields are repeated according to the count in the
Value Pairs Count field. The total length of the data in
this field is contained in the ’Initial value length’ field.
External class-name
for CLASS-ID The external class-name for CLASS-ID.
...1st value length HL2 Length of first value
...1st value data CL(n) 1st value.

This field contains the literal (or figurative constant) as it

is specified in the VALUE clause in the source file. It
includes any beginning and ending delimiters, embedded
quotes, and SHIFT IN and SHIFT OUT characters. If the
literal spans multiple lines, the lines are concatenated
into one long string. If a figurative constant is specified,
this field contains the actual reserved word, not the
value associated with that word.
...2nd value length HL2 Length of second value—zero if not a THRU value pair
...2nd value data CL(n) 2nd value.

This field contains the literal (or figurative constant) as it

is specified in the VALUE clause in the source file. It
includes any beginning and ending delimiters, embedded
quotes, and SHIFT IN and SHIFT OUT characters. If the
literal spans multiple lines, the lines are concatenated
into one long string. If a figurative constant is specified,
this field contains the actual reserved word, not the
value associated with that word.

Symbol cross-reference record - X’0044’

The following table shows the contents of the symbol cross-reference record:

Field Size Description

Symbol length HL2 The length of the symbol
Statement definition FL4 The statement number where the symbol is defined or
declared

For VERB XREF only

Verb count - total number of references to this verb.

Number of HL2 The number of references in this record to the symbol
references1 following

Appendix G. COBOL SYSADATA file contents 675

 Field Size Description
Cross-reference type XL1
X’01’ Program
X’02’ Procedure
X’03’ Verb
X’04’ Symbol or data-name
X’05’ Method
X’06’ Class
Reserved CL7 Reserved for future use
Symbol name CL(n) The symbol. Variable length.
...Reference flag CL1 For symbol or data-name references:
C’ ’ Blank means reference only
C’M’ Modification reference flag

For Procedure type symbol references:

C’A’ ALTER (procedure name)
C’D’ GO TO (procedure name) DEPENDING ON
C’E’ End of range of (PERFORM) through (procedure
name)
C’G’ GO TO (procedure name)
C’P’ PERFORM (procedure name)
C’T’ (ALTER) TO PROCEED TO (procedure name)
C’U’ use for debugging (procedure name)
...Statement number XL4 The statement number on which the symbol or verb is
referenced

1. The reference flag field and the statement number field occur as many times as the
number of references field dictates.
For example, if there is a value of 10 in the number of references field, there will be 10
occurrences of the reference flag and statement number pair in the case of data-name,
procedure, or program symbols, or 10 occurrences of the statement number in the case
of verbs.
Where the number of references would exceed the record size for the SYSADATA file,
the record is continued on the next record. The continuation flag is set in the common
header section of the record.

Nested program record - X’0046’

The following table shows the contents of the nested program record:

Field Size Description

Statement definition FL4 The statement number that the symbol is defined or
declared
Nesting level XL1 Program Nesting level

676 Programming Guide

 Field Size Description
Program attributes XL1
1... ....
Initial
.1.. ....
Common
..1. ....
PROCEDURE DIVISION using
...1 1111
Reserved for future use
Reserved XL1 Reserved for future use
Program name length XL1 Length of the following field
Program name CL(n) The program name

Library record - X’0060’

The following table shows the contents of the library record:

Field Size Description

Number of members 1
HL2 Count of the number of COPY/INCLUDE code members
described in this record
Library name length HL2 The length of the library name
Library volume HL2 The length of the library volume ID
length
Concatenation XL2 Concatenation number of the library
number
Library ddname HL2 The length of the library ddnam
length
Reserved CL4 Reserved for future use
Library name CL(n) The name of the library from which the COPY/INCLUDE
member was retrieved
Library volume CL(n) The volume identification of the volume where the
library resides
Library ddname CL(n) The ddname (or equivalent) used for this library
...COPY/BASIS member HL2 The library file ID of the name following
file ID2
...COPY/BASIS name HL2 The length of the name following
length
...COPY/BASIS name CL(n) The name of the COPY/BASIS member that has been used

1. If a total of 10 COPY members are retrieved from a library, the ’Number of members’
field will contain 10 and there will be 10 occurrences of the ’COPY/BASIS member file
ID’ field, the ’COPY/BASIS name length’ field, and the ’COPY/BASIS name’ field.
2. If COPY/BASIS members are retrieved from different libraries, a library record will be
written to the SYSADATA file for each unique library.

Appendix G. COBOL SYSADATA file contents 677

Statistics record - X’0090’
The following table shows the contents of the statistics record:

Field Size Description

Source records FL4 The number of source records processed
DATA DIVISION FL4 The number of data division statements processed
statements
PROCEDURE FL4 The number of procedure division statements processed
DIVISION statements
Compilation number HL2 Batch compilation number
Error severity XL1 The highest error message severity
Flags XL1
1... ....
End of Job indicator
.1.. ....
Class Definition indicator
..11 1111
Reserved for future use
EOJ severity XL1 The maximum return code for the compile job
Program name length XL1 The length of the program name
Program name CL(n) Program name

EVENTS record - X’0120’

Events records are included in the ADATA file to provide compatibility with
previous levels of the compiler.

The following table shows the contents of the EVENTS record:

Field Size Description

Header CL12 Standard ADATA record header
Record length HL2 Length of following EVENTS record data (excluding this
halfword)
EVENTS data CL(n) The EVENTS data as previously presented in the
SYSEVENT file

678 Programming Guide

Appendix H. Sample programs
This material contains information about the sample programs that are included on
your product tape:
v Overview of the programs, including program charts for two of the samples
v Format and sample of the input data
v Sample of reports produced
v Information about how to run the programs
v List of the language elements and concepts that are illustrated

Pseudocode and other comments regarding these programs are included in the
program prologue, which you can obtain in a program listing.

The sample programs in this material demonstrate many language elements and
concepts of COBOL:
v IGYTCARA is an example of using QSAM files and VSAM indexed files and
shows how to use many COBOL intrinsic functions.
v IGYTCARB is an example of using IBM Interactive System Product Facility
(ISPF).
v IGYTSALE is an example of using several of the Language Environment callable
services features.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“IGYTCARA: batch application”
“IGYTCARB: interactive program” on page 683
“IGYTSALE: nested program application” on page 686

IGYTCARA: batch application

A company with several local offices wants to establish employee carpools. This
batch application needs to perform two tasks:
v Produce reports of employees who can share rides from the same home location
to the same work location.
v Update the carpool data:
– Add data for new employees.
– Change information for participating employees.
– Delete employee records.
– List update requests that are not valid.

Using QSAM files and VSAM indexed files, this program validates transaction file
entries (sequential file processing) and updates a master file (indexed file
processing).

The following diagram shows the parts of the application and how they are
organized:

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 679

 RELATED TASKS
“Preparing to run IGYTCARA” on page 682

RELATED REFERENCES
“Input data for IGYTCARA”
“Report produced by IGYTCARA” on page 681
“Language elements and concepts that are illustrated” on page 694

Input data for IGYTCARA

As input to our program, the company collected information from interested
employees, coded the information, and produced an input file. Here is an example
of the format of the input file (spaces between fields are left out, as they would be
in your input file), with an explanation of each item below:

1. Transaction code
2. Shift

680 Programming Guide

 3. Home code
4. Work code
5. Commuter name
6. Home address
7. Home phone
8. Work phone
9. Home location code
10. Work location code
11. Driving status code

The sample below shows a section of the input file:

A10111ROBERTS AB1021 CRYSTAL COURTSAN FRANCISCOCA9990141555501904155551387H1W1D
A20212KAHN DE789 EMILY LANE SAN FRANCISCOCA9992141555518904155552589H2W2D
P48899 99ASDFG0005557890123ASDFGHJ T
R10111ROBERTS AB1221 CRYSTAL COURTSAN FRANCISCOCA9990141555501904155551387H1W1D
A20212KAHN DE789 EMILY LANE SAN FRANCISCOCA9992141555518904155552589H2W2D
D20212KAHN DE
D20212KAHN DE
A20212KAHN DE789 EMILY LANE SAN FRANCISCOCA9992141555518904155552589H2W2D
A10111BONNICK FD1025 FIFTH AVENUE SAN FRANCISCOCA9990541555595904155557895H8W3
A10111PETERSON SW435 THIRD AVENUE SAN FRANCISCOCA9990541555546904155553717H3W4
. . .

Report produced by IGYTCARA

The following sample shows the first page of the output report produced by
IGYTCARA. Your actual output might vary slightly in appearance, depending on
your system.

Appendix H. Sample programs 681

 Preparing to run IGYTCARA
All the files required by the IGYTCARA program are supplied on the product
installation tape. These files (IGYTCARA, IGYTCODE, and IGYTRANX) are located
in the IGY.V3R2M0.SIGYSAMP data set.

Data set and procedure names can be changed at installation time. You should
check with your system programmer to verify these names.

Do not change these options on the CBL statement in the source file for
IGYTCARA:
NOADV
NODYNAM
NONAME
NONUMBER
QUOTE
SEQUENCE

With these options in effect, the program will not cause any diagnostic messages to
be issued. You can use the sequence number string in the source file to search for
the language elements used.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“IGYTCARA: batch application” on page 679

RELATED TASKS
“Running IGYTCARA”

RELATED REFERENCES
“Input data for IGYTCARA” on page 680
“Report produced by IGYTCARA” on page 681
“Language elements and concepts that are illustrated” on page 694

Running IGYTCARA
The procedure provided here does a combined compile, link-edit, and run of the
IGYTCARA program. If you want only to compile or only to compile and link-edit
the program, you need to change the IGYWCLG cataloged procedure.

To run IGYTCARA under z/OS, use JCL to define a VSAM cluster and compile the
program. Insert the information specific to your system and installation in the
fields that are shown in lowercase letters (accounting information, volume serial
number, unit name, cluster prefix). These examples use the name
IGYTCAR.MASTFILE; you can use another name if you want to.
1. Use this JCL to create the required VSAM cluster:
//CREATE JOB (acct-info),’IGYTCAR CREATE VSAM’,MSGLEVEL=(1,1),
// TIME=(0,29)
//CREATE EXEC PGM=IDCAMS
//VOL1 DD VOL=SER=your-volume-serial,UNIT=your-unit,DISP=SHR
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=A
//SYSIN DD *
DELETE your-prefix.IGYTCAR.MASTFILE -
FILE(VOL1) -
PURGE
DEFINE CLUSTER -
(NAME(your-prefix.IGYTCAR.MASTFILE) -
VOLUME(your-volume-serial) -
FILE(VOL1) -
INDEXED -

682 Programming Guide

 RECSZ(80 80) -
KEYS(16 0) -
CYLINDERS(2))
/*

To remove any existing cluster, a DELETE is issued before the VSAM cluster is
created.
2. Use the following JCL to compile, link-edit, and run the IGYTCARA program:
//IGYTCARA JOB (acct-info),’IGYTCAR’,MSGLEVEL=(1,1),TIME=(0,29)
//TEST EXEC IGYWCLG
//COBOL.SYSLIB DD DSN=IGY.V3R2M0.SIGYSAMP,DISP=SHR
//COBOL.SYSIN DD DSN=IGY.V3R2M0.SIGYSAMP(IGYTCARA),DISP=SHR
//GO.SYSOUT DD SYSOUT=A
//GO.COMMUTR DD DSN=your-prefix.IGYTCAR.MASTFILE,DISP=SHR
//GO.LOCCODE DD DSN=IGY.V3R2M0.SIGYSAMP(IGYTCODE),DISP=SHR
//GO.UPDTRANS DD DSN=IGY.V3R2M0.SIGYSAMP(IGYTRANX),DISP=SHR
//GO.UPDPRINT DD SYSOUT=A,DCB=BLKSIZE=133
//

RELATED TASKS
Chapter 10, “Processing VSAM files” on page 147

RELATED REFERENCES
“Compile, link-edit, and run procedure (IGYWCLG)” on page 241

IGYTCARB: interactive program

The IGYTCARB program contains an interactive program for entering the carpool
data through a screen, using IBM Interactive System Productivity Facility (ISPF) to
invoke Dialog Manager and Enterprise COBOL. It creates a file that could be used
as input for a carpool listing or matching program such as IGYTCARA.

The input data for IGYTCARB is the same as that for IGYTCARA. IGYTCARB lets
you append to the information in your input file by using an ISPF panel. An
example of the panel used by IGYTCARB is shown below:

RELATED TASKS
“Preparing to run IGYTCARB” on page 684

Appendix H. Sample programs 683

 Preparing to run IGYTCARB
Run IGYTCARB using Interactive System Productivity Facility (ISPF).

All the files required by the IGYTCARB program are supplied on the product
installation tape. These files (IGYTCARB, IGYTRANB, and IGYTPNL) are located
in the IGY.V3R2M0.SIGYSAMP data set.

Data set and procedure names can be changed at installation time. Check with
your system programmer to verify these names.

Do not change these options on the CBL card in the source file for IGYTCARB:
NONUMBER
QUOTE
SEQUENCE

With these options in effect, the program will not cause any diagnostic messages to
be issued. You can use the sequence number string in the source file to search for
language elements.

RELATED CONCEPTS
“IGYTCARB: interactive program” on page 683

RELATED TASKS
“Running IGYTCARB”

RELATED REFERENCES
“Language elements and concepts that are illustrated” on page 694

Running IGYTCARB
The following procedure does a combined compile, link-edit, and run of the
IGYTCARB program. If you want only to compile or only to compile and link-edit
the program, you need to change the procedure.

To run IGYTCARB under z/OS, do the following steps:

1. Using the ISPF editor, change the ISPF/PDF Primary Option Panel (ISR@PRIM)
or some other panel to include the IGYTCARB invocation. Panel ISR@PRIM is
in your site’s PDF panel data set (normally ISRPLIB).
The following example shows an ISR@PRIM panel modified, in two identified
locations, to include the IGYTCARB invocation. If you add or change an option
in the upper portion of the panel definition, you must also add or change the
corresponding line on the lower portion of the panel.
%---------------------- ISPF/PDF PRIMARY OPTION PANEL ------------------------
%OPTION ===>_ZCMD +
% +USERID - &ZUSER
% 0 +ISPF PARMS - Specify terminal and user parameters +TIME - &ZTIME
% 1 +BROWSE - Display source data or output listings +TERMINAL - &ZTERM
% 2 +EDIT - Create or change source data +PF KEYS - &ZKEYS
% 3 +UTILITIES - Perform utility functions
% 4 +FOREGROUND - Invoke language processors in foreground
% 5 +BATCH - Submit to batch for language processing
% 6 +COMMAND - Enter TSO or Workstation commands
% 7 +DIALOG TEST - Perform dialog testing
% 8 +LM UTILITIES- Perform library management utility functions
% C +IGYTCARB - Run IGYTCARB UPDATE TRANSACTION PROGRAM (1)
% T +TUTORIAL - Display information about ISPF/PDF
% X +EXIT - Terminate using console, log, and list defaults
%
%

684 Programming Guide

 +Enter%END+command to terminate ISPF.
%
)INIT
.HELP = ISR00003
&ZPRIM = YES /* ALWAYS A PRIMARY OPTION MENU */
&ZHTOP = ISR00003 /* TUTORIAL TABLE OF CONTENTS */
&ZHINDEX = ISR91000 /* TUTORIAL INDEX - 1ST PAGE */
VPUT (ZHTOP,ZHINDEX) PROFILE
)PROC
&Z1 = TRUNC(&ZCMD,1)
IF (&Z1 &notsym.= ’.’)
&ZSEL = TRANS( TRUNC (&ZCMD,’.’)
0,’PANEL(ISPOPTA)’
1,’PGM(ISRBRO) PARM(ISRBRO01)’
2,’PGM(ISREDIT) PARM(P,ISREDM01)’
3,’PANEL(ISRUTIL)’
4,’PANEL(ISRFPA)’
5,’PGM(ISRJB1) PARM(ISRJPA) NOCHECK’
6,’PGM(ISRPCC)’
7,’PGM(ISRYXDR) NOCHECK’
8,’PANEL(ISRLPRIM)’
C,’PGM(IGYTCARB)’ (2)
T,’PGM(ISPTUTOR) PARM(ISR00000)’
’ ’,’ ’
X,’EXIT’
*,’?’ )
&ZTRAIL = .TRAIL
IF (&Z1 = ’.’) .msg = ISPD141
)END

As indicated by (1) in this example, you add IGYTCARB to the upper portion
of the panel by entering:
% C +IGYTCARB - Run IGYTCARB UPDATE TRANSACTION PROGRAM

You add the corresponding line on the lower portion of the panel, indicated by
(2), by entering:
C,’PGM(IGYTCARB)’
2. Place ISR@PRIM (or your other modified panel) and IGYTPNL in a library and
make this library the first library in the ISPPLIB concatenation.
3. Comment sequence line IB2200 and uncomment sequence line IB2210 in
IGYTCARB. (The OPEN EXTEND verb is supported under z/OS.)
4. Compile and link-edit IGYTCARB and place the resulting load module in your
LOADLIB.
5. Allocate ISPLLIB using the following command:
ALLOCATE FILE(ISPLLIB) DATASET(DSN1, SYS1.COBLIB, DSN2) SHR REUSE

Here DSN1 is the library name of the LOADLIB from step 4. DSN2 is your
installed ISPLLIB.
6. Allocate the input and output data sets using the following command:
ALLOCATE FILE(UPDTRANS) DA(’IGY.V3R2M0.SIGYSAMP(IGYTRANB)) SHR REUSE
7. Allocate ISPPLIB using the following command:
ALLOCATE FILE(ISPPLIB) DATASET(DSN3, DSN4) SHR REUSE

Here DSN3 is the library containing the modified panels. DSN4 is the ISPF panel
library.
8. Invoke IGYTCARB using your modified panel.

Appendix H. Sample programs 685

 RELATED REFERENCES
ISPF Dialog Developer’s Guide and Reference

IGYTSALE: nested program application

A sporting goods distributor wants to track product sales and sales commissions.
This nested program application needs to perform the following tasks:
1. Keep a record of the product line, customers, and number of salespeople. This
data is stored in a file called IGYTABLE.
2. Maintain a file that records valid transactions and transaction errors. All
transactions that are not valid are flagged, and the results are printed in a
report. Transactions to be processed are in a file called IGYTRANA.
3. Process transactions and report sales by location.
4. Record an individual’s sales performance and commission and print the results
in a report.
5. Report the sale and shipment dates in local time and UTC (Universal Time
Coordinate), respectively, and calculate the response time.

The following diagram shows the parts of the application as a hierarchy:

The following diagram shows how the parts are nested:

686 Programming Guide

 RELATED TASKS
“Preparing to run IGYTSALE” on page 693

RELATED REFERENCES
“Input data for IGYTSALE”
“Reports produced by IGYTSALE” on page 689
“Language elements and concepts that are illustrated” on page 694

Input data for IGYTSALE

As input to our program, the distributor collected information about its customers,
salespeople, and products, coded the information, and produced an input file. This
input file, called IGYTABLE, is loaded into three separate tables for use during
transaction processing. The format of the file is as follows, with an explanation of
the items below:

1. Record type
2. Customer code
3. Customer name
4. Product code

Appendix H. Sample programs 687

 5. Product description
6. Product unit price
7. Salesperson number
8. Salesperson name
9. Date of hire
10. Commission rate

The value of field 1 (C, P, or S) determines the format of the input record. The
following sample shows a section of IGYTABLE:
S1111Edyth Phillips 062484042327
S1122Chuck Morgan 052780084425
S1133Art Tung 022882061728
S1144Billy Jim Bob 010272121150
S1155Chris Preston 122083053377
S1166Al Willie Roz 111276100000
P01Footballs 0000620
P02Football Equipment 0032080
P03Football Uniform 0004910
P04Basketballs 0002220
P05Basketball Rim/Board0008830
P06Basketball Uniform 0004220
C01L. A. Sports
C02Gear Up
C03Play Outdoors
C04Sports 4 You
C05Sports R US
C06Stay Active
C07Sport Shop
C08Stay Sporty
C09Hot Sports
C10The Sportsman
C11Playing Ball
C12Sports Play
. . .

In addition, the distributor collected information about sales transactions. Each

transaction represents an individual salesperson’s sales to a particular customer.
The customer can purchase from one to five items during each transaction. The
transaction information is coded and put into an input file, called IGYTRANA. The
format of this file is as follows, with an explanation of the items below:

1. Sales order number

2. Invoiced items (number of different items ordered)
3. Date of sale (year month day hour minutes seconds)
4. Sales area
5. Salesperson number
6. Customer code
7. Date of shipment (year month day hour minutes seconds)
8. Product code
9. Quantity sold

688 Programming Guide

 Fields 8 and 9 occur one to eight times depending on the number of different items
ordered (field 2). The following sample shows a section of IGYTRANA:
A00001119900227010101CNTRL VALLEY11442019900228259999
A00004119900310100530CNTRL VALLEY11441019900403150099
A00005119900418222409CNTRL VALLEY11441219900419059900
A00006119900523151010CNTRL VALLEY11442019900623250004
419990324591515SAN DIEGO 11615 60200132200110522045100
B11114419901111003301SAN DIEGO 11661519901114260200132200110522041100
A00007119901115003205CNTRL VALLEY11332019901117120023
C00125419900118101527SF BAY AREA 11331519900120160200112200250522145111
B11116419901201132013SF BAY AREA 11331519901203060200102200110522045102
B11117319901201070833SAN Diego 1165661990120333020o132200120522041100
B11118419901221191544SAN DIEGO 11661419901223160200142200130522040300
B11119419901210211544SAN DIEGO 11221219901214060200152200160522050500
B11120419901212000816SAN DIEGO 11220419901213150200052200160522040100
B11121419901201131544SAN DIEGO 11330219901203120200112200140522250100
B11122419901112073312SAN DIEGO 11221019901113100200162200260522250100
B11123919901110123314SAN DIEGO 11660919901114260200270500110522250100140010
B11124219901313510000SAN DIEGO 116611 1 0200042200120a22141100
B11125419901215012510SAN DIEGO 11661519901216110200162200130522141111
B11126119901111000034SAN DIEGO 11331619901113260022
B11127119901110154100SAN DIEGO 11221219901113122000
B11128419901110175001SAN DIEGO 11661519901113260200132200160521041104
. . .

Reports produced by IGYTSALE

The following figures are samples of IGYTSALE output. The program records the
following data in reports:
v Transaction errors
v Sales by product and area
v Individual sales performance and commissions
v Response time between the sale date and the date the sold products are shipped

Your output might vary slightly in appearance, depending on your system.

“Example: IGYTSALE transaction errors” on page 690

“Example: IGYTSALE sales analysis by product by area” on page 691
“Example: IGYTSALE sales and commissions” on page 692
“Example: IGYTSALE response time from sale to ship” on page 693

Appendix H. Sample programs 689

 Example: IGYTSALE transaction errors
The following sample of IGYTSALE output shows transaction errors in the last
column.

690 Programming Guide

Example: IGYTSALE sales analysis by product by area
The following sample of IGYTSALE output shows sales by product and area.

Appendix H. Sample programs 691

 Example: IGYTSALE sales and commissions
The following sample of IGYTSALE output shows sales performance and
commissions by salesperson.

692 Programming Guide

 Example: IGYTSALE response time from sale to ship
The following sample of IGYTSALE output shows response time between the sale
date in the United States and the date the sold products are shipped to Europe.

Preparing to run IGYTSALE

All the files required by the IGYTSALE program are supplied on the product
installation tape. These files (IGYTSALE, IGYTCRC, IGYTPRC, IGYTSRC,
IGYTABLE, IGYTRANA) are located in the IGY.V3R2M0.SIGYSAMP data set.

Data set and procedure names can be changed at installation time. Check with
your system programmer to verify these names.

Do not change these options on the CBL card in the source file for IGYTSALE:
LIB
NONUMBER
SEQUENCE
NONUMBER
QUOTE

With these options in effect, the program might not cause any diagnostic messages
to be issued. You can use the sequence number string in the source file to search
for the language elements used.

When you run IGYTSALE, the following messages are printed to the SYSOUT data
set:
Program IGYTSALE Begins
There were 00041 records processed in this program
Program IGYTSALE Normal End

RELATED CONCEPTS
“IGYTSALE: nested program application” on page 686

Appendix H. Sample programs 693

 RELATED TASKS
“Running IGYTSALE”

RELATED REFERENCES
“Input data for IGYTSALE” on page 687
“Reports produced by IGYTSALE” on page 689
“Language elements and concepts that are illustrated”

Running IGYTSALE
The following procedure does a combined compile, link-edit, and run of the
IGYTSALE program. If you want only to compile or only to compile and link-edit
the program, you need to change the IGYWCLG cataloged procedure.

Use the following JCL to compile, link-edit, and run the IGYTSALE program.
Insert the information for your system or installation in the fields that are shown
in lowercase letters (accounting information).
//IGYTSALE JOB (acct-info),’IGYTSALE’,MSGLEVEL=(1,1),TIME=(0,29)
//TEST EXEC IGYWCLG
//COBOL.SYSLIB DD DSN=IGY.V3R2M0.SIGYSAMP,DISP=SHR
//COBOL.SYSIN DD DSN=IGY.V3R2M0.SIGYSAMP(IGYTSALE),DISP=SHR
//GO.SYSOUT DD SYSOUT=A
//GO.IGYTABLE DD DSN=IGY.V3R2M0.SIGYSAMP(IGYTABLE),DISP=SHR
//GO.IGYTRANS DD DSN=IGY.V3R2M0.SIGYSAMP(IGYTRANA),DISP=SHR
//GO.IGYPRINT DD SYSOUT=A,DCB=BLKSIZE=133
//GO.IGYPRT2 DD SYSOUT=A,DCB=BLKSIZE=133
//

Language elements and concepts that are illustrated

To find the applicable language element for a sample program, locate the
abbreviation for that program in the sequence string:

Sample program Abbreviation

IGYTCARA IA
IGYTCARB IB
IGYTSALE IS

The following table lists the language elements and programming concepts that the
sample programs illustrate. The language element or concept is described, and the
sequence string is shown. The sequence string is the special character string that
appears in the sequence field of the source file. You can use this string as a search
argument for locating the elements in the listing.

Language element or concept Sequence string

ACCEPT . . . FROM DAY-OF-WEEK IS0900
ACCEPT . . . FROM DATE IS0901
ACCEPT . . . FROM TIME IS0902
ADD . . . TO IS4550
AFTER ADVANCING IS2700
AFTER PAGE IS2600
ALL IS4200
ASSIGN IS1101
AUTHOR IA0040

694 Programming Guide

Language element or concept Sequence string
CALL IS0800
Callable services (Language Environment)
CEEDATM - format date or time output IS0875, IS2575
CEEDCOD - feedback code check from service call IS0905
CEEGMTO - UTC offset from local time IS0904
CEELOCT - local date and time IS0850
CEESECS - convert timestamp to seconds IS2350, IS2550
CLOSE files IS1900
Comma, semicolon, and space interchangeable IS3500, IS3600
COMMON statement for nested programs IS4600
Complex OCCURS DEPENDING ON IS0700, IS3700
COMPUTE IS4501
COMPUTE ROUNDED IS4500
CONFIGURATION SECTION IA0970
CONFIGURATION SECTION (optional) IS0200
CONTINUE statement IA5310, IA5380
COPY statement IS0500
DATA DIVISION (optional) IS5100
Data validation IA5130-6190
Do-until (PERFORM . . . TEST AFTER) IA4900-5010, IA7690-7770
Do-while (PERFORM . . . TEST BEFORE) IS1660
END-ADD IS2900
END-COMPUTE IS4510
END-EVALUATE IA6590, IS2450
END-IF IS1680
END-MULTIPLY IS3100
END-PERFORM IS1700
END PROGRAM IA9990
END-READ IS1800
END-SEARCH IS3400
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION (optional) IS0200
Error handling, termination of program IA4620, IA5080, IA7800-7980
EVALUATE statement IA6270-6590
EVALUATE . . . ALSO IS2400
EXIT PROGRAM not only statement in paragraph IS2000
Exponentiation IS4500
EXTERNAL clause IS1200
FILE-CONTROL entry for sequential file IA1190-1300
FILE-CONTROL entry for VSAM indexed file IA1070-1180
FILE SECTION (optional) IS0200
FILE STATUS code check IA4600-4630, IA4760-4790
FILLER (optional) IS0400

Appendix H. Sample programs 695

 Language element or concept Sequence string
Flags, level-88, definition IA1730-1800, IA2440-2480, IA2710
Flags, level-88, testing IA4430, IA5200-5250
FLOATING POINT IS4400
GLOBAL statement IS0300
INITIAL statement for nested programs IS2300
INITIALIZE IS2500
Initializing a table in the DATA DIVISION IA2920-4260
Inline PERFORM statement IA4410-4520
I-O-CONTROL paragraphs (optional) IS0200
INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION (optional) IS0200
Intrinsic functions:
CURRENT-DATE IA9005
MAX IA9235
MEAN IA9215
MEDIAN IA9220
MIN IA9240
STANDARD-DEVIATION IA9230
UPPER-CASE IA9015
VARIANCE IA9225
WHEN-COMPILED IA9000
IS (optional in all clauses) IS0700
LABEL RECORDS (optional) IS1150
LINKAGE SECTION IS4900
Mixing of indexes and subscripts IS3500
Mnemonic names IA1000
MOVE IS0903
MOVE CORRESPONDING statement IA4810, IA4830
MULTIPLY . . . GIVING IS3000
Nested IF statement, using END-IF IA5460-5830
Nested program IS1000
NEXT SENTENCE IS4300
NOT AT END IS1600
NULL IS4800
OBJECT-COMPUTER (optional) IS0200
OCCURS DEPENDING ON IS0710
ODO uses maximum length for receiving item IS1550
OPEN EXTEND IB2210
OPEN INPUT IS1400
OPEN OUTPUT IS1500
ORGANIZATION (optional) IS1100
Page eject IA7180-7210
Parenthesis in abbreviated conditions IS4850
PERFORM . . . WITH TEST AFTER (Do-until) IA4900-5010, IA7690-7770

696 Programming Guide

Language element or concept Sequence string
PERFORM . . . WITH TEST BEFORE (Do-while) IS1660
PERFORM . . . UNTIL IS5000
PERFORM . . . VARYING statement IA7690-7770
POINTER function IS4700
Print file FD entry IA1570-1620
Print report IA7100-7360
PROCEDURE DIVISION . . . USING IB1320-IB1650
PROGRAM-ID (30 characters allowed) IS0120
READ . . . INTO . . . AT END IS1550
REDEFINES statement IA1940, IA2060, IA2890, IA3320
Reference modification IS2425
Relational operator <= (less than or equal) IS4400
Relational operator >= (greater than or equal) IS2425
Relative subscripting IS4000
REPLACE IS4100
SEARCH statement IS3300
SELECT IS1100
Sequence number can contain any character IA, IB, IS
Sequential file processing IA4480-4510, IA4840-4870
Sequential table search, using PERFORM IA7690-7770
Sequential table search, using SEARCH IA5270-5320, IA5340-5390
SET INDEX IS3200
SET . . . TO TRUE statement IA4390, IA4500, IA4860, IA4980
SOURCE-COMPUTER (optional) IS0200
SPECIAL-NAMES paragraph (optional) IS0200
STRING statement IA6950, IA7050
Support for lowercase letters IS0100
TALLY IS1650
TITLE statement for nested programs IS0100
Update commuter record IA6200-6610
Update transaction work value spaces IB0790-IB1000
USAGE BINARY IS1300
USAGE PACKED-DECIMAL IS1301
Validate elements IB0810, IB0860, IB1000
VALUE with OCCURS IS0600
VALUE SPACE (S) IS0601
VALUE ZERO (S) (ES) IS0600
Variable-length table control variable IA5100
Variable-length table definition IA2090-2210
Variable-length table loading IA4840-4990
VSAM indexed file key definition IA1170

Appendix H. Sample programs 697

 Language element or concept Sequence string
VSAM return-code display IA7800-7900
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION IS0250

698 Programming Guide

Notices
This information was developed for products and services offered in the U.S.A.
IBM may not offer the products, services, or features discussed in this document in
other countries. Consult your local IBM representative for information on the
products and services currently available in your area. Any reference to an IBM
product, program, or service is not intended to state or imply that only that IBM
product, program, or service may be used. Any functionally equivalent product,
program, or service that does not infringe any IBM intellectual property right may
be used instead. However, it is the user’s responsibility to evaluate and verify the
operation of any non-IBM product, program, or service.

IBM may have patents or pending patent applications covering subject matter
described in this document. The furnishing of this document does not give you
any license to these patents. You can send license inquiries, in writing, to:
IBM Corporation
J46A/G4
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San Jose, CA 95141-1003
U.S.A.

For license inquiries regarding double-byte (DBCS) information, contact the IBM
Intellectual Property Department in your country or send inquiries, in writing, to:
IBM World Trade Asia Corporation
Licensing
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Tokyo 106, Japan

The following paragraph does not apply to the United Kingdom or any other
country where such provisions are inconsistent with local law:
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION PROVIDES THIS
PUBLICATION “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Some states do not allow disclaimer of express or
implied warranties in certain transactions, therefore, this statement may not apply
to you.

This information could include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors.

Changes are periodically made to the information herein; these changes will be
incorporated in new editions of the publication. IBM may make improvements
and/or changes in the product(s) and/or the program(s) described in this
publication at any time without notice.

Any references in this publication to non-IBM Web sites are provided for
convenience only and do not in any manner serve as an endorsement of those Web
sites. The materials at those Web sites are not part of the materials for this IBM
product and use of those Web sites is at your own risk.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 699

Trademarks
The following terms are trademarks of International Business Machines
Corporation in the United States, or other countries, or both:

AIX
CICS
CICS/ESA
COBOL/370
DB2
DFSMS
DFSORT
IBM
IMS
IMS/ESA
Language Environment
MVS
OS/390
RACF
System/390
VisualAge
WebSphere
z/OS

Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation in the United States and/or

other countries.

Java and all Java-based trademarks are trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the
United States, other countries, or both.

Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in

the United States and/or other countries.

Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation in the United States and/or

other countries.

Unicode™ is a trademark of the Unicode® Consortium.

UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group in the United States and other
countries.

Other company, product or service names may be the trademarks or service marks
of others.

If you are viewing this information in softcopy, the photographs and color
illustrations may not appear.

700 Programming Guide

Glossary
The terms in this glossary are defined in * actual decimal point. The physical representation,
accordance with their meaning in COBOL. These using the decimal point characters period (.) or comma
terms might or might not have the same meaning (,), of the decimal point position in a data item.
in other languages.
advanced program-to-program communication
(APPC). A communications protocol between the
This glossary includes terms and definitions from workstation and the host. CICS, IMS, and
the following publications: SMARTdataUtilities for remote development use the
v American National Standard ANSI INCITS APPC communications protocol.
23-1985, Programming languages - COBOL, as
* alphabet-name. A user-defined word, in the
amended by ANSI INCITS 23a-1989,
SPECIAL-NAMES paragraph of the ENVIRONMENT DIVISION,
Programming Languages - COBOL - Intrinsic that assigns a name to a specific character set or
Function Module for COBOL, and ANSI INCITS collating sequence or both.
23b-1993, Programming Languages - Correction
Amendment for COBOL * alphabetic character. A letter or a space character.
v ANSI X3.172-1990, American National Standard * alphanumeric character. Any character in the
Dictionary for Information Systems character set of the computer.

Copies can be purchased from the American alphanumeric-edited character. A character within an
National Standards Institute, 25 West 43rd Street, alphanumeric character string that contains at least one
New York, New York 10036. B, 0 (zero), or / (slash).

* alphanumeric function. A function whose value is

American National Standard definitions are composed of a string of one or more characters from
preceded by an asterisk (*). the character set of the computer.

This glossary includes definitions developed by alphanumeric item. A data item that is described with
Sun Microsystems, Inc. for their Java and J2EE USAGE DISPLAY and a PICTURE character-string that
glossaries. When Sun is the source of a definition, includes the symbol X.
that is indicated.
alphanumeric literal. A literal that has an opening
delimiter from the following set: ’, “, X’, X”, Z’, or Z“.
A The string of characters can include any character in
the character set of the computer.
* abbreviated combined relation condition. The
combined condition that results from the explicit * alternate record key. A key, other than the prime
omission of a common subject or a common subject record key, whose contents identify a record within an
and common relational operator in a consecutive indexed file.
sequence of relation conditions.
ANSI (American National Standards Institute). An
abend. Abnormal termination of a program. organization that consists of producers, consumers, and
general-interest groups and establishes the procedures
above the 16-MB line. Storage above the so-called by which accredited organizations create and maintain
16-MB line (or boundary) but below the 2-GB bar. This voluntary industry standards in the United States.
storage is addressable only in 31-bit mode. Before IBM
introduced the MVS/XA architecture in the 1980s, the APPC. See advanced program-to-program communication
virtual storage for a program was limited to 16 MB. (APPC).
Programs that have been compiled with a 24-bit mode
* argument. An identifier, a literal, an arithmetic
can address only 16 MB of space, as though they were
expression, or a function-identifier that specifies a value
kept under an imaginary storage line. Since VS COBOL
to be used in the evaluation of a function.
II, a program that has been compiled with a 31-bit
mode can be above the 16-MB line. * arithmetic expression. An identifier of a numeric
elementary item, a numeric literal, such identifiers and
* access mode. The manner in which records are to be
literals separated by arithmetic operators, two
operated upon within a file.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 701

arithmetic expressions separated by an arithmetic when the number of significant digits in the relative
operator, or an arithmetic expression enclosed in record number is larger than the size of the relative
parentheses. key data item, or when an optional input file is not
present.
* arithmetic operation. The process caused by the
v A RETURN statement runs when no next logical record
execution of an arithmetic statement, or the evaluation
exists for the associated sort or merge file.
of an arithmetic expression, that results in a
mathematically correct solution to the arguments v A SEARCH statement runs when the search operation
presented. terminates without satisfying the condition specified
in any of the associated WHEN phrases.
* arithmetic operator. A single character, or a fixed
two-character combination that belongs to the following
set:
B
Character Meaning big-endian. The default format that the mainframe
and the AIX workstation use to store binary data. In
+ Addition
this format, the least significant digit is on the highest
- Subtraction
address. Compare with little-endian.
* Multiplication
/ Division binary item. A numeric data item that is represented
** Exponentiation in binary notation (on the base 2 numbering system).
The decimal equivalent consists of the decimal digits 0
through 9, plus an operational sign. The leftmost bit of
* arithmetic statement. A statement that causes an the item is the operational sign.
arithmetic operation to be executed. The arithmetic
statements are ADD, COMPUTE, DIVIDE, MULTIPLY, and binary search. A dichotomizing search in which, at
SUBTRACT. each step of the search, the set of data elements is
divided by two; some appropriate action is taken in the
array. In Language Environment, an aggregate that case of an odd number.
consists of data objects, each of which can be uniquely
referenced by subscripting. An array is roughly * block. A physical unit of data that is normally
analogous to a COBOL table. composed of one or more logical records. For mass
storage files, a block can contain a portion of a logical
* ascending key. A key upon the values of which data record. The size of a block has no direct relationship to
is ordered, starting with the lowest value of the key up the size of the file within which the block is contained
to the highest value of the key, in accordance with the or to the size of the logical records that are either
rules for comparing data items. contained within the block or that overlap the block.
Synonymous with physical record.
ASCII. American National Standard Code for
Information Interchange. The standard code uses a breakpoint. A place in a computer program, usually
coded character set that is based on 7-bit coded specified by an instruction, where external intervention
characters (8 bits including parity check). The standard or a monitor program can interrupt the program as it
is used for information interchange between data runs.
processing systems, data communication systems, and
associated equipment. The ASCII set consists of control Btrieve file system. A key-indexed record
characters and graphic characters. management system that allows applications to manage
Extension: IBM has defined an extension to ASCII code records by key value, sequential access method, or
(characters 128-255). random access method. IBM COBOL supports COBOL
sequential and indexed file input-output language
assignment-name. A name that identifies the through Btrieve (available from Pervasive Software).
organization of a COBOL file and the name by which it You can use the Btrieve file system to access files
is known to the system. created by VisualAge CICS Enterprise Application
Development.
* assumed decimal point. A decimal point position
that does not involve the existence of an actual buffer. A portion of storage that is used to hold input
character in a data item. The assumed decimal point or output data temporarily.
has logical meaning but no physical representation.
built-in function. See intrinsic function.
* AT END condition. A condition that is caused during
the execution of a READ, RETURN, or SEARCH statement business method. A method of an enterprise bean that
under certain conditions: implements the business logic or rules of an
application. (Sun)
v A READ statement runs on a sequentially accessed file
when no next logical record exists in the file, or

702 Programming Guide

byte. A string that consists of a certain number of bits, character set. A collection of elements that are used to
usually eight, treated as a unit, and representing a represent textual information, but for which no coded
character. representation is assumed. See also coded character set.

bytecode. Machine-independent code that is generated character string. A sequence of contiguous characters
by the Java compiler and executed by the Java that form a COBOL word, a literal, a PICTURE character
interpreter. (Sun) string, or a comment-entry. A character string must be
delimited by separators.
C checkpoint. A point at which information about the
status of a job and the system can be recorded so that
callable services. In Language Environment, a set of the job step can be restarted later.
services that a COBOL program can invoke by using
the conventional Language Environment-defined call * class. The entity that defines common behavior and
interface. All programs that share the Language implementation for zero, one, or more objects. The
Environment conventions can use these services. objects that share the same implementation are
considered to be objects of the same class. Classes can
called program. A program that is the object of a CALL be defined hierarchically, allowing one class to inherit
statement. At run time the called program and calling from another.
program are combined to produce a run unit.
* class condition. The proposition (for which a truth
* calling program. A program that executes a CALL to value can be determined) that the content of an item is
another program. wholly alphabetic, is wholly numeric, or consists
exclusively of the characters that are listed in the
case structure. A program-processing logic in which a
definition of a class-name.
series of conditions is tested in order to choose between
a number of resulting actions. * class definition. The COBOL source unit that
defines a class.
cataloged procedure. A set of job control statements
that are placed in a partitioned data set called the class hierarchy. A tree-like structure that shows
procedure library (SYS1.PROCLIB). You can use relationships among object classes. It places one class at
cataloged procedures to save time and reduce errors in the top and one or more layers of classes below it.
coding JCL. Synonymous with inheritance hierarchy.
CCSID. See coded character set identifier. * class identification entry. An entry in the CLASS-ID
paragraph of the IDENTIFICATION DIVISION; this entry
century window. A century window is a 100-year
contains clauses that specify the class-name and assign
interval within which any two-digit year is unique.
selected attributes to the class definition.
Several types of century window are available to
COBOL programmers: class library. A collection of classes.
v For windowed date fields, you use the YEARWINDOW
compiler option. class-name (object-oriented). The name of an
object-oriented COBOL class definition.
v For the windowing intrinsic functions
DATE-TO-YYYYMMDD, DAY-TO-YYYYDDD, and * class-name (of data). A user-defined word that is
YEAR-TO-YYYY, you specify the century window with defined in the SPECIAL-NAMES paragraph of the
argument-2. ENVIRONMENT DIVISION; this word assigns a name to the
v For Language Environment callable services, you proposition (for which a truth value can be defined)
specify the century window in CEESCEN. that the content of a data item consists exclusively of
the characters that are listed in the definition of the
* character. The basic indivisible unit of the language. class-name.
character encoding unit. A unit of computer memory class object. The run-time object representing a class.
that is used to represent characters. One or more
character encoding units are used to represent a * clause. An ordered set of consecutive COBOL
character in a coded character set. Also known as character strings whose purpose is to specify an
encoding unit. attribute of an entry.

character position. The amount of physical storage client. In object-oriented programming, a program or
required to store a single standard data format method that requests services from one or more
character described as USAGE IS DISPLAY. methods in a class.

* COBOL character set. The set of characters used in

writing COBOL syntax. The complete COBOL character

Glossary 703
set consists of the characters listed below: * combined condition. A condition that is the result of
connecting two or more conditions with the AND or the
Character Meaning OR logical operator. See also condition and negated
0,1, . . . ,9 Digit combined condition.
A,B, . . . ,Z Uppercase letter
a,b, . . . ,z Lowercase letter * comment-entry. An entry in the IDENTIFICATION
Space DIVISION that can be any combination of characters
from the character set of the computer.
+ Plus sign
- Minus sign (hyphen) * comment line. A source program line represented by
* Asterisk an asterisk (*) in the indicator area of the line and any
/ Slant (virgule, slash) characters from the character set of the computer in
= Equal sign area A and area B of that line. The comment line serves
$ Currency sign only for documentation in a program. A special form of
, Comma (decimal point) comment line represented by a slant (/) in the indicator
; Semicolon area of the line and any characters from the character
. Period (decimal point, full stop) set of the computer in area A and area B of that line
causes page ejection before printing the comment.
” Quotation mark
( Left parenthesis * common program. A program that, despite being
) Right parenthesis directly contained within another program, can be
> Greater than symbol called from any program directly or indirectly
< Less than symbol contained in that other program.
: Colon
compatible date field. The meaning of the term
compatible, when applied to date fields, depends on the
* COBOL word. See word. COBOL division in which the usage occurs:
v DATA DIVISION
code page. An assignment of graphic characters and Two date fields are compatible if they have identical
control function meanings to all code points. For USAGE and meet at least one of the following
example, one code page could assign characters and conditions:
meanings to 256 code points for 8-bit code, and another
code page could assign characters and meanings to 128 – They have the same date format.
code points for 7-bit code. For example, one of the IBM – Both are windowed date fields, where one consists
code pages for English on the workstation is IBM-850 only of a windowed year, DATE FORMAT YY.
and on the host is IBM-1047. A coded character set. – Both are expanded date fields, where one consists
only of an expanded year, DATE FORMAT YYYY.
code point. A unique bit pattern that is defined in a
coded character set (code page). Code points are – One has DATE FORMAT YYXXXX, and the other has
assigned to graphic characters in a coded character set. YYXX.
– One has DATE FORMAT YYYYXXXX, and the other has
coded character set. A set of unambiguous rules that YYYYXX.
establish a character set and the relationship between
the characters of the set and their coded representation. A windowed date field can be subordinate to a data
Examples of coded character sets are the character sets item that is an expanded date group. The two date
as represented by ASCII or EBCDIC code pages or by fields are compatible if the subordinate date field has
the UTF-16 encoding scheme for Unicode. USAGE DISPLAY, starts two bytes after the start of the
group expanded date field, and the two fields meet
coded character set identifier (CCSID). A number in at least one of the following conditions:
the range 1 to 65,535 that includes a specific set of
identifiers for the encoding scheme, character set, and – The subordinate date field has a DATE FORMAT
code page, and other information that uniquely pattern with the same number of Xs as the DATE
identifies the coded graphic character representation. FORMAT pattern of the group date field.
– The subordinate date field has DATE FORMAT YY.
* collating sequence. The sequence in which the – The group date field has DATE FORMAT YYYYXXXX
characters that are acceptable to a computer are and the subordinate date field has DATE FORMAT
ordered for purposes of sorting, merging, comparing, YYXX.
and for processing indexed files sequentially.
v PROCEDURE DIVISION
* column. A character position within a print line. The Two date fields are compatible if they have the same
columns are numbered from 1, by 1, starting at the date format except for the year part, which can be
leftmost character position of the print line and
extending to the rightmost position of the print line.

704 Programming Guide

 windowed or expanded. For example, a windowed designed to work with other components and
date field with DATE FORMAT YYXXX is compatible applications. JavaBeans is Sun Microsystems, Inc.’s
with: architecture for creating components.
– Another windowed date field with DATE FORMAT
* computer-name. A system-name that identifies the
YYXXX
computer where the program is to be compiled or run.
– An expanded date field with DATE FORMAT YYYYXXX
condition. An exception that has been enabled, or
* compile. (1) To translate a program expressed in a recognized, by Language Environment and thus is
high-level language into a program expressed in an eligible to activate user and language condition
intermediate language, assembly language, or a handlers. Any alteration to the normal programmed
computer language. (2) To prepare a machine-language flow of an application. Conditions can be detected by
program from a computer program written in another the hardware or the operating system and result in an
programming language by making use of the overall interrupt. They can also be detected by
logic structure of the program, or generating more than language-specific generated code or language library
one computer instruction for each symbolic statement, code.
or both, as well as performing the function of an
assembler. * condition. A status of a program at run time for
which a truth value can be determined. When used in
* compile time. The time at which a COBOL source these language specifications in or in reference to
program is translated, by a COBOL compiler, to a ’condition’ (condition-1, condition-2,. . .) of a general
COBOL object program. format, the term refers to a conditional expression that
consists of either a simple condition optionally
compiler. A program that translates a program written
parenthesized or a combined condition (consisting of
in a higher-level language into a machine-language
the syntactically correct combination of simple
object program.
conditions, logical operators, and parentheses) for
compiler-directing statement. A statement (or which a truth value can be determined. See also simple
directive), beginning with a compiler-directing verb, condition, complex condition, negated simple condition,
that causes the compiler to take a specific action during combined condition, and negated combined condition.
compilation. Compiler directives are contained in the
* conditional expression. A simple condition or a
COBOL source program. Therefore, you can specify
complex condition specified in an EVALUATE, IF,
different suboptions of a directive within the source
PERFORM, or SEARCH statement. See also simple condition
program by using multiple compiler-directing
and complex condition.
statements.
* conditional phrase. A phrase that specifies the
* complex condition. A condition in which one or
action to be taken upon determination of the truth
more logical operators act upon one or more
value of a condition that results from the execution of a
conditions. See also condition, negated simple condition,
conditional statement.
and negated combined condition.
* conditional statement. A statement that specifies
complex ODO. Certain forms of the OCCURS DEPENDING
that the truth value of a condition is to be determined
ON clause:
and that the subsequent action of the object program
v Variably located item or group: A data item depends on this truth value.
described by an OCCURS clause with the DEPENDING ON
option is followed by a nonsubordinate data item or * conditional variable. A data item one or more
group. values of which has a condition-name assigned to it.
v Variably located table: A data item described by an
* condition-name. A user-defined word that assigns a
OCCURS clause with the DEPENDING ON option is
name to a subset of values that a conditional variable
followed by a nonsubordinate data item described by
can assume; or a user-defined word assigned to a status
an OCCURS clause.
of an implementor-defined switch or device. When
v Table with variable-length elements: A data item condition-name is used in the general formats, it
described by an OCCURS clause contains a subordinate represents a unique data item reference that consists of
data item described by an OCCURS clause with the a syntactically correct combination of a condition-name,
DEPENDING ON option. qualifiers, and subscripts, as required for uniqueness of
v Index name for a table with variable-length elements. reference.
v Element of a table with variable-length elements.
* condition-name condition. The proposition (for
component. (1) A functional grouping of related files. which a truth value can be determined) that the value
(2) In object-oriented programming, a reusable object or of a conditional variable is a member of the set of
program that performs a specific function and is values attributed to a condition-name associated with
the conditional variable.

Glossary 705
* CONFIGURATION SECTION. A section of the ENVIRONMENT program, that provides information describing a
DIVISION that describes overall specifications of source particular attribute of a data item.
and object programs and class definitions.
* data description entry. An entry in the DATA
CONSOLE. A COBOL environment-name associated DIVISION of a COBOL program that is composed of a
with the operator console. level-number followed by a data-name, if required, and
then followed by a set of data clauses, as required.
* contiguous items. Items that are described by
consecutive entries in the DATA DIVISION, and that bear DATA DIVISION. One of the four main components of a
a definite hierarchic relationship to each other. COBOL program, class definition, or method definition.
The DATA DIVISION describes the data to be processed
copybook. A file or library member containing a by the object program, class, or method: files to be used
sequence of code that is included in the source and the records contained within them; internal
program at compile time using the COPY statement. The working-storage records that will be needed; data to be
file can be created by the user, supplied by COBOL, or made available in more than one program in the
supplied by another product. Synonymous with copy COBOL run unit. (A class DATA DIVISION contains only
file. the WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.)

* counter. A data item used for storing numbers or * data item. A unit of data (excluding literals) defined
number representations in a manner that permits these by a COBOL program or by the rules for function
numbers to be increased or decreased by the value of evaluation.
another number, or to be changed or reset to zero or to
an arbitrary positive or negative value. * data-name. A user-defined word that names a data
item described in a data description entry. When used
cross-reference listing. The portion of the compiler in the general formats, data-name represents a word
listing that contains information on where files, fields, that must not be reference-modified, subscripted, or
and indicators are defined, referenced, and modified in qualified unless specifically permitted by the rules for
a program. the format.

currency-sign value. A character string that identifies date field. Any of the following:
the monetary units stored in a numeric-edited item.
v A data item whose data description entry includes a
Typical examples are $, USD, and EUR. A currency-sign
DATE FORMAT clause.
value can be defined by either the CURRENCY compiler
option or the CURRENCY SIGN clause in the v A value returned by one of the following intrinsic
SPECIAL-NAMES paragraph of the ENVIRONMENT DIVISION. functions:
If the CURRENCY SIGN clause is not specified and the
NOCURRENCY compiler option is in effect, the dollar sign DATE-OF-INTEGER
($) is used as the default currency-sign value. See also DATE-TO-YYYYMMDD
currency symbol. DATEVAL
DAY-OF-INTEGER
currency symbol. A character used in a PICTURE clause DAY-TO-YYYYDDD
to indicate the position of a currency sign value in a YEAR-TO-YYYY
numeric-edited item. A currency symbol can be defined YEARWINDOW
by either the CURRENCY compiler option or the CURRENCY v The conceptual data items DATE, DATE
SIGN clause in the SPECIAL-NAMES paragraph of the YYYYMMDD, DAY, and DAY YYYYDDD of the
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION. If the CURRENCY SIGN clause is ACCEPT statement.
not specified and the NOCURRENCY compiler option is in
v The result of certain arithmetic operations (for
effect, the dollar sign ($) is used as the default currency
details, see Arithmetic with date fields in Enterprise
sign value and currency symbol. Multiple currency
COBOL Language Reference).
symbols and currency sign values can be defined. See
also currency sign value.
The term date field refers to both expanded date field and
* current record. In file processing, the record that is windowed date field. See also nondate.
available in the record area associated with a file.
date format. The date pattern of a date field, specified
* current volume pointer. A conceptual entity that in either of the following ways:
points to the current volume of a sequential file. v Explicitly, by the DATE FORMAT clause or DATEVAL
intrinsic function argument-2
D v Implicitly, by statements and intrinsic functions that
return date fields (for details, see Date field in
* data clause. A clause, appearing in a data Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)
description entry in the DATA DIVISION of a COBOL
DBCS. See double-byte character set (DBCS).

706 Programming Guide

* debugging line. Any line with a D in the indicator * division. A collection of zero, one, or more sections
area of the line. or paragraphs, called the division body, that are formed
and combined in accordance with a specific set of rules.
* debugging section. A section that contains a USE FOR Each division consists of the division header and the
DEBUGGING statement. related division body. There are four divisions in a
COBOL program: Identification, Environment, Data,
* declarative sentence. A compiler-directing sentence and Procedure.
that consists of a single USE statement terminated by
the separator period. * division header. A combination of words followed
by a separator period that indicates the beginning of a
* declaratives. A set of one or more special-purpose division. The division headers are:
sections, written at the beginning of the PROCEDURE
DIVISION, the first of which is preceded by the key IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION.
word DECLARATIVE and the last of which is followed by
DATA DIVISION.
the key words END DECLARATIVES. A declarative is PROCEDURE DIVISION.
composed of a section header, followed by a USE
compiler-directing sentence, followed by a set of zero, DLL. See dynamic link library (DLL).
one, or more associated paragraphs.
DLL application. An application that references
* de-edit. The logical removal of all editing characters imported programs, functions, or variables.
from a numeric-edited data item in order to determine
the unedited numeric value of the item. DLL linkage. A CALL in a program that has been
compiled with the DLL and NODYNAM options; the CALL
* delimited scope statement. Any statement that resolves to an exported name in a separate module, or
includes its explicit scope terminator. to an INVOKE of a method that is defined in a separate
module.
* delimiter. A character or a sequence of contiguous
characters that identify the end of a string of characters do construction. In structured programming, a DO
and separate that string of characters from the statement is used to group a number of statements in a
following string of characters. A delimiter is not part of procedure. In COBOL, an in-line PERFORM statement
the string of characters that it delimits. functions in the same way.

dependent region. In IMS, the MVS virtual storage do-until. In structured programming, a do-until loop
region that contains message-driven programs, batch will be executed at least once, and until a given
programs, or online utilities. condition is true. In COBOL, a TEST AFTER phrase used
with the PERFORM statement functions in the same way.
* descending key. A key upon the values of which
data is ordered starting with the highest value of key do-while. In structured programming, a do-while loop
down to the lowest value of key, in accordance with the will be executed if, and while, a given condition is true.
rules for comparing data items. In COBOL, a TEST BEFORE phrase used with the
PERFORM statement functions in the same way.
digit. Any of the numerals from 0 through 9. In
COBOL, the term is not used to refer to any other document type definition (DTD). The grammar for a
symbol. class of XML documents. See XML type definition.

* digit position. The amount of physical storage double-byte character set (DBCS). A set of characters
required to store a single digit. This amount can vary in which each character is represented by 2 bytes.
depending on the usage specified in the data Languages such as Japanese, Chinese, and Korean,
description entry that defines the data item. which contain more symbols than can be represented
by 256 code points, require double-byte character sets.
* direct access. The facility to obtain data from storage Because each character requires 2 bytes, entering,
devices or to enter data into a storage device in such a displaying, and printing DBCS characters requires
way that the process depends only on the location of hardware and supporting software that are
that data and not on a reference to data previously DBCS-capable.
accessed.
* dynamic access. An access mode in which specific
Distributed Debugger. A client-server application that logical records can be obtained from or placed into a
enables you to detect and diagnose errors in programs mass storage file in a nonsequential manner and
that run on systems accessible through a network obtained from a file in a sequential manner during the
connection or that run on your workstation. The scope of the same OPEN statement.
Distributed Debugger uses a graphical user interface
where you can issue commands to control the dynamic CALL. A CALL literal statement in a program
execution (remote or local) of your program. that has been compiled with the DYNAM and NODLL

Glossary 707
options, or a CALL identifier statement in a program that EJB server. Software that provides services to an EJB
has been compiled with the NODLL option. container. An EJB server can host one or more EJB
containers. (Sun)
dynamic link library (DLL). A file containing
executable code and data that are bound to a program element (text element). One logical unit of a string of
at load time or run time, rather than during linking. text, such as the description of a single data item or
Several applications can share the code and data in a verb, preceded by a unique code identifying the
DLL simultaneously. Although a DLL is not part of the element type.
executable (.EXE) file for a program, it can be required
for an .EXE file to run properly. * elementary item. A data item that is described as
not being further logically subdivided.
dynamic storage area (DSA). Dynamically acquired
storage composed of a register save area and an area encapsulation. In object-oriented programming, the
available for dynamic storage allocation (such as technique that is used to hide the inherent details of an
program variables). DSAs are generally allocated within object. The object provides an interface that queries and
STACK segments managed by Language Environment. manipulates the data without exposing its underlying
structure. Synonymous with information hiding.

E enclave. When running under Language Environment,

an enclave is analogous to a run unit. An enclave can
* EBCDIC (Extended Binary-Coded Decimal create other enclaves by a LINK and the use of the
Interchange Code). A coded character set based on system() function of C.
8-bit coded characters.
encoding unit. See character encoding unit.
EBCDIC character. Any one of the symbols included
in the EBCDIC (Extended Binary-Coded-Decimal end class marker. A combination of words, followed
Interchange Code) set. by a separator period, that indicates the end of a
COBOL class definition. The end class marker is:
edited data item. A data item that has been modified END CLASS class-name.
by suppressing zeros or inserting editing characters or
both. end method marker. A combination of words,
followed by a separator period, that indicates the end
* editing character. A single character or a fixed of a COBOL method definition. The end method
two-character combination belonging to the following marker is:
set:
END METHOD method-name.
Character Meaning
* end of PROCEDURE DIVISION. The physical position of
Space
a COBOL source program after which no further
0 Zero
procedures appear.
+ Plus
- Minus * end program marker. A combination of words,
CR Credit followed by a separator period, that indicates the end
DB Debit of a COBOL source program. The end program marker
Z Zero suppress is:
* Check protect END PROGRAM program-name.
$ Currency sign
, Comma (decimal point) enterprise bean. A component that implements a
business task and resides in an EJB container. (Sun)
. Period (decimal point)
/ Slant (virgule, slash) Enterprise JavaBeans. A component architecture
defined by Sun Microsystems, Inc. for the development
and deployment of object-oriented, distributed,
EJB. See Enterprise JavaBeans.
enterprise-level applications.
EJB container. A container that implements the EJB
* entry. Any descriptive set of consecutive clauses
component contract of the J2EE architecture. This
terminated by a separator period and written in the
contract specifies a run-time environment for enterprise
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION, ENVIRONMENT DIVISION, or
beans that includes security, concurrency, life cycle
DATA DIVISION of a COBOL program.
management, transaction, deployment, and other
services. An EJB container is provided by an EJB or * environment clause. A clause that appears as part of
J2EE server. (Sun) an ENVIRONMENT DIVISION entry.

708 Programming Guide

ENVIRONMENT DIVISION. One of the four main * external data. The data that is described in a
component parts of a COBOL program, class definition, program as external data items and external file
or method definition. The ENVIRONMENT DIVISION connectors.
describes the computers where the source program is
compiled and those where the object program is run. It * external data item. A data item that is described as
provides a linkage between the logical concept of files part of an external record in one or more programs of a
and their records, and the physical aspects of the run unit and that can be referenced from any program
devices on which files are stored. in which it is described.

environment-name. A name, specified by IBM, that * external data record. A logical record that is
identifies system logical units, printer and card punch described in one or more programs of a run unit and
control characters, report codes, program switches or whose constituent data items can be referenced from
all of these. When an environment-name is associated any program in which they are described.
with a mnemonic-name in the ENVIRONMENT DIVISION,
the mnemonic-name can be substituted in any format external decimal item. A format for representing
in which such substitution is valid. numbers in which the digit is contained in bits 4
through 7 and the sign is contained in bits 0 through 3
environment variable. Any of a number of variables of the rightmost byte. Bits 0 through 3 of all other bytes
that describe the way an operating system is going to contain 1 (hex F). For example, the decimal value of
run and the devices it is going to recognize. +123 is represented as 1111 0001 1111 0010 1111 0011.
Synonymous with zoned decimal item.
EXE. See executable file (EXE).
* external file connector. A file connector that is
executable file (EXE). A file that contains programs or accessible to one or more object programs in the run
commands that perform operations or actions to be unit.
taken.
external floating-point item. A format for
execution time. See run time. representing numbers in which a real number is
represented by a pair of distinct numerals. In a
execution-time environment. See run-time environment. floating-point representation, the real number is the
product of the fixed-point part (the first numeral), and
expanded date field. A date field containing an a value obtained by raising the implicit floating-point
expanded (four-digit) year. See also date field and base to a power denoted by the exponent (the second
expanded year. numeral). For example, a floating-point representation
of the number 0.0001234 is: 0.1234 -3, where 0.1234 is
expanded year. A date field that consists only of a
the mantissa and -3 is the exponent.
four-digit year. Its value includes the century: for
example, 1998. Compare with windowed year. external program. The outermost program. A program
that is not nested.
* explicit scope terminator. A reserved word that
terminates the scope of a particular PROCEDURE DIVISION * external switch. A hardware or software device,
statement. defined and named by the implementor, which is used
to indicate that one of two alternate states exists.
exponent. A number that indicates the power to
which another number (the base) is to be raised.
Positive exponents denote multiplication; negative F
exponents denote division; and fractional exponents
denote a root of a quantity. In COBOL, an exponential factory data. Data that is allocated once for a class and
expression is indicated with the symbol ** followed by shared by all instances of the class. Factory data is
the exponent. declared in the WORKING-STORAGE SECTION of the DATA
DIVISION in the FACTORY paragraph of the class
* expression. An arithmetic or conditional expression. definition, and is equivalent to Java private static data.
* extend mode. The state of a file after execution of an factory method. A method that is supported by a class
OPEN statement, with the EXTEND phrase specified for independently of an object instance. Factory methods
that file, and before the execution of a CLOSE statement, are declared in the FACTORY paragraph of the class
without the REEL or UNIT phrase for that file. definition, and are equivalent to Java public static
methods. They are typically used to customize the
Extensible Markup Language. See XML.
creation of objects.
extensions. Certain COBOL syntax and semantics
* figurative constant. A compiler-generated value
supported by IBM compilers in addition to those
referenced through the use of certain reserved words.
described in ANSI Standard.

Glossary 709
* file. A collection of logical records. the alternate record keys, the code set, the minimum
and maximum record size, the record type (fixed or
* file attribute conflict condition. An unsuccessful variable), the collating sequence of the keys for indexed
attempt has been made to execute an input-output files, the blocking factor, the padding character, and the
operation on a file and the file attributes, as specified record delimiter.
for that file in the program, do not match the fixed
attributes for that file. * fixed-length record. A record associated with a file
whose file description or sort-merge description entry
* file clause. A clause that appears as part of any of requires that all records contain the same number of
the following DATA DIVISION entries: file description character positions.
entry (FD entry) and sort-merge file description entry
(SD entry). fixed-point number. A numeric data item defined
with a PICTURE clause that specifies the location of an
* file connector. A storage area that contains optional sign, the number of digits it contains, and the
information about a file and is used as the linkage location of an optional decimal point. The format can
between a file-name and a physical file and between a be either binary, packed decimal, or external decimal.
file-name and its associated record area.
floating-point number. A numeric data item that
FILE-CONTROL. The name of an ENVIRONMENT DIVISION contains a fraction and an exponent. Its value is
paragraph in which the data files for a given source obtained by multiplying the fraction by the base of the
program are declared. numeric data item raised to the power that the
exponent specifies.
* file control entry. A SELECT clause and all its
subordinate clauses that declare the relevant physical * format. A specific arrangement of a set of data.
attributes of a file.
* function. A temporary data item whose value is
* file description entry. An entry in the FILE SECTION determined at the time the function is referenced
of the DATA DIVISION that is composed of the level during the execution of a statement.
indicator FD, followed by a file-name, and then
followed by a set of file clauses as required. * function-identifier. A syntactically correct
combination of character strings and separators that
* file-name. A user-defined word that names a file references a function. The data item represented by a
connector described in a file description entry or a function is uniquely identified by a function-name with
sort-merge file description entry within the FILE its arguments, if any. A function-identifier can include a
SECTION of the DATA DIVISION. reference-modifier. A function-identifier that references
an alphanumeric function can be specified anywhere in
* file organization. The permanent logical file the general formats that an identifier can be specified,
structure established at the time that a file is created. subject to certain restrictions. A function-identifier that
references an integer or numeric function can be
*file position indicator. A conceptual entity that
referenced anywhere in the general formats that an
contains the value of the current key within the key of
arithmetic expression can be specified.
reference for an indexed file, or the record number of
the current record for a sequential file, or the relative function-name. A word that names the mechanism
record number of the current record for a relative file, whose invocation, along with required arguments,
or indicates that no next logical record exists, or that an determines the value of a function.
optional input file is not present, or that the AT END
condition already exists, or that no valid next record function-pointer data item. A data item in which a
has been established. pointer to an entry point can be stored. A data item
defined with the USAGE IS FUNCTION-POINTER clause
* FILE SECTION. The section of the DATA DIVISION that contains the address of a function entry point. Typically
contains file description entries and sort-merge file used to communicate with C and Java programs.
description entries together with their associated record
descriptions.
G
file system. The collection of files and file
management structures on a physical or logical mass garbage collection. The automatic freeing by the Java
storage device, such as a diskette or minidisk. run-time system of the memory for objects that are no
longer referenced.
* fixed file attributes. Information about a file that is
established when a file is created and that cannot * global name. A name that is declared in only one
subsequently be changed during the existence of the program but that can be referenced from the program
file. These attributes include the organization of the file and from any program contained within the program.
(sequential, relative, or indexed), the prime record key,

710 Programming Guide

Condition-names, data-names, file-names, scope statement). An imperative statement can consist
record-names, report-names, and some special registers of a sequence of imperative statements.
can be global names.
* implicit scope terminator. A separator period that
global reference. A reference to an object that is terminates the scope of any preceding unterminated
outside the scope of a method. statement, or a phrase of a statement that by its
occurrence indicates the end of the scope of any
* group item. A data item that is composed of statement contained within the preceding phrase.
subordinate data items.
* index. A computer storage area or register, the
content of which represents the identification of a
H particular element in a table.
header label. (1) A file label or data set label that * index data item. A data item in which the values
precedes the data records on a unit of recording media. associated with an index-name can be stored in a form
(2) Synonym for beginning-of-file label. specified by the implementor.
hide. To redefine a factory or static method (inherited indexed data-name. An identifier that is composed of
from a parent class) in a subclass. a data-name, followed by one or more index-names
enclosed in parentheses.
hierarchical file system. A collection of files and
directories that are organized in a hierarchical structure * indexed file. A file with indexed organization.
and can be accessed by using UNIX System Services.
* indexed organization. The permanent logical file
* high-order end. The leftmost character of a string of structure in which each record is identified by the
characters. value of one or more keys within that record.
hiperspace. In a z/OS environment, a range of up to 2 indexing. Synonymous with subscripting using
GB of contiguous virtual storage addresses that a index-names.
program can use as a buffer.
* index-name. A user-defined word that names an
I index associated with a specific table.

* inheritance. A mechanism for using the

IBM COBOL extension. Certain COBOL syntax and implementation of one or more classes as the basis for
semantics supported by IBM compilers in addition to another class. A subclass inherits from one or more
those described in ANSI Standard. superclasses. By definition the inheriting class conforms
to the inherited classes. Enterprise COBOL does not
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION. One of the four main
support multiple inheritance; a subclass has exactly one
component parts of a COBOL program, class definition,
immediate superclass.
or method definition. The IDENTIFICATION DIVISION
identifies the program name, class name, or method inheritance hierarchy. See class hierarchy.
name. The IDENTIFICATION DIVISION can include the
following documentation: author name, installation, or * initial program. A program that is placed into an
date. initial state every time the program is called in a run
unit.
* identifier. A syntactically correct combination of
character strings and separators that names a data item. * initial state. The state of a program when it is first
When referencing a data item that is not a function, an called in a run unit.
identifier consists of a data-name, together with its
qualifiers, subscripts, and reference-modifier, as inline. In a program, instructions that are executed
required for uniqueness of reference. When referencing sequentially, without branching to routines,
a data item that is a function, a function-identifier is subroutines, or other programs.
used.
* input file. A file that is opened in the input mode.
IGZCBSO. The Enterprise COBOL bootstrap routine.
It must be link-edited with any module that contains a * input mode. The state of a file after execution of an
Enterprise COBOL program. OPEN statement, with the INPUT phrase specified, for
that file and before the execution of a CLOSE statement,
* imperative statement. A statement that either begins without the REEL or UNIT phrase for that file.
with an imperative verb and specifies an unconditional
action to be taken or is a conditional statement that is * input-output file. A file that is opened in the I-O
delimited by its explicit scope terminator (delimited mode.

Glossary 711
* INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION. The section of the * internal data item. A data item that is described in
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION that names the files and the one program in a run unit. An internal data item can
external media required by an object program or have a global name.
method and that provides information required for
transmission and handling of data during execution of internal decimal item. A format in which each byte in
the object program or method definition. a field except the rightmost byte represents two
numeric digits. The rightmost byte contains one digit
* input-output statement. A statement that causes files and the sign. For example, the decimal value +123 is
to be processed by performing operations on individual represented as 0001 0010 0011 1111. Synonymous with
records or on the file as a unit. The input-output packed decimal.
statements are ACCEPT (with the identifier phrase),
CLOSE, DELETE, DISPLAY, OPEN, READ, REWRITE, SET (with * internal file connector. A file connector that is
the TO ON or TO OFF phrase), START, and WRITE. accessible to only one object program in the run unit.

* input procedure. A set of statements, to which * intrarecord data structure. The entire collection of
control is given during the execution of a SORT groups and elementary data items from a logical record
statement, for the purpose of controlling the release of that a contiguous subset of the data description entries
specified records to be sorted. defines. These data description entries include all
entries whose level-number is greater than the
instance data. Data that defines the state of an object. level-number of the first data description entry
The instance data introduced by a class is defined in describing the intra-record data structure.
the WORKING-STORAGE SECTION of the DATA DIVISION in
the OBJECT paragraph of the class definition. The state intrinsic function. A predefined function, such as a
of an object also includes the state of the instance commonly used arithmetic function, called by a built-in
variables introduced by base classes that are inherited function reference.
by the current class. A separate copy of the instance
data is created for each object instance. * invalid key condition. A condition, at run time,
caused when a specific value of the key associated with
* integer. (1) A numeric literal that does not include an indexed or relative file is determined to be not valid.
any digit positions to the right of the decimal point. (2)
A numeric data item defined in the DATA DIVISION that * I-O-CONTROL. The name of an ENVIRONMENT DIVISION
does not include any digit positions to the right of the paragraph in which object program requirements for
decimal point. (3) A numeric function whose definition rerun points, sharing of same areas by several data
provides that all digits to the right of the decimal point files, and multiple file storage on a single input-output
are zero in the returned value for any possible device are specified.
evaluation of the function.
* I-O-CONTROL entry. An entry in the I-O-CONTROL
integer function. A function whose category is paragraph of the ENVIRONMENT DIVISION; this entry
numeric and whose definition does not include any contains clauses that provide information required for
digit positions to the right of the decimal point. the transmission and handling of data on named files
during the execution of a program.
Interactive System Productivity Facility (ISPF). An
IBM software product that provides a menu-driven * I-O mode. The state of a file after execution of an
interface for the TSO or VM user. ISPF includes library OPEN statement, with the I-O phrase specified, for that
utilities, a powerful editor, and dialog management. file and before the execution of a CLOSE statement
without the REEL or UNIT phase for that file.
interlanguage communication (ILC). The ability of
routines written in different programming languages to * I-O status. A conceptual entity that contains the
communicate. ILC support allows the application two-character value indicating the resulting status of an
developer to readily build applications from component input-output operation. This value is made available to
routines written in a variety of languages. the program through the use of the FILE STATUS clause
in the file control entry for the file.
intermediate result. An intermediate field that
contains the results of a succession of arithmetic is-a. A relationship that characterizes classes and
operations. subclasses in an inheritance hierarchy. Subclasses that
have an is-a relationship to a class inherit from that
* internal data. The data that is described in a class.
program and excludes all external data items and
external file connectors. Items described in the LINKAGE ISPF. See Interactive System Productivity Facility (ISPF).
SECTION of a program are treated as internal data.
iteration structure. A program processing logic in
which a series of statements is repeated while a
condition is true or until a condition is true.

712 Programming Guide

J * key of reference. The key, either prime or alternate,
currently being used to access records within an
indexed file.
J2EE. See Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EE).
* keyword. A reserved word or function-name whose
Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EE). An
presence is required when the format in which the
environment for developing and deploying enterprise
word appears is used in a source program.
applications, defined by Sun Microsystems, Inc. The
J2EE platform consists of a set of services, application kilobyte (KB). One kilobyte equals 1024 bytes.
programming interfaces (APIs), and protocols that
provide the functionality for developing multitiered,
Web-based applications. (Sun) L
Java batch-processing program (JBP). An IMS * language-name. A system-name that specifies a
batch-processing program that has access to online particular programming language.
databases and output message queues. JBPs run online,
but like programs in a batch environment, they are Language Environment-conforming. A characteristic
started with JCL or in a TSO session. of compiler products (such as Enterprise COBOL,
COBOL for OS/390 & VM, COBOL for MVS & VM,
Java batch-processing region. An IMS dependent C/C++ for MVS and VM, PL/I for MVS and VM) that
region in which only Java batch-processing programs produce object code conforming to the Language
are scheduled. Environment format.

Java Database Connectivity (JDBC). A specification last-used state. A state that a program is in if its
from Sun Microsystems that defines an API that internal values remain the same as when the program
enables Java programs to access databases. was exited (the values are not reset to their initial
values).
Java message-processing program (JMP). An IMS
Java application program that is driven by transactions * letter. A character belonging to one of the following
and has access to online IMS databases and message two sets:
queues. 1. Uppercase letters: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L,
M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z
Java message-processing region. An IMS dependent
region in which only Java message-processing 2. Lowercase letters: a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n,
programs are scheduled. o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, z

Java virtual machine (JVM). A software * level indicator. Two alphabetic characters that
implementation of a central processing unit that runs identify a specific type of file or a position in a
compiled Java programs. hierarchy. The level indicators in the DATA DIVISION are:
CD, FD, and SD.
JavaBeans. A portable, platform-independent, reusable
component model. (Sun) * level-number. A user-defined word (expressed as a
two-digit number) that indicates the hierarchical
JBP. See Java batch-processing program (JBP). position of a data item or the special properties of a
data description entry. Level-numbers in the range from
JDBC. See Java Database Connectivity (JDBC). 1 through 49 indicate the position of a data item in the
hierarchical structure of a logical record. Level-numbers
JMP. See Java message-processing program (JMP). in the range 1 through 9 can be written either as a
single digit or as a zero followed by a significant digit.
job control language (JCL). A control language used
Level-numbers 66, 77, and 88 identify special properties
to identify a job to an operating system and to describe
of a data description entry.
the job’s requirements.
* library-name. A user-defined word that names a
JVM. See Java virtual machine (JVM).
COBOL library that the compiler is to use for
compiling a given source program.
K
* library text. A sequence of text words, comment
K. When referring to storage capacity, two to the tenth lines, the separator space, or the separator pseudotext
power; 1024 in decimal notation. delimiter in a COBOL library.

* key. A data item that identifies the location of a Lilian date. The number of days since the beginning
record, or a set of data items that serve to identify the of the Gregorian calendar. Day one is Friday, October
ordering of data. 15, 1582. The Lilian date format is named in honor of
Luigi Lilio, the creator of the Gregorian calendar.

Glossary 713
* linage-counter. A special register whose value points make file. A text file that contains a list of the files for
to the current position within the page body. your application. The make utility uses this file to
update the target files with the latest changes.
link. (1) The combination of the link connection (the
transmission medium) and two link stations, one at * mass storage. A storage medium in which data can
each end of the link connection. A link can be shared be organized and maintained in both a sequential
among multiple links in a multipoint or token-ring manner and a nonsequential manner.
configuration. (2) To interconnect items of data or
portions of one or more computer programs; for * mass storage device. A device that has a large
example, linking object programs by a linkage editor to storage capacity, such as magnetic disk and magnetic
produce an executable file. drum.

LINKAGE SECTION. The section in the DATA DIVISION of * mass storage file. A collection of records that is
the called program that describes data items available assigned to a mass storage medium.
from the calling program. Both the calling program and
the called program can refer to these data items * megabyte (MB). One megabyte equals 1,048,576
bytes.
linker. A term that refers to either the DFSMS linkage
editor or the DFSMS binder. * merge file. A collection of records to be merged by a
MERGE statement. The merge file is created and can be
literal. A character string whose value is specified used only by the merge function.
either by the ordered set of characters comprising the
string or by the use of a figurative constant. message-processing program (MPP). An IMS
application program that is driven by transactions and
little-endian. The default format that the PC uses to has access to online IMS databases and message
store binary data. In this format, the most significant queues.
digit is on the highest address. Compare with
big-endian. message queue. The data set on which messages are
queued before being processed by an application
local reference. A reference to an object that is within program or sent to a terminal.
the scope of your method.
method. Procedural code that defines an operation
locale. A set of attributes for a program execution supported by an object and that is executed by an
environment indicating culturally sensitive INVOKE statement on that object.
considerations, such as character code page, collating
sequence, date and time format, monetary value * method definition. The COBOL source unit that
representation, numeric value representation, or defines a method.
language.
* method identification entry. An entry in the
* LOCAL-STORAGE SECTION. The section of the DATA METHOD-ID paragraph of the IDENTIFICATION DIVISION;
DIVISION that defines storage that is allocated and freed this entry contains a clause that specifies the
on a per-invocation basis, depending on the value method-name.
assigned in the VALUE clauses.
method invocation. A communication from one object
* logical operator. One of the reserved words AND, to another that requests the receiving object to execute
OR, or NOT. In the formation of a condition, either a method.
AND, or OR, or both can be used as logical
method-name. The name of an object-oriented
connectives. NOT can be used for logical negation.
operation. When used to invoke the method, the name
* logical record. The most inclusive data item. The can be a literal or a data item. When used in the
level-number for a record is 01. A record can be either METHOD-ID paragraph to define the method, the name
an elementary item or a group of items. Synonymous must be a literal.
with record.
* mnemonic-name. A user-defined word that is
* low-order end. The rightmost character of a string of associated in the ENVIRONMENT DIVISION with a specified
characters. implementor-name.

module definition file. A file that describes the code

M segments within a load module.

main program. In a hierarchy of programs and MPP. See message-processing program (MPP).
subroutines, the first program that receives control
when the programs are run.

714 Programming Guide

multitasking. A mode of operation that provides for v A date field that has been converted using the UNDATE
the concurrent, or interleaved, execution of two or function
more tasks. v A reference-modified date field
multithreading. Concurrent operation of more than v The result of certain arithmetic operations that can
one path of execution within a computer. Synonymous include date field operands; for example, the
with multiprocessing. difference between two compatible date fields

null. A figurative constant that is used to assign, to

N pointer data items, the value of an address that is not
valid. NULLS can be used wherever NULL can be used.
name. A word (composed of not more than 30
characters) that defines a COBOL operand. * numeric character. A character that belongs to the
following set of digits: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
national character. An encoding unit of UTF-16 or a
character represented in one encoding unit of UTF-16. numeric-edited item. A numeric item that is in a form
appropriate for use in printed output. It can consist of
national data item. A data item that is described external decimal digits from 0 through 9, the decimal
implicitly or explicitly as USAGE NATIONAL. point, commas, the dollar sign, editing sign control
symbols, plus other editing symbols.
* native character set. The implementor-defined
character set associated with the computer specified in * numeric function. A function whose class and
the OBJECT-COMPUTER paragraph. category are numeric but that for some possible
evaluation does not satisfy the requirements of integer
* native collating sequence. The implementor-defined functions.
collating sequence associated with the computer
specified in the OBJECT-COMPUTER paragraph. * numeric item. A data item whose description
restricts its content to a value represented by characters
native method. A Java method with an chosen from the digits 0 through 9. If signed, the item
implementation that is written in another programming can also contain a +, -, or other representation of an
language, such as COBOL. operational sign.

* negated combined condition. The NOT logical * numeric literal. A literal composed of one or more
operator immediately followed by a parenthesized numeric characters that can contain a decimal point or
combined condition. See also condition and combined an algebraic sign, or both. The decimal point must not
condition. be the rightmost character. The algebraic sign, if
present, must be the leftmost character.
* negated simple condition. The NOT logical operator
immediately followed by a simple condition. See also
condition and simple condition. O
nested program. A program that is directly contained object. (1) An entity that has state (its data values)
within another program. and operations (its methods). An object is a way to
encapsulate state and behavior. Each object in the class
* next executable sentence. The next sentence to is said to be an instance of the class. (2) In Visual
which control will be transferred after execution of the Builder, a computer representation of something that a
current statement is complete. user can work with to perform a task. An object can
appear as text or as an icon.
* next executable statement. The next statement to
which control will be transferred after execution of the object code. Output from a compiler or assembler that
current statement is complete. is itself executable machine code or is suitable for
processing to produce executable machine code.
* next record. The record that logically follows the
current record of a file. * OBJECT-COMPUTER. The name of an ENVIRONMENT
DIVISION paragraph in which the computer
* noncontiguous items. Elementary data items in the
environment, where the object program is run, is
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION and LINKAGE SECTION that
described.
bear no hierarchic relationship to other data items.
* object computer entry. An entry in the
nondate. Any of the following:
OBJECT-COMPUTER paragraph of the ENVIRONMENT
v A data item whose date description entry does not DIVISION; this entry contains clauses that describe the
include the DATE FORMAT clause computer environment in which the object program is
v A literal to be executed.

Glossary 715
object deck. A portion of an object program suitable * open mode. The state of a file after execution of an
as input to a linkage editor. Synonymous with object OPEN statement for that file and before the execution of
module and text deck. a CLOSE statement without the REEL or UNIT phrase for
that file. The particular open mode is specified in the
object instance. See object. OPEN statement as either INPUT, OUTPUT, I-O, or EXTEND.

object module. Synonym for object deck or text deck. * operand. (1) The general definition of operand is
“the component that is operated upon.” (2) For the
* object of entry. A set of operands and reserved purposes of this document, any lowercase word (or
words, within a DATA DIVISION entry of a COBOL words) that appears in a statement or entry format can
program, that immediately follows the subject of the be considered to be an operand and, as such, is an
entry. implied reference to the data indicated by the operand.
object-oriented programming. A programming operation. A service that can be requested of an
approach based on the concepts of encapsulation and object.
inheritance. Unlike procedural programming
techniques, object-oriented programming concentrates * operational sign. An algebraic sign that is associated
on the data objects that comprise the problem and how with a numeric data item or a numeric literal, to
they are manipulated, not on how something is indicate whether its value is positive or negative.
accomplished.
* optional file. A file that is declared as being not
* object program. A set or group of executable necessarily present each time the object program is run.
machine-language instructions and other material The object program causes an interrogation for the
designed to interact with data to provide problem presence or absence of the file.
solutions. In this context, an object program is generally
the machine language result of the operation of a * optional word. A reserved word that is included in
COBOL compiler on a source program. Where there is a specific format only to improve the readability of the
no danger of ambiguity, the word program can be used language. Its presence is optional to the user when the
in place of object program. format in which the word appears is used in a source
program.
object reference. A value that identifies an instance of
a class. If the class is not specified, the object reference * output file. A file that is opened in either output
is universal and can apply to instances of any class. mode or extend mode.

* object time. The time at which an object program is * output mode. The state of a file after execution of an
executed. Synonymous with run time. OPEN statement, with the OUTPUT or EXTEND phrase
specified, for that file and before the execution of a
* obsolete element. A COBOL language element in CLOSE statement without the REEL or UNIT phrase for
Standard COBOL that is to be deleted from the next that file.
revision of Standard COBOL.
* output procedure. A set of statements to which
ODBC. See Open Database Connectivity (ODBC). control is given during execution of a SORT statement
after the sort function is completed, or during
ODO object. In the example below, X is the object of execution of a MERGE statement after the merge function
the OCCURS DEPENDING ON clause (ODO object). reaches a point at which it can select the next record in
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION merged order when requested.
01 TABLE-1.
05 X PICS9. overflow condition. A condition that occurs when a
05 Y OCCURS 3 TIMES portion of the result of an operation exceeds the
DEPENDING ON X PIC X. capacity of the intended unit of storage.

The value of the ODO object determines how many of overload. To define a method with the same name as
the ODO subject appear in the table. another method that is available in the same class, but
with a different signature. See also signature.
ODO subject. In the example above, Y is the subject
of the OCCURS DEPENDING ON clause (ODO subject). The override. To redefine an instance method (inherited
number of Y ODO subjects that appear in the table from a parent class) in a subclass.
depends on the value of X.

Open Database Connectivity (ODBC). A specification P

for an application programming interface (API) that
provides access to data in a variety of databases and package. A group of related Java classes, which can be
file systems. imported individually or as a whole.

716 Programming Guide

packed-decimal item. See internal decimal item. * physical record. See block.

* padding character. An alphanumeric character that pointer data item. A data item in which address
is used to fill the unused character positions in a values can be stored. Data items are explicitly defined
physical record. as pointers with the USAGE IS POINTER clause. ADDRESS
OF special registers are implicitly defined as pointer
page. A vertical division of output data that represents data items. Pointer data items can be compared for
a physical separation of the data. The separation is equality or moved to other pointer data items.
based on internal logical requirements or external
characteristics of the output medium or both. port. (1) To modify a computer program to enable it to
run on a different platform. (2) In the Internet suite of
* page body. That part of the logical page in which protocols, a specific logical connector between the
lines can be written or spaced or both. Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) or the User
Datagram Protocol (UDP) and a higher-level protocol
* paragraph. In the PROCEDURE DIVISION, a or application. A port is identified by a port number.
paragraph-name followed by a separator period and by
zero, one, or more sentences. In the IDENTIFICATION portability. The ability to transfer an application
DIVISION and ENVIRONMENT DIVISION, a paragraph program from one application platform to another with
header followed by zero, one, or more entries. relatively few changes to the source program.

* paragraph header. A reserved word, followed by the preinitialization. The initialization of the COBOL
separator period, that indicates the beginning of a run-time environment in preparation for multiple calls
paragraph in the IDENTIFICATION DIVISION and from programs, especially non-COBOL programs. The
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION. The permissible paragraph environment is not terminated until an explicit
headers in the IDENTIFICATION DIVISION are: termination.
PROGRAM-ID. (Program IDENTIFICATION DIVISION)
CLASS-ID. (Class IDENTIFICATION DIVISION) * prime record key. A key whose contents uniquely
METHOD-ID. (Method IDENTIFICATION DIVISION) identify a record within an indexed file.
AUTHOR.
INSTALLATION. * priority-number. A user-defined word that classifies
DATE-WRITTEN. sections in the PROCEDURE DIVISION for purposes of
DATE-COMPILED. segmentation. Segment numbers can contain only the
SECURITY. characters 0 through 9. A segment number can be
expressed as either one or two digits.
The permissible paragraph headers in the ENVIRONMENT
DIVISION are: private. As applied to factory data or instance data,
SOURCE-COMPUTER. accessible only by methods of the class that defines the
OBJECT-COMPUTER. data.
SPECIAL-NAMES.
REPOSITORY. (Program or Class * procedure. A paragraph or group of logically
CONFIGURATION SECTION) successive paragraphs, or a section or group of
FILE-CONTROL. logically successive sections, within the PROCEDURE
I-O-CONTROL. DIVISION.

* paragraph-name. A user-defined word that identifies * procedure branching statement. A statement that
and begins a paragraph in the PROCEDURE DIVISION. causes the explicit transfer of control to a statement
other than the next executable statement in the
parameter. (1) Data passed between a calling program sequence in which the statements are written in the
and a called program. (2) A data element in the USING source program. The procedure branching statements
clause of a method call. Arguments provide additional are: ALTER, CALL, EXIT, EXIT PROGRAM, GO TO, MERGE (with
information that the invoked method can use to the OUTPUT PROCEDURE phrase), PERFORM and SORT (with
perform the requested operation. the INPUT PROCEDURE or OUTPUT PROCEDURE phrase).

Persistent Reusable JVM. A JVM that can be serially PROCEDURE DIVISION. One of the four main component
reused for transaction processing by resetting the JVM parts of a COBOL program, class definition, or method
between transactions. The reset phase restores the JVM definition. The PROCEDURE DIVISION contains
to a known initialization state. instructions for solving a problem. The PROCEDURE
DIVISION for a program or method can contain
* phrase. A phrase is an ordered set of one or more imperative statements, conditional statements,
consecutive COBOL character strings that form a compiler-directing statements, paragraphs, procedures,
portion of a COBOL procedural statement or of a and sections. The PROCEDURE DIVISION for a class
COBOL clause. contains only method definitions.

Glossary 717
procedure integration. One of the functions of the Character Meaning
COBOL optimizer is to simplify calls to performed . Period (full stop)
procedures or contained programs.
“ Quotation mark
PERFORM procedure integration is the process whereby a ( Left parenthesis
PERFORM statement is replaced by its performed ) Right parenthesis
procedures. Contained program procedure integration Space
is the process where a call to a contained program is
= Equal sign
replaced by the program code.

* procedure-name. A user-defined word that is used

to name a paragraph or section in the PROCEDURE Q
DIVISION. It consists of a paragraph-name (which can
be qualified) or a section-name. QSAM (queued sequential access method). An
extended version of the basic sequential access method
procedure-pointer data item. A data item in which a (BSAM). When this method is used, a queue is formed
pointer to an entry point can be stored. A data item of input data blocks that are awaiting processing or of
defined with the USAGE IS PROCEDURE-POINTER clause output data blocks that have been processed and are
contains the address of a procedure entry point. awaiting transfer to auxiliary storage or to an output
Typically used to communicate with COBOL and device.
Language Environment programs.
* qualified data-name. An identifier that is composed
process. The course of events that occurs during the of a data-name followed by one or more sets of either
execution of all or part of a program. Multiple of the connectives OF and IN followed by a data-name
processes can run concurrently, and programs that run qualifier.
within a process can share resources.
* qualifier. (1) A data-name or a name associated with
program. (1) A sequence of instructions suitable for a level indicator that is used in a reference either
processing by a computer. Processing may include the together with another data-name (which is the name of
use of a compiler to prepare the program for execution, an item that is subordinate to the qualifier) or together
as well as a run-time environment to execute it. (2) A with a condition-name. (2) A section-name that is used
logical assembly of one or more interrelated modules. in a reference together with a paragraph-name specified
Multiple copies of the same program can be run in in that section. (3) A library-name that is used in a
different processes. reference together with a text-name associated with that
library.
* program identification entry. In the PROGRAM-ID
paragraph of the IDENTIFICATION DIVISION, an entry
that contains clauses that specify the program-name R
and assign selected program attributes to the program.
* random access. An access mode in which the
* program-name. In the IDENTIFICATION DIVISION and program-specified value of a key data item identifies
the end program marker, a user-defined word that the logical record that is obtained from, deleted from,
identifies a COBOL source program. or placed into a relative or indexed file.
project environment. The central location where you * record. See logical record.
launch your COBOL tools such as the editor and job
monitor and work with COBOL files or data sets. * record area. A storage area allocated for the purpose
of processing the record described in a record
* pseudotext. A sequence of text words, comment description entry in the FILE SECTION of the DATA
lines, or the separator space in a source program or DIVISION. In the FILE SECTION, the current number of
COBOL library bounded by, but not including, character positions in the record area is determined by
pseudotext delimiters. the explicit or implicit RECORD clause.
* pseudotext delimiter. Two contiguous equal sign * record description. See record description entry.
characters (==) used to delimit pseudotext.
* record description entry. The total set of data
* punctuation character. A character that belongs to description entries associated with a particular record.
the following set: Synonymous with record description.
Character Meaning record key. A key whose contents identify a record
, Comma within an indexed file.
; Semicolon
: Colon

718 Programming Guide

* record-name. A user-defined word that names a characters used in the construction of a relation
record described in a record description entry in the condition. The permissible operators and their
DATA DIVISION of a COBOL program. meanings are:

* record number. The ordinal number of a record in Character Meaning

the file whose organization is sequential. IS GREATER THAN Greater than
IS > Greater than
recording mode. The format of the logical records in a
IS NOT GREATER THAN Not greater than
file. Recording mode can be F (fixed length), V
IS NOT > Not greater than
(variable length), S (spanned), or U (undefined).

recursion. A program calling itself or being directly or IS LESS THAN Less than
indirectly called by a one of its called programs. IS < Less than
IS NOT LESS THAN Not less than
recursively capable. A program is recursively capable IS NOT < Not less than
(can be called recursively) if the RECURSIVE attribute is
on the PROGRAM-ID statement.
IS EQUAL TO Equal to
reel. A discrete portion of a storage medium, the IS = Equal to
dimensions of which are determined by each IS NOT EQUAL TO Not equal to
implementor that contains part of a file, all of a file, or IS NOT = Not equal to
any number of files. Synonymous with unit and volume.
IS GREATER THAN OR EQUAL Greater than or equal to
reentrant. The attribute of a program or routine that TO
allows more than one user to share a single copy of a
IS >= Greater than or equal to
load module.

* reference format. A format that provides a standard IS LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO Less than or equal to
method for describing COBOL source programs. IS <= Less than or equal to

reference modification. A method of defining a new

alphanumeric data item by specifying the leftmost * relative file. A file with relative organization.
character and length relative to the leftmost character
of another alphanumeric data item. * relative key. A key whose contents identify a logical
record in a relative file.
* reference-modifier. A syntactically correct
combination of character strings and separators that * relative organization. The permanent logical file
defines a unique data item. It includes a delimiting left structure in which each record is uniquely identified by
parenthesis separator, the leftmost character position, a an integer value greater than zero, which specifies the
colon separator, optionally a length, and a delimiting logical ordinal position of the record in the file.
right parenthesis separator.
* relative record number. The ordinal number of a
* relation. See relational operator or relation condition. record in a file whose organization is relative. This
number is treated as a numeric literal that is an integer.
* relation character. A character that belongs to the
following set: * reserved word. A COBOL word that is specified in
the list of words that can be used in a COBOL source
Character Meaning program, but that must not appear in the program as a
> Greater than user-defined word or system-name.
< Less than
* resource. A facility or service, controlled by the
= Equal to
operating system, that an executing program can use.

* resultant identifier. A user-defined data item that is

* relation condition. The proposition (for which a
to contain the result of an arithmetic operation.
truth value can be determined) that the value of an
arithmetic expression, data item, nonnumeric literal, or reusable environment. A reusable environment is
index-name has a specific relationship to the value of created when you establish an assembler program as
another arithmetic expression, data item, nonnumeric the main program by using either the old COBOL
literal, or index name. See also relational operator. interfaces for preinitialization (functions ILBOSTP0 and
IGZERRE, and the RTEREUS run-time option), or the
* relational operator. A reserved word, a relation
Language Environment interface, CEEPIPI.
character, a group of consecutive reserved words, or a
group of consecutive reserved words and relation

Glossary 719
ring. In the COBOL editor, a set of files that are selection structure. A program processing logic in
available for editing so that you can easily more which one or another series of statements is executed,
between them. depending on whether a condition is true or false.

routine. A set of statements in a COBOL program that * sentence. A sequence of one or more statements, the
causes the computer to perform an operation or series last of which is terminated by a separator period.
of related operations. In Language Environment, refers
to either a procedure, function, or subroutine. * separately compiled program. A program that,
together with its contained programs, is compiled
* routine-name. A user-defined word that identifies a separately from all other programs.
procedure written in a language other than COBOL.
* separator. A character or two contiguous characters
* run time. The time at which an object program is used to delimit character strings.
executed. Synonymous with object time.
* separator comma. A comma (,) followed by a space
run-time environment. The environment in which a used to delimit character strings.
COBOL program executes.
* separator period. A period (.) followed by a space
* run unit. A stand-alone object program, or several used to delimit character strings.
object programs, that interact via COBOL CALL
statements, which function at run time as an entity. * separator semicolon. A semicolon (;) followed by a
space used to delimit character strings.

S sequence structure. A program processing logic in

which a series of statements is executed in sequential
SBCS. See single-byte character set (SBCS). order.

scope terminator. A COBOL reserved word that marks * sequential access. An access mode in which logical
the end of certain PROCEDURE DIVISION statements. It records are obtained from or placed into a file in a
can be either explicit (END-ADD, for example) or implicit consecutive predecessor-to-successor logical record
(separator period). sequence determined by the order of records in the file.

* section. A set of zero, one or more paragraphs or * sequential file. A file with sequential organization.
entities, called a section body, the first of which is
preceded by a section header. Each section consists of * sequential organization. The permanent logical file
the section header and the related section body. structure in which a record is identified by a
predecessor-successor relationship established when the
* section header. A combination of words followed by record is placed into the file.
a separator period that indicates the beginning of a
section in any of these divisions: ENVIRONMENT, DATA, or serial search. A search in which the members of a set
PROCEDURE. In the ENVIRONMENT DIVISION and DATA are consecutively examined, beginning with the first
DIVISION, a section header is composed of reserved member and ending with the last.
words followed by a separator period. The permissible
section headers in the ENVIRONMENT DIVISION are: session bean. In EJB, an enterprise bean that is created
by a client and that usually exists only for the duration
CONFIGURATION SECTION.
of a single client/server session. (Sun)
INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION.
* 77-level-description-entry. A data description entry
The permissible section headers in the DATA DIVISION that describes a noncontiguous data item with the
are: level-number 77.
FILE SECTION.
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION. * sign condition. The proposition (for which a truth
LOCAL-STORAGE SECTION. value can be determined) that the algebraic value of a
LINKAGE SECTION. data item or an arithmetic expression is either less than,
greater than, or equal to zero.
In the PROCEDURE DIVISION, a section header is
composed of a section-name, followed by the reserved signature. (1) The name of an operation and its
word SECTION, followed by a separator period. parameters. (2) The name of a method and the number
and types of its formal parameters.
* section-name. A user-defined word that names a
section in the PROCEDURE DIVISION. * simple condition. Any single condition chosen from
the set:

720 Programming Guide

 Relation condition Character Meaning
Class condition / Slant (virgule, slash)
Condition-name condition
= Equal sign
Switch-status condition
$ Currency sign
Sign condition
, Comma (decimal point)
See also condition and negated simple condition. ; Semicolon
. Period (decimal point, full
single-byte character set (SBCS). A set of characters stop)
in which each character is represented by a single byte. ” Quotation mark
See also EBCDIC (Extended Binary-Coded Decimal ( Left parenthesis
Interchange Code). ) Right parenthesis
> Greater than symbol
slack bytes. Bytes inserted between data items or
< Less than symbol
records to ensure correct alignment of some numeric
items. Slack bytes contain no meaningful data. In some : Colon
cases, they are inserted by the compiler; in others, it is
the responsibility of the programmer to insert them.
* special-character word. A reserved word that is an
The SYNCHRONIZED clause instructs the compiler to insert
arithmetic operator or a relation character.
slack bytes when they are needed for proper alignment.
Slack bytes between records are inserted by the SPECIAL-NAMES. The name of an ENVIRONMENT DIVISION
programmer. paragraph in which environment-names are related to
user-specified mnemonic-names.
* sort file. A collection of records to be sorted by a
SORT statement. The sort file is created and can be used * special names entry. An entry in the SPECIAL-NAMES
by the sort function only. paragraph of the ENVIRONMENT DIVISION; this entry
provides means for specifying the currency sign;
* sort-merge file description entry. An entry in the
choosing the decimal point; specifying symbolic
FILE SECTION of the DATA DIVISION that is composed of
characters; relating implementor-names to
the level indicator SD, followed by a file-name, and
user-specified mnemonic-names; relating
then followed by a set of file clauses as required.
alphabet-names to character sets or collating sequences;
* SOURCE-COMPUTER. The name of an ENVIRONMENT and relating class-names to sets of characters.
DIVISION paragraph in which the computer
* special registers. Certain compiler-generated storage
environment, where the source program is compiled, is
areas whose primary use is to store information
described.
produced in conjunction with the use of a specific
* source computer entry. An entry in the COBOL feature.
SOURCE-COMPUTER paragraph of the ENVIRONMENT
* standard data format. The concept used in
DIVISION; this entry contains clauses that describe the
describing the characteristics of data in a COBOL DATA
computer environment in which the source program is
DIVISION under which the characteristics or properties
to be compiled.
of the data are expressed in a form oriented to the
* source item. An identifier designated by a SOURCE appearance of the data on a printed page of infinite
clause that provides the value of a printable item. length and breadth, rather than a form oriented to the
manner in which the data is stored internally in the
source program. Although a source program can be computer, or on a particular external medium.
represented by other forms and symbols, in this
document the term always refers to a syntactically * statement. A syntactically valid combination of
correct set of COBOL statements. A COBOL source words, literals, and separators, beginning with a verb,
program commences with the IDENTIFICATION DIVISION written in a COBOL source program.
or a COPY statement and terminates with the end
STL file system. The Standard language file system is
program marker, if specified, or with the absence of
the native workstation file system for COBOL and
additional source program lines.
PL/I. This system supports sequential, relative, and
* special character. A character that belongs to the indexed files, including the full ANSI 85 COBOL
following set: standard input and output language and all of the
extensions described in Enterprise COBOL Language
Character Meaning Reference, unless exceptions are explicitly noted.
+ Plus sign
structured programming. A technique for organizing
- Minus sign (hyphen)
and coding a computer program in which the program
* Asterisk comprises a hierarchy of segments, each segment

Glossary 721
having a single entry point and a single exit point.
Control is passed downward through the structure
T
without unconditional branches to higher levels of the
* table. A set of logically consecutive items of data
hierarchy.
that are defined in the DATA DIVISION by means of the
* subclass. A class that inherits from another class. OCCURS clause.
When two classes in an inheritance relationship are
* table element. A data item that belongs to the set of
considered together, the subclass is the inheritor or
repeated items comprising a table.
inheriting class; the superclass is the inheritee or
inherited class. text deck. Synonym for object deck or object module.
* subject of entry. An operand or reserved word that * text-name. A user-defined word that identifies
appears immediately following the level indicator or library text.
the level-number in a DATA DIVISION entry.
* text word. A character or a sequence of contiguous
* subprogram. See called program. characters between margin A and margin R in a
COBOL library, source program, or pseudotext that is
* subscript. An occurrence number that is represented
any of the following characters:
by either an integer, a data-name optionally followed
by an integer with the operator + or -, or an v A separator, except for space; a pseudotext delimiter;
index-name optionally followed by an integer with the and the opening and closing delimiters for
operator + or -, that identifies a particular element in a nonnumeric literals. The right parenthesis and left
table. A subscript can be the word ALL when the parenthesis characters, regardless of context within
subscripted identifier is used as a function argument the library, source program, or pseudotext, are
for a function allowing a variable number of always considered text words.
arguments. v A literal including, in the case of nonnumeric literals,
the opening quotation mark and the closing
* subscripted data-name. An identifier that is quotation mark that bound the literal.
composed of a data-name followed by one or more
v Any other sequence of contiguous COBOL characters
subscripts enclosed in parentheses.
except comment lines and the word COPY bounded
* superclass. A class that is inherited by another class. by separators that are neither a separator nor a
See also subclass. literal.

surrogate pair. In the UTF-16 format of Unicode, a thread. A stream of computer instructions (initiated by
pair of encoding units that together represents a single an application within a process) that is in control of a
Unicode character. The first unit of the pair is called a process.
high surrogate and the second a low surrogate. The code
token. In the COBOL editor, a unit of meaning in a
value of a high surrogate is in the range X’D800’
program. A token can contain data, a language
through X’DBFF’. The code value of a low surrogate is
keyword, an identifier, or other part of the language
in the range X’DC00’ through X’DFFF’. Surrogate pairs
syntax.
provide for more characters than the 65,536 characters
that fit in the Unicode 16-bit coded character set. top-down design. The design of a computer program
using a hierarchic structure in which related functions
switch-status condition. The proposition (for which a
are performed at each level of the structure.
truth value can be determined) that an UPSI switch,
capable of being set to an on or off status, has been set top-down development. See structured programming.
to a specific status.
trailer-label. (1) A file or data set label that follows the
* symbolic-character. A user-defined word that data records on a unit of recording medium. (2)
specifies a user-defined figurative constant. Synonym for end-of-file label.
syntax. (1) The relationship among characters or troubleshoot. To detect, locate, and eliminate
groups of characters, independent of their meanings or problems in using computer software.
the manner of their interpretation and use. (2) The
structure of expressions in a language. (3) The rules * truth value. The representation of the result of the
governing the structure of a language. (4) The evaluation of a condition in terms of one of two values:
relationship among symbols. (5) The rules for the true or false.
construction of a statement.
typed object reference. A data-name that can refer
* system-name. A COBOL word that is used to only to an object of a specified class or any of its
communicate with the operating environment. subclasses.

722 Programming Guide

U * variably located item. A data item following, and
not subordinate to, a variable-length table in the same
record.
* unary operator. A plus (+) or a minus (-) sign that
precedes a variable or a left parenthesis in an * verb. A word that expresses an action to be taken by
arithmetic expression and that has the effect of a COBOL compiler or object program.
multiplying the expression by +1 or -1, respectively.
VSAM file system. A file system that supports
Unicode. A universal character encoding standard that COBOL sequential, relative, and indexed organizations.
supports the interchange, processing, and display of This file system is available as part of IBM VisualAge
text that is written in any of the languages of the COBOL and enables you to read and write files on
modern world. There are multiple encoding schemes to remote systems such as z/OS.
represent Unicode, including UTF-8, UTF-16, and
UTF-32. Enterprise COBOL supports Unicode using volume. A module of external storage. For tape
UTF-16 (CCSID 01200), in big-endian format, as the devices it is a reel; for direct-access devices it is a unit.
representation for the national data type.
volume switch procedures. System-specific
unit. A module of direct access, the dimensions of procedures that are executed automatically when the
which are determined by IBM. end of a unit or reel has been reached before end-of-file
has been reached.
universal object reference. A data-name that can refer
to an object of any class.
W
unrestricted storage. Storage below the 2-GB bar. It
can be above or below the 16-MB line. If it is above the windowed date field. A date field containing a
16-MB line, it is addressable only in 31-bit mode. windowed (two-digit) year. See also date field and
windowed year.
* unsuccessful execution. The attempted execution of
a statement that does not result in the execution of all windowed year. A date field that consists only of a
the operations specified by that statement. The two-digit year. This two-digit year can be interpreted
unsuccessful execution of a statement does not affect using a century window. For example, 05 could be
any data referenced by that statement, but can affect interpreted as 2005. See also century window. Compare
status indicators. with expanded year.

UPSI switch. A program switch that performs the * word. A character string of not more than 30
functions of a hardware switch. Eight are provided: characters that forms a user-defined word, a
UPSI-0 through UPSI-7. system-name, a reserved word, or a function-name.

* user-defined word. A COBOL word that must be * WORKING-STORAGE SECTION. The section of the DATA
supplied by the user to satisfy the format of a clause or DIVISION that describes working-storage data items,
statement. composed either of noncontiguous items or
working-storage records or of both.
V workstation. A generic term for computers used by
end users including personal computers, 3270
* variable. A data item whose value can be changed terminals, intelligent workstations, and UNIX terminals.
by execution of the object program. A variable used in Often a workstation is connected to a mainframe or to
an arithmetic expression must be a numeric elementary a network.
item.
wrapper. An object that provides an interface between
* variable-length record. A record associated with a object-oriented code and procedure-oriented code.
file whose file description or sort-merge description Using wrappers allows programs to be reused and
entry permits records to contain a varying number of accessed by other systems.
character positions.

* variable-occurrence data item. A variable-occurrence X

data item is a table element that is repeated a variable
number of times. Such an item must contain an OCCURS x. The symbol in a PICTURE clause that can hold any
DEPENDING ON clause in its data description entry or be character in the character set of the computer.
subordinate to such an item.
XML. Extensible Markup Language. A standard
* variably located group. A group item following, and metalanguage for defining markup languages that was
not subordinate to, a variable-length table in the same derived from and is a subset of SGML. XML omits the
record. more complex and less-used parts of SGML and makes

Glossary 723
it much easier to write applications to handle
document types, author and manage structured
information, and transmit and share structured
information across diverse computing systems. The use
of XML does not require the robust applications and
processing that is necessary for SGML. XML is
developed under the auspices of the World Wide Web
Consortium (W3C).

XML declaration. XML text that specifies

characteristics of the XML document such as the
version of XML being used and the encoding of the
document.

XML type definition. An XML element that contains

or points to markup declarations that provide a
grammar for a class of documents. This grammar is
known as a document type definition, or DTD.

Y
year field expansion. Explicitly expanding date fields
that contain two-digit years to contain four-digit years
in files and databases and then using these fields in
expanded form in programs. This is the only method
for assuring reliable date processing for applications
that have used two-digit years.

Z
zoned decimal item. See external decimal item.

724 Programming Guide

List of resources
Application Programming Reference, SC34-5994
Enterprise COBOL for z/OS and
OS/390 Customization Guide, SC34-5989
Compiler and Run-Time Migration Guide, GC27-1409
External Interfaces Guide, SC34-6006
Customization Guide, GC27-1410
z/OS C/C++
Debug Tool Reference and Messages, SC18-7172
Programming Guide, SC09-4765
Debug Tool User’s Guide, SC18-7171
Run-Time Library Reference, SA22-7821
Fact Sheet, GC27-1407
DB2 UDB for OS/390 and z/OS
Language Reference, SC27-1408
Application Programming and SQL Guide, SC26-9933
Licensed Program Specifications, GC27-1411
Command Reference, SC26-9934
Programming Guide, SC27-1412
SQL Reference, SC26-9944

Related publications z/OS DFSMS

VisualAge COBOL Access Method Services for Catalogs, SC26-7394
Fact Sheet, GC26-9052 Checkpoint/Restart, SC26-7401
Getting Started, GC27-0811 Macro Instructions for Data Sets, SC26-7408
Language Reference, SC26-9046 Program Management, SC27-1130
Programming Guide, SC27-0812 Using Data Sets, SC26-7410
Visual Builder User’s Guide, SC26-9053 Utilities, SC26-7414
COBOL Set for AIX DFSORT
Fact Sheet, GC26-8484 Application Programming Guide, SC33-4035
Getting Started, GC26-8425 Installation and Customization, SC33-4034
Language Reference, SC26-9046 IMS
LPEX User’s Guide and Reference, SC09-2202 Application Programming: Database Manager,
SC26-9422
Program Builder User’s Guide, SC09-2201
Application Programming: Design Guide, SC26-9423
Programming Guide, SC26-8423
Application Programming: EXEC DLI Commands for
CICS Transaction Server for z/OS
CICS and IMS, SC26-9424
Application Programming Guide, SC34-5993

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 725

Application Programming: Transaction Manager, z/Architecture
SC26-9425
Principles of Operation, SA22-7832
IMS Connect Guide and Reference, SC27-0946
Softcopy publications for z/OS
IMS Java User’s Guide, SC27-0832
The following collection kit contains z/OS and
z/OS ISPF related product publications:

Dialog Developer’s Guide and Reference, SC34-4821 z/OS CD Collection Kit, SK3T-4269

User’s Guide Vol. 1, SC34-4822 Unicode and character representation

User’s Guide Vol. 2, SC34-4823 Unicode, www.unicode.org/

z/OS Language Environment Character Data Representation Architecture Reference

and Registry, SC09-2190
Concepts Guide, SA22-7567
z/OS Support for Unicode: Using Conversion Services,
Customization, SA22-7564 SA22-7649

Debugging Guide, GA22-7560 Java

Programming Guide, SA22-7561 The Java Language Specification, Second Edition, by

Gosling et al., java.sun.com/docs/books/jls/
Programming Reference, SA22-7562 second_edition/html/j.title.doc.html/

Run-Time Messages, SA22-7566 The Java Native Interface, java.sun.com/j2se/

1.3/docs/guide/jni/index.html
Run-Time Migration Guide, GA22-7565
Java 2 on the OS/390 and z/OS Platforms,
Writing Interlanguage Communication Applications, www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/zseries/
SA22-7563 software/java/

z/OS MVS The Java 2 Enterprise Edition Developer’s Guide,

java.sun.com/j2ee/j2sdkee/devguide1_2_1.pdf
JCL Reference, SA22-7597
New IBM Technology featuring Persistent Reusable
JCL User’s Guide, SA22-7598 Java Virtual Machines, www.ibm.com/servers/
eserver/zseries/software/java/pdf/jtc0a100.pdf
System Commands, SA22-7627
WebSphere Application Server for z/OS
z/OS TSO/E
Assembling J2EE Applications, SA22-7836
Command Reference, SA22-7782
XML
User’s Guide, SA22-7794
XML specification, www.w3c.org/XML/
z/OS UNIX System Services

Command Reference, SA22-7802

Programming: Assembler Callable Services Reference,

SA22-7803

User’s Guide, SA22-7801

726 Programming Guide

Index
Special characters adding records
to line-sequential files 177
AMODE
assigned for EXIT modules 613
_BPX_SHAREAS environment to QSAM files 131 description 34
variable 401 to VSAM files 161 switching 413
_CEE_ENVFILE environment ADDRESS special register, CALL AMP parameter 169
variable 283, 399 statement 424 ANNUITY intrinsic function 52
_CEE_RUNOPTS environment addresses ANSI85 translator option 381
variable 397, 399 incrementing 428 APIs, UNIX and POSIX
_IGZ_SYSOUT environment variable NULL value 427 calling 400
setting 399 passing between programs 427 APOST compiler option 316
writing to stdout/stderr 31 passing entry point addresses 420 APPLY WRITE-ONLY clause 12
-# cob2 option 274 addressing mode 34 arguments
-b cob2 option 273 ADEXIT suboption of EXIT compiler describing in calling program 424
-c cob2 command 273 option 611, 618 specifying OMITTED 425
-comprc_ok cob2 option 273 ADMODE attribute testing for OMITTED 425
-e cob2 option with multithreading 455 testing for OMITTED arguments 425
specifying entry point 273 adt extension with cob2 274 ARITH compiler option 291
-g cob2 option ADV compiler option 291 arithmetic
TEST option 273 AIXBLD run-time option COMPUTE statement simpler to
-I cob2 option affect on performance 567 code 47
searching copybooks 273 ALL subscript 49, 73 error handling 223
-l cob2 option ALL31 run-time option with intrinsic functions 48
specifying archive library name 274 AMODE switching 413 arithmetic comparisons 54
-L cob2 option multioption interaction 34 arithmetic evaluation
specifying archive library path 274 ALLOCATE command (TSO) data format conversion 43
-o cob2 option compiler data sets 249 examples 53, 55
specifying output file 274 with HFS files 250 fixed-point versus floating-point 53
-q cob2 option allocating data sets under TSO 249 intermediate results 577
specifying compiler options 274 allocation of files performance tips 555
-v cob2 option 274 description 117 precedence 48, 579
.asm file 306 line-sequential 175 precision 577
.wlist file 306 QSAM 134 arithmetic expression
*CBL statement 332 VSAM 168 as reference modifier 94
*CONTROL statement 332 ALPHABET clause, establishing collating description of 47
sequence 8 in nonarithmetic statement 586
alphabetic data in parentheses 47
Numerics comparing to national 111 with MLE 543
16-MB line alphanumeric data arithmetic operation
IMS programs 378 comparing to national 111 with MLE 539, 543
performance options 563 alphanumeric date fields, arrays
24-bit addressing mode 34 contracting 548 in COBOL 33
31-bit addressing mode 34 alphanumeric literal Java 506
dynamic call 413 alphanumeric to DBCS ASCII
5203 - 5206 conditions 620 conversion 593 alphabet, QSAM 143
64-bit addressing conversion of mixed converting to EBCDIC 98
no support 34 DBCS/EBCDIC 593 file labels 145
DBCS to alphanumeric job control language (JCL) 144
conversion 595 record formats, QSAM 144
A with double-byte characters 593
alternate collating sequence 9, 188
standard labels 145
tape files, QSAM 143
a extension with cob2 274 alternate entry point 421 user labels 145
a.out file from cob2 274 alternate index ASCII files
abends, compile-time 300 creating 166 CODE-SET clause 13
ACCEPT statement example of 168 OPTCD= parameter in DCB 13
assigning input 29 password for 164 asm file 306
reading from stdin 29 path 167, 168 assembler
access method services performance considerations 171 expansion of PROCEDURE
build alternate indexes in ALTERNATE RECORD KEY 167 DIVISION 356
advance 171 alternate reserved-word table from LIST option 560
defining VSAM data sets, z/OS 165 CICS 382 programs
loading a VSAM data set 159 specifying 329 calls from (in CICS) 377
ADATA compiler option 290

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1991, 2002 727

assembler (continued) blocking factor 121 calls (continued)
programs (continued) blocking QSAM files 127 to JNI services 501
compiling from 251 blocking records 127 to Language Environment callable
listing of 306, 560 BPXBATCH utility services 573
ASSIGN clause calling UNIX programs 398 CANCEL statement
corresponds to ddname 10 running OO applications 282 handling of programs name in 314
QSAM files 120 branch, implicit 83 with dynamic CALL 412
assigning values 25 buffer, best use of 12 case structure 77
Associated Data File buffers, obtaining for QSAM 140 cataloged procedure
creating 257 BUFOFF= 144 JCL for compiling 238
assumed century window for BUFSIZE compiler option 292 to compile (IGYWC) 239
nondates 538 byte-stream files to compile and link-edit
asynchronous signals processing with QSAM 140 (IGYWCL) 240
with multithreading 455 to compile, link-edit, run
AT END (end-of-file) 226 (IGYWCLG) 241
ATTACH macro 251
attribute methods 473
C to compile, load, run (IGYWCG) 242
to compile, prelink, link-edit
C/C++ programs
ATTRIBUTE-CHARACTER XML (IGYWCPL) 243
with COBOL DLLs 446
event 204 to compile, prelink, link-edit, run
CALL command (TSO) 249
ATTRIBUTE-CHARACTERS XML (IGYWCPLG) 245
CALL identifier
event 204 to compile, prelink, load, run
making from DLLs 441
ATTRIBUTE-NAME XML event 204 (IGYWCPG) 247
CALL statement
ATTRIBUTE-NATIONAL-CHARACTER to prelink and link-edit
. . . USING 424
XML event 204 (IGYWPL) 246
AMODE processing 413
automatic restart 523 cbl extension with cob2 274
BY CONTENT 423
avoiding coding errors 553 CBL statement 258, 332
BY REFERENCE 424
AWO compiler option CBLPSHPOP run-time option 383
BY VALUE 423
APPLY-WRITE ONLY clause CBLQDA run-time option 130
CICS restrictions 377
performance 12 CCSID
effect of DYNAM compiler
description 292 conflict 217
option 301
performance considerations 563 definition of 105
effect of EXIT option on registers 613
of PARSE statement 217
exception condition 233
of XML document 213, 217
for error handling 233
B function-pointer 421
century window
assumed for nondates 538
backward branches 554 handling of programs name in 314
fixed 530
Base class identifier 413
sliding 530
equating to java.lang.Object 464 overflow condition 233
chained list processing 427, 428
using for java.lang.Object 464 to alternate entry points 421
changing
base cluster name 168 to invoke Language Environment
characters to numbers 97
base locator 352, 353 callable services 573
file-name 11
basis libraries 255 using DYNAM compiler option 413
title on source listing 7
BASIS statement 332 using NODYNAM compiler
CHAR intrinsic function 99
batch compile option 413
character set 105
compiler option hierarchy with CANCEL 412
CHECK(OFF) run-time option 563
example 263 with ON EXCEPTION 233
checking for valid data
description 261 with ON OVERFLOW 20, 233
conditional expressions 79
binary data item calls
numeric 46
general description 41 31-bit addressing mode 413
checkpoint
intermediate results 582 AMODE switching for 24-bit
COBOL 85 Standard 520
synonyms 39 programs 413
designing 520
using efficiently 41, 555 between COBOL and non-COBOL
messages generated during 522
binary search of a table 72 programs 407
methods 519
binding OO applications 282 between COBOL programs 407, 410
multiple 520, 522
example 283 CICS restrictions 377
record data set 521
BLOCK CONTAINS clause dynamic 411
restart data sets 525
FILE SECTION entry 13 dynamic performance 413
restart during DFSORT 196
no meaning for VSAM files 154 exception condition 233
restart job control sample 525
QSAM files 121, 127 interlanguage 407
restrictions 520
block size LINKAGE SECTION 425
single 520
ASCII files 144 overflow condition 233
disk 521
QSAM files 127 passing arguments 424
tape 521
fixed length 121 passing data 423
Chinese GB 18030 data
record layout 123 receiving parameters 425
converting 110
using DCB 135 recursive 419
processing 110
variable length 122 specifying OMITTED arguments 425
CHKPT keyword 196
system determined 127 static 410
system-determined 255 static performance 413

728 Programming Guide

CICS closing files (continued) coding (continued)
CALL statement 377 multithreading 133 efficiently 553
calls 377 VSAM 162 ENVIRONMENT DIVISION 7
CICS HANDLE 383 multithreading 163 EVALUATE statement 77
example 383 closing files, automatic factory definition 488
LABEL value 383 line-sequential 177 factory methods 489
CICS option 378 QSAM 132 file input/output (overview) 113
COBOL 85 Standard VSAM 162 IDENTIFICATION DIVISION 5
considerations 381 cluster, VSAM 165 IF statement 75
coding input 376 cob2 command input 376
coding output 376 compiling and linking with 271 input/output overview 116
coding programs to run under 375 examples 272 input/output statements
coding restrictions 375 description 273 for line-sequential files 175
command-level interface 375 examples 272 for QSAM files 129
commands and the PROCEDURE input and output 274 for VSAM files 155
DIVISION 375 options 273 instance methods 467, 487
compiler restrictions 375, 380 with Java and OO 277 interoperable data types 506
compiling under integrated COBJVMINITOPTIONS environment loops 79, 82
translator 380 variable 280, 399 OO programs 459
compiling under separate COBOL output 376
translator 381 and Java 501 PROCEDURE DIVISION 17
developing programs for 375 binding 282 programs to run under IMS 391
in a multithreaded environment 454 compiling under UNIX 277 restrictions for programs for
integrated translator 380 compiling using JCL or CICS 375
macro-level interface 375 TSO/E 281 restrictions for programs for IMS 391
performance considerations 566 linking 278 subclass definition 484
reserved-word table 382 running 279, 283 tables 59
restrictions under z/OS 378 structuring applications 498 techniques 12, 553
sorting 197 under IMS 392 test conditions 80
statements object-oriented collating sequence
EXIT compiler option and 620 binding 282 alternate 8, 9
system date 376 compiling under UNIX 277 EBCDIC 8
CICS compiler option compiling using JCL or HIGH-VALUE 8
description 293 TSO/E 281 LOW-VALUE 8
multioption interaction 289 linking 278 MERGE 8
CICS ECI under IMS 392 nonnumeric comparisons 8
return code 378 COBOL 85 Standard SEARCH ALL 8
CISZ (control interval size), performance checkpoints 520 SORT 8
considerations 171, 567 considerations for CICS 381 specifying 8
CKPT keyword 196 required compiler options 289 symbolic character in the 9
class required run-time options 289 the ordinal position of a character 99
defining 462 COBOL client, example 492 columns in tables 59
definition of 459 COBOL DLL programs, calling 444 COMMENT XML event 203
factory data 489 COBOL language usage with SQL COMMON attribute 6, 416
instance data 466 statements 385, 386 COMP (COMPUTATIONAL) 41
name COBOL terms 23 COMP-1 (COMPUTATIONAL-1) 42, 556
external 465, 477 COBOPT environment variable 269 COMP-2 (COMPUTATIONAL-2) 42, 556
in a program 464 code COMP-3 (COMPUTATIONAL-3) 42
object 488 copy 569 COMP-4 (COMPUTATIONAL-4) 41
obtaining reference with JNI 502 optimized 560, 562 COMP-5 (COMPUTATIONAL-5) 41
class condition code pages comparing
coding 79 definition of 105 national and alphabetic or
numeric 46 euro currency support 56 alphanumeric 111
test 79, 339 specifying 294 national and group 111
CLASSPATH environment variable 280, code point 105 national and numeric 111
282, 399 CODE-SET clause 13 national data 111
client CODEPAGE compiler option object references 479
defining 475 description 294 of date fields 534
definition of 475 for national literals 106 COMPAT suboption of PGMNAME 314
CLOSE statement with conversions 108 compatibility mode 37, 577
line-sequential files 175 coding compatible dates
QSAM 129 class definition 462 in comparisons 534
VSAM 155 clients 475 with MLE 535
closing files condition tests 80 compilation
line-sequential 177 constructor methods 489 COBOL 85 Standard 289
multithreading serialization 452 DATA DIVISION 12 results 259
QSAM 132 decisions 75, 79 statistics 350

Index 729
compilation (continued) compiler options (continued) compiling (continued)
with HFS files 240 EXIT 301, 611 control of 258
COMPILE compiler option EXPORTALL 301 data sets for 253
description 294 FASTSRT 191, 302, 563 from an assembler program 251
use NOCOMPILE to find syntax FLAG 302, 344 OO applications
errors 342 FLAGSTD 303 example 279, 283
compile-time considerations for debugging 341 under UNIX 277
compiler directed errors 266 IMS, recommended for 391 using JCL or TSO/E 281
display compile and link steps 274 in effect 359 under TSO 249
error message severity 267 INTDATE 304 under UNIX 269
executing compile and link steps after LANGUAGE 305 under z/OS 237
display 274 LIB 306 using shell script 275
compile-time dump, generating 300 LINECOUNT 306 using the cob2 command 271
compile-time error messages LIST 306, 347, 350 examples 272
choosing severity to be flagged 344 MAP 307, 346, 347, 350 with cataloged procedures 238
determining what severity level to NAME 308 compile 239
produce 302 NOCOMPILE 342 compile and link-edit 240
embedding in source listing 344 NOFASTSRT 193 compile, link-edit, run 241
compiler NSYMBOL 309 compile, load, run 242
calculation of intermediate NUMBER 309, 348 compile, prelink, link-edit 243
results 578 NUMPROC 310 compile, prelink, link-edit,
generating list of error messages 265 NUMPROC(PFD) 563 run 245
invoking in the UNIX shell 271 NUMPROC(PFD|NOPFD|MIG) 45 compile, prelink, load, run 247
examples 272 OBJECT 311 with JCL (job control language) 237
limits 12 OFFSET 312, 350 compiling and linking in the UNIX
compiler data sets on compiler invocation 350 shell 271
in the HFS 239, 248 OPTIMIZE 312, 560, 563 examples 272
input and output 253 OUTDD 313 OO applications
required for compilation 253 performance considerations 563 example 279
SYSADATA (ADATA records) 257 PGMNAME 314 completion code, sort 190
SYSDEBUG (debug records) 257 precedence of 258 complex OCCURS DEPENDING ON
SYSIN (source code) 255 QUOTE 316 basic forms of 587
SYSJAVA 257 RENT 316, 563 complex ODO item 587
SYSLIB (libraries) 255 RMODE 317 variably located data item 588
SYSLIN (object code) 256 RMODE and performance 563 variably located group 588
SYSOUT (listing) 256 SEQUENCE 318, 343 computation
SYSPUNCH (object code) 256 settings for COBOL 85 Standard 289 arithmetic data items 555
SYSTERM (messages) 256 signature bytes 359 constant data items 554
with cob2 274 SIZE 318 duplicate 555
compiler error messages SOURCE 319, 347 subscript 558
from exit modules 619 SPACE 319 COMPUTATIONAL (COMP) 41
sending to terminal 256 specifying 258 COMPUTATIONAL-1 (COMP-1) 42, 556
compiler listings PROCESS (CBL) statement 258 COMPUTATIONAL-2 (COMP-2) 42, 556
getting 347 specifying under TSO 259 COMPUTATIONAL-3 (COMP-3)
compiler messages specifying under UNIX 270 date fields, potential problems 548
analyzing 546 specifying under z/OS 259 description 42
compiler options SQL 320, 387 COMPUTATIONAL-4 (COMP-4) 41
ADATA 290 SSRANGE 321, 343, 563 COMPUTATIONAL-5 (COMP-5) 41
APOST 316 status 350 computer, describing 7
ARITH 291 TERMINAL 321 concatenating data items 87
AWO 292 TEST 322, 350, 371, 563 condition handling 132, 162, 571
AWO and performance 563 THREAD 325 in input or output procedures 185
batch hierarchy example 263 TRUNC 326 condition testing 80
BUFSIZE 292 TRUNC(STD|OPT|BIN) 563 condition-name 537
CICS 293 under CICS 378 conditional expression
CODEPAGE 294 under IMS and CICS 378 EVALUATE statement 76
COMPILE 294 VBREF 329, 347 IF statement 75
conflicting 289 WORD 329 PERFORM statement 84
CURRENCY 295 XREF 330, 345 with national data 79
DATA 296 YEARWINDOW 331 conditional statement
DATEPROC 297 ZWB 331 in EVALUATE statement 76
DBCS 298 compiler-directing statements list of 19
DECK 298 description 332 overview 19
DIAGTRUNC 299 list 20 with NOT phrase 19
DLL 299 overview 20 with object references 479
DUMP 300 compiling CONFIGURATION SECTION 7
DYNAM 301, 563 batch 261 conflicting compiler options 289

730 Programming Guide

conformance requirements copybook (continued) DATA DIVISION (continued)
RETURNING phrase 481 using 569 factory data 489
USING phrase 480 counting data items 95 factory method 490
conformance to COBOL 85 Standard creating FD entry 12
required compiler options 289 Associated Data File 257 FILE SECTION 12
constant line-sequential files, z/OS 175 instance data 466, 486
computations 554 object code 256 instance method 469
data items 554 objects 482 items present in 361
figurative 24 QSAM files, z/OS 134, 135 limits 12
contained program integration 561 SYSJAVA data set 257 LINKAGE SECTION 16
CONTENT-CHARACTER XML cross-reference listing 347
event 206 data and procedure names 345 mapping of items 307, 347
CONTENT-CHARACTERS XML embedded 347 OCCURS clause 59
event 205 list 330 restrictions 12
CONTENT-NATIONAL-CHARACTER program-name 369 signature bytes 361
XML event 206 special definition symbols 369 WORKING-STORAGE SECTION 12
continuation verb list 329 data item
entry 195 verbs 347 alphanumeric with double-byte
syntax checking 295 CRP (file position indicator) 157, 160 characters 593
CONTINUE statement 76 CURRENCY compiler option 295 coding Java types 505
contracting alphanumeric dates 548 currency signs common, in subprogram linkage 425
control euro 56 concatenating 87
in nested programs 416 hex literals 56 converting characters to numbers 97
program flow 75 multiple-character 55 converting to uppercase or
transfer 408 using 55 lowercase 97
control interval size (CISZ), performance CURRENT-DATE intrinsic function 52 converting with INSPECT 95
considerations 171, 567 converting with intrinsic
CONTROL statement 332 functions 96
converting data items
between code pages 98
D counting 95
DBCS 593
D format record 122, 123
characters to numbers 97 evaluating with intrinsic functions 99
DASD (direct-access storage device) 171
Chinese GB 18030 110 finding the smallest or largest in
data
data formats 43 group 99
concatenating 87
INSPECT statement 95 index 62
converting, alphanumeric to
national data map 259
DBCS 593
exceptions 108 numeric 37
converting, DBCS to
with ACCEPT 29 reference modification 92
alphanumeric 593
with DISPLAY 30 referencing substrings 92
efficient execution 553
with DISPLAY-OF 108 replacing 95
format conversion 43
with MOVE 107 reversing characters 97
format, numeric types 39
with NATIONAL-OF 107 splitting 89
grouping 426
reversing order of characters 97 unused 312, 353
incompatible 46
to integers 95 variably located 588
joining 87
to uppercase or lowercase 97 data manipulation
naming 13
UTF-8 109 DBCS data 593
numeric 37
with intrinsic functions 96 nonnumeric data 87
passing 423
converting files to expanded date form, DATA RECORDS clause 13
record size 13
example 533 data set
splitting 89
coprocessor, DB2 388 alternate data set names 251
validating 46
copy libraries checkpoint record 521
data and procedure name cross-reference,
COPY statement 332 checkpoint/restart 525
description 345
data set 253 defining with environment
data areas, dynamic 301
example 570 variable 117
DATA compiler option
search order 333 JAVAERR 283
description 296
specifying 255 JAVAIN 283
influencing data location 35
SYSLIB 255 JAVAOUT 283
multioption interaction 34
UNIX search order 270, 273 names, alternate 252
performance considerations 563
COPY statement output 256
when passing data 34
example 570 source code 255
data definition 352
nested 569, 615 SYSADATA 257
data description entry 12
UNIX considerations 333 SYSDEBUG 257
DATA DIVISION
z/OS considerations 255 SYSIN 255
client 478
copybook SYSJAVA 257
coding 12
description 332 SYSLIB 255
description 12
obtaining from user-supplied SYSLIN 256
entries for line-sequential files 174
module 611 SYSPRINT 256
entries for QSAM files 120
searching for 273, 333 SYSPUNCH 256
entries for VSAM files 154

Index 731
data set (continued) DD control statement (continued) developing programs for CICS 375
SYSTERM 256 creating QSAM files 134, 135 device
used interchangeably for file 7 DCB overrides data set label 135 classes 253
data sets define file 10 requirements 253
required for compilation, z/OS 253 defining sort data sets 185 DFCOMMAREA parameter for
used for compilation 253 JAVAERR 283 CALL 377
data-definition attribute codes 352 JAVAIN 283 DFHEIBLK parameter for CALL 377
data-name JAVAOUT 283 DFSORT
cross-reference 368 RLS parameter 170 using 185
cross-reference list 259 SYSADATA 257 diagnostic messages
in MAP listing 352 SYSDEBUG 257 from millennium language
OMITTED 13 SYSIN 255 extensions 546
password for VSAM files 164 SYSJAVA 257 diagnostics, program 350
date and time operations SYSLIB 255 DIAGTRUNC compiler option 299
Language Environment callable SYSLIN 256 direct-access
services 571 SYSPRINT 256 direct indexing 63
date arithmetic 543 SYSPUNCH 256 file organization 114
date comparisons 534 ddname definition 10 storage device (DASD) 171
date field expansion deadlock directories
advantages 530 in I/O error declarative 227 adding a path to 273
description 532 Debug Tool where error listing file is written 266
date fields compiler options for maximum DISK compiler option 287
potential problems 548 support 371 DISPLAY (USAGE IS)
date operations description 337 encoding 106
intrinsic functions 33 debugging external decimal 40
date processing with internal bridges and performance 323 DISPLAY statement
advantages 530 approaches 337 directing output 313
date windowing defining data set 257 displaying data values 30
advantages 530 dynamic 323 interaction with OUTDD 30
example 536 useful compiler options 341 using in debugging 338
how to control 545 using COBOL language features 338 writing to stdout/stderr 31
MLE approach 530 debugging, language features DISPLAY-OF intrinsic function
when not supported 536 class test 339 using 108
DATE-COMPILED paragraph 5 debugging declaratives 340 with XML document 213
DATE-OF-INTEGER intrinsic file status keys 339 DLL compiler option
function 52 INITIALIZE statements 339 description 299
DATEPROC compiler option scope terminators 338 for Java interoperability 277, 281
analyzing warning-level diagnostic SET statements 339 for OO COBOL 277, 281
messages 546 DECK compiler option 298 multioption interaction 289
description 297 declarative procedures DLL igzcjava.x
DATEVAL intrinsic function 545 EXCEPTION/ERROR 227 binding with 282
DB2 with multithreading 227 example 283
COBOL language usage with SQL LABEL 142 linking with 278
statements 385, 386 USE FOR DEBUGGING 340 example 279
coding considerations 385 deferred restart 523 DLL libjvm.x
coprocessor 388 defining binding with 282
options 387 debug data set 257 example 283
return codes 387 files, overview 10, 113 linking with 278
SQL DECLARE statement 385 libraries 255 example 279
SQL INCLUDE statement 385 line-sequential files with EBCDIC services 511
SQL statements 385 to z/OS 175 DLLs (see dynamic link libraries) 437
DBCS QSAM files do loop 84
compiler option 289, 298 to z/OS 134, 135 do-until 84
converting 111, 593 sort files do-while 84
encoding 106 under z/OS 185 DOCUMENT-TYPE-DECLARATION
user-defined words in XREF VSAM files 165 XML event 203
output 345 to z/OS 165 documentation of program 7
DBCS compiler option DELETE statement DSA memory map 356
for Java interoperability 277, 281 compiler-directing 332 dump
for OO COBOL 277, 281 multithreading serialization 452 with DUMP compiler option 259
DBCSXREF 346 VSAM, coding 155 DUMP compiler option
dbg extension with cob2 274 deleting records from VSAM file 162 description 300
DCB 129 delimited scope statement multioption interaction 289
DD control statement description of 19 output 259
AMP parameter 169 nested 21 duplicate computations 555
ASCII tape files 144 DEPENDING ON option 122, 154 DYNAM compiler option
creating line-sequential files 175 depth in tables 60 description 301

732 Programming Guide

DYNAM compiler option (continued) ENVIRONMENT DIVISION (continued) evaluating data item contents (continued)
performance considerations 563 entries for QSAM files 119 INSPECT statement 95
dynamic calls entries for VSAM files 149 intrinsic functions 99
using with DLL linkage 442 INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION 7 exception condition 233
dynamic data areas, allocating instance method 469 exception handling
storage 35 items present in, program with Java 502
dynamic debugging 323 initialization code 361 EXCEPTION XML event 207
dynamic file allocation 117, 130 signature bytes 361 EXCEPTION/ERROR declarative
dynamic link libraries subclass 486 description 227
about 437 environment variables file status key 229
compiling 438 _BPX_SHAREAS 401 line-sequential error processing 178
creating 437 _CEE_ENVFILE 283, 399 QSAM error processing 133
creating for OO 278 _CEE_RUNOPTS 397, 399 VSAM error processing 163
for Java interoperability 278 _IGZ_SYSOUT 399 EXEC control statement 522
in OO COBOL applications 446 and copybooks 333 EXIT compiler option
linking 439 CLASSPATH 280, 282, 399 considerations for SQL and CICS
prelinking 441 COBJVMINITOPTIONS 280, 399 statements 620
search order for in HFS 442 COBOPT 269 description 301
using CALL indentifer with 441 defining files, example 10 using 611
using with C/C++ programs 446 defining line-sequential files 175 with the DUMP compiler option 289
using with dynamic calls 442 defining QSAM files 134 exit modules
using with Java interoperability 279 example of setting and accessing 400 called for SYSADATA data set 618
using with OO 279 LIBPATH 280, 282, 399 error messages generated 619
library-name 270, 332 loading and invoking 613
PATH 282, 399 used in place of library-name 614
E setting and accessing 398
setting for the compiler 269
used in place of SYSLIB 614
used in place of SYSPRINT 617
E-level error message 267, 344
STEPLIB 271, 399 EXIT PROGRAM statement
EBCDIC
SYSLIB 270, 277 in subprogram 408
converting to ASCII 98
text-name 270, 332 with multithreading 408
JNI services 510
using to allocate files 117 expanded IF statement 75
ECI calls and register 15 378
environment-name 7 explicit scope terminator 20
efficiency of coding 553
ERRMSG, for generating list of error exponentiation
EJECT statement 332
messages 265 evaluated in fixed-point
embedded cross-reference
error arithmetic 580
description 347
arithmetic 223 evaluated in floating-point
example 369
compiler options, conflicting 289 arithmetic 585
embedded error messages 344
handling 221 performance tips 556
embedded MAP summary 346, 353
handling for input-output 118 EXPORTALL compiler option
empty VSAM file, opening 157
listing 259 description 301
enclave 407
message table, example 66 multioption interaction 289
encoding
messages, compiler 266 extended mode 37, 577
description 106
choosing severity to be external class-name 465, 477
language characters 105
flagged 344 EXTERNAL clause
XML documents 213
embedding in source listing 344 example for files 432, 433
ENCODING-DECLARATION XML
sending to terminal 256 for data items 431
event 203
processing, line-sequential files 178 for files 13
END-OF-CDATA-SECTION XML
processing, QSAM files 133 used for input/output 432
event 207
processing, VSAM files 163 external data
END-OF-DOCUMENT XML event 207
error messages obtaining storage for 35
END-OF-ELEMENT XML event 205, 206
compiler-directed 266 sharing 431
end-of-file phrase (AT END) 226
correcting 265 storage location of 35
ENTER statement 332
determining what severity level to external decimal data item 40
entry point
produce 302 external file 13, 432
alternate 421
format 266 external floating-point data item 40
ENTRY label 408, 421
from exit modules 619
passing entry addresses of 420
generating a list of 265
procedure-pointer data item 420
ENTRY statement
location in listing 266
severity levels 267
F
handling of programs name in 314 F format record 121
ESDS (entry-sequenced data sets)
ENVAR run-time option 283 factoring expressions 554
file access mode 153
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION factory data
euro currency sign 56
class 464 defining 489
EVALUATE statement
client 477 definition of 459
case structure 76, 77
collating sequence coding 8 making it accessible 489
structured programming 553
CONFIGURATION SECTION 7 private 489
evaluating data item contents
description 7 factory definition, coding 488
class test 46, 79
entries for line-sequential files 173

Index 733
factory methods FILE SECTION (continued) fixed-length records (continued)
defining 489 RECORD IS VARYING 13 VSAM 148, 154
definition of 459 RECORDING MODE clause 13 fixed-point arithmetic
hiding 491 VALUE OF 13 comparisons 54
invoking 491 FILE STATUS clause evaluation 53
using to wrap procedural description 118 example evaluations 55
programs 497 line-sequential error processing 178 exponentiation 580
FACTORY paragraph NOFASTSRT error processing 193 fixed-point data
factory data 489 QSAM error processing 133 binary 41
factory methods 489 using 228 conversions between fixed- and
factory section, defining 488 VSAM error processing 163 floating-point data 43
FASTSRT compiler option VSAM file loading 159 external decimal 40
description 302 with VSAM return code 229 intermediate results 579
improving sort performance 191, 563 file status code packed-decimal 42
information message 191 02 160 planning use of 555
requirements 191 05 157 FLAG compiler option
FD (file description) entry 13 35 157 compiler output 344
figurative constants 37 129 description 302
definition 24 39 130, 137, 140, 157 using 344
national characters as 106 49 162 flags and switches 80
file access mode 90 128 FLAGSTD compiler option 303
dynamic 153 92 401 floating-point arithmetic
example 154 using 223 comparisons 54
for indexed files (KSDS) 153 file status key evaluation 53
for relative files (RRDS) 153 checking for successful OPEN 228, example evaluations 55
for sequential files (ESDS) 153 229 exponentiation 585
performance considerations 171 set for error handling 118, 339 floating-point data
random 153 to check for I/O errors 228 conversions between fixed- and
sequential 153 used with VSAM return code 229 floating-point data 44
summary table of 115, 149 file-name external floating point 40
file allocation 117 specification 13 intermediate results 584
file availability FILEDEF command internal 42
VSAM files under z/OS 165 ASCII tape files 144 planning use of 555
file conversion files format of record
with millennium language associating program files to external fixed-length 121, 154
extensions 533 files 7 for QSAM ASCII tape 144
file description (FD) entry 13 COBOL coding format D 122, 123, 144
file extensions DATA DIVISION entries 120, 154, format F 121, 144
for error messages listing 266 174 format S 125
file name ENVIRONMENT DIVISION format U 126, 144
change 11 entries 119, 149, 173 format V 122, 123, 144
file organization input/output statements 129, 155, spanned 125
comparison of ESDS, KSDS, 175 undefined 126
RRDS 148 overview 116 variable-length 122, 123, 154
indexed 113, 150 defining to operating system 10 formatted dump 221
line-sequential 173 describing 12 freeing object instances 483
overview 113 description of optional 130, 158 full date field expansion
QSAM 119 identifying to z/OS 134, 135, 165, advantages 530
relative 113 175 function-pointer data item
relative-record 151 improving sort performance 191 addressing JNI services 625
sequential 113, 150 labels 145 CALL statement 421
summary table of 115 overview 114 calling DLL program
VSAM 148 processing example 444
file position indicator (CRP) 157, 160 line-sequential 173 SET function-pointer 420
FILE SECTION QSAM 119 versus procedure-pointer 421
BLOCK CONTAINS clause 13 VSAM 147
CODE-SET clause 13 usage explanation 11
DATA RECORDS clause 13
description 12
used interchangeably for data set 7
with multithreading 452
G
garbage collection 483
EXTERNAL clause 13 finding
get and set methods 473
FD entry 13 date of compilation 101
GETMAIN, saving address of 612
GLOBAL clause 13 largest or smallest data item 99
GLOBAL clause for files 13, 16
LABEL RECORDS clause 13 length of data items 101
global names 418
LINAGE clause 13 fixed century window 530
GO TO MORE-LABELS 142
OMITTED 13 fixed-length records
GOBACK statement
RECORD CONTAINS clause 13 format 154
in main program 408
record description 12 QSAM 121
in subprogram 408

734 Programming Guide

GOBACK statement (continued) IMS input/output coding (continued)
with multithreading 408 COBOL-Java interoperability EXCEPTION/ERROR
group item accessing databases 394 declaratives 227
comparing to national 111 calling a COBOL method from a INSERT statement 332
variably located 588 Java application 392 INSPECT statement 95
grouping data 426 calling a Java method from a inspecting data 95
COBOL application 393 instance
coding programs under 7, 391 creating 482
H coding restrictions 391
performance considerations 567
definition of 459
deleting 483
header on listing 7
recommended compiler options 391 instance data
HEAP run-time option
incompatible data 46 defining 466, 486
influencing data location 35
incrementing addresses 428 definition of 459
multioption interaction 34
index making it accessible 473
hex literal
data item 63 private 466
as currency sign 56
key, detecting faulty 231 instance methods
national 106
range checking 343 defining 467, 487
hiding factory methods 491
table 62 definition of 459
hierarchical file system (HFS)
index-name subscripting 63 invoking overridden 481
compiler data sets 240
indexed file organization 113, 150 overloading 472
defining file with environment
indexing overriding 471
variable 117
example 67 INTDATE compiler option 304
processing files with QSAM 140
preferred to subscripting 557 INTEGER intrinsic function 95
reading file with ACCEPT 29
tables 63 INTEGER-OF-DATE intrinsic
search order for DLLs in 442
INEXIT suboption of EXIT option 611, function 52
writing file with DISPLAY 30
613 integrated CICS translator 380
hierarchy of compiler options under
inheritance hierarchy, definition of 461 interactive program, example 683
z/OS 258
INITIAL attribute 6, 409, 412 Interactive System Productivity Facility
INITIALIZE statement (ISPF) 683
examples 25 interlanguage communication
I loading table values 64 and PL/I tasking 407
I-level error message 267, 344 using for debugging 339 between COBOL and Java 501
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION initializing subprograms 407
class 464 a table 64 under CICS 377
CLASS-ID paragraph 464, 485 instance data 482 with multithreading 407
client 475 inline PERFORM 83 interlanguage communication (ILC) 407
coding 5 input intermediate results 577
DATE-COMPILED paragraph 5 coding for line-sequential files 175 internal bridges
errors 5 coding for QSAM files 129 advantages 530
listing header example 7 coding for VSAM files 155 example 532
method 468 coding in CICS 376 for date processing 531
PROGRAM-ID paragraph 5 from files 113 internal floating-point data
required paragraphs 5 to compiler, under z/OS 253 bytes required 42
subclass 485 input procedure defining 42
TITLE statement 7 coding 182 uses for 42
IF statement FASTSRT option not effective 191 interoperable data types 506
coding 75 requires RELEASE or RELEASE intrinsic functions
nested 76 FROM 182 as reference modifier 95
with null branch 75 restrictions 185 converting character data items 96
IGZBRDGE macro INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION 7 DATEVAL 545
with multithreading 455 input/output evaluating data items 99
IGZCA2D service routine 593 checking for errors 228 example of
IGZCD2A service routine 595 coding overview 116 ANNUITY 52
igzcjava.x controlling with FASTSRT option 302 CHAR 99
binding with 282 logic flow after error 223 CURRENT-DATE 52
example 283 overview 113 DISPLAY-OF 108
linking with 278 processing errors INTEGER 95
example 279 line-sequential files 178 INTEGER-OF-DATE 52
IGZEOPT module QSAM files 133, 223 LENGTH 51, 100, 101
with multithreading 455 VSAM files 163, 223 LOG 53
IGZETUN module input/output coding LOWER-CASE 97
with multithreading 455 AT END (end-of-file) phrase 226 MAX 51, 74, 99, 100
IGZSRTCD data set 195 checking for successful operation 228 MEAN 53
imperative statement, list 19 checking VSAM return codes 229 MEDIAN 53, 74
implicit scope terminator 20 detecting faulty index key 231 MIN 95
error handling techniques 223 NATIONAL-OF 108
NUMVAL 97

Index 735
intrinsic functions (continued) Java (continued) JCL
example of (continued) arrays (continued) ASCII tape files 144
NUMVAL-C 51, 97 manipulating 507 cataloged procedures 238
ORD 99 boolean array 506 checkpoint/restart sample 525
ORD-MAX 74, 100 boolean type 506 FASTSRT requirement 191
PRESENT-VALUE 52 byte array 506 for compiling 237
RANGE 53, 74 byte type 506 for compiling with HFS 240
REM 53 char array 506 for line-sequential files 175
REVERSE 97 char type 506 for OO applications 281
SQRT 53 class types 506 example 283
SUM 74 double array 507 for QSAM files 135
UPPER-CASE 97 double type 506 for Sort 185
WHEN-COMPILED 101 example for VSAM data sets 168
intermediate results 583, 585 exception handling 503 JNI
introduction to 32 J2EE client 512 accessing services 501
nesting 33 processing an array 509 comparing object references 479
numeric functions exception converting local references to
differences from Language catching 503 global 482
Environment callable example 503 EBCDIC services 510
services 50 handling 502 environment structure 501
equivalent Language Environment throwing 503 addressability for 502
callable services 49 float array 507 exception handling services 502
examples of 48 float type 506 Java array services 507
nested 49 global references 504 Java string services 510
special registers as arguments 49 JNI services 505 obtaining class object reference 502
table elements as arguments 49 managing 504 restrictions when using 502
type of integer, floating-point, object 504 Unicode services 510
mixed 48 passing 504 JNI.cpy
uses for 48 int array 506 for compiling 277
processing table elements 73 int type 506 for JNINativeInterface 501
simplifying coding 569 interoperability 501 listing 625
UNDATE 545 interoperable data types, coding 506 JNIEnvPtr special register 501
INVALID KEY phrase 231 jstring class 505 JNINativeInterface
INVOKE statement local references 504 environment structure 501
use with PROCEDURE DIVISION deleting 504 JNI.cpy 501
RETURNING 430 freeing 504 job resubmission 525
using to create objects 482 JNI services 505 job stream 407
using to invoke methods 480 managing 504 jstring Java class 505
with ON EXCEPTION 480, 492 object 504
invoking passing 504
COBOL UNIX programs 397
factory or static methods 491
per multithreading 504
saving 504
K
KSDS (key-sequenced data sets)
instance methods 480 long array 506
file access mode 153
Language Environment callable long type 506
organization 150
services 573 methods
ISAM data set 147 access control 505
ISPF (Interactive System Productivity object array 506
Facility) 683 record class 505 L
running with COBOL 279, 283 LABEL declarative
sharing data with 505 description 332
J short array 506
short type 506
GO TO MORE-LABELS 142
handling user labels 142
J2EE client
string array 506 LABEL RECORDS clause
example 512
strings FILE SECTION entry 13
running 280
declaring 506 LABEL= 144
Java
manipulating 510 labels
and COBOL 501
Java virtual machine ASCII file 145
binding 282
exceptions 503 format, standard 143
compiling under UNIX 277
initializing 280 processing, QSAM files 141
compiling using JCL or
object references 504 standard user 143
TSO/E 281
java.lang.Object LANGUAGE compiler option 305
linking 278
referring to as Base 464 Language Environment callable services
running 279, 283
javac command 277 condition handling 571
structuring applications 498
JAVAERR data set 283 corresponding intrinsic functions 49
array classes 505
JAVAIN data set 283 date and time computations 571
arrays
JAVAOUT data set 283 differences from intrinsic
declaring 506
functions 50
example 509

736 Programming Guide

Language Environment callable services line-sequential files (continued) LOCAL-STORAGE SECTION (continued)
(continued) closing 177 comparison with
dynamic storage services 571 closing to prevent reopening 176 WORKING-STORAGE 15, 478
equivalent intrinsic functions 49 DATA DIVISION entries 174 determining location 35
example of using 573 ENVIRONMENT DIVISION LOG intrinsic function 53
feedback code 573 entries 173 logical record
for date and time computations 49 input/output error processing 178 description 113
for mathematics 49 input/output statements for 175 fixed-length format 121, 154
invoking with a CALL statement 573 opening 176 QSAM 120
mathematics 571 processing files 173 variable-length format 122, 123, 154
message handling 571 reading from 176 LONGMIXED suboption of
national language support 571 reading records from 176 PGMNAME 315
overview 571 sort and merge 179 LONGUPPER suboption of
return code 573 under z/OS PGMNAME 314
RETURN-CODE special register 573 creating files 175 loops
sample list of 572 DD statement for 175 coding 82
types of 571 defining 175 conditional 84
language features for debugging environment variable for 175 do 84
DISPLAY statements 338 job control language (JCL) 175 in a table 85
large block interface 128 writing to 176 performed a definite number of
last-used state 409 LINECOUNT compiler option 306 times 84
LENGTH intrinsic function 99 LINK macro 251 LOWER-CASE intrinsic function 97
example 51, 101 LINKAGE SECTION lst extension with cob2 274
variable length results 100 description 425 LST file extension 266
versus LENGTH OF special GLOBAL clause 16
register 101 run unit 16
with national data 101
length of data items, finding 101
with recursive calls 16
with the THREAD option 16
M
main program
LENGTH OF special register linker
and subprograms 408
passing 424 CICS 380
dynamic CALL 411
using 101 passing information to 273
parameter list in UNIX 402
with national data 101 linking OO applications
main storage, allocating to buffers 292
level definition 352 under UNIX 278
MAP compiler option
level-88 item example 279
data items and relative addresses 259
conditional expressions 79 using JCL or TSO/E 282
description 307
for windowed date fields 537 example 283
embedded MAP summary 347
restriction 537 LIST compiler option
example 352, 356
switches and flags 80 assembler code for source
nested program map 347
LIB compiler option program 356
example 356
description and syntax 306 compiler output 357, 359
symbols used in output 354
LIBEXIT suboption of EXIT option 611, conflict with OFFSET option 347
terms used in output 354
614 description 306
using 346, 347
libjvm.x DSA memory map 356, 367
mapping of DATA DIVISION items 347
binding with 282 getting output 347
mathematics
example 283 location and size of
intrinsic functions 48, 53
linking with 278 WORKING-STORAGE 367
Language Environment callable
example 279 multioption interaction 289
services 50, 571
with EBCDIC services 511 reading output 356
MAX intrinsic function
LIBPATH environment variable 280, 282, symbols used in output 354
example 51, 74
399 terms used in output 354
using 99
library TGT memory map 356
MEAN intrinsic function 53, 74
BASIS 255 listings
MEDIAN intrinsic function 53, 74
COPY 255 assembler expansion of PROCEDURE
memory map
defining 255 DIVISION 356
DSA 356
directory entry 251 data- and procedure-name cross
TGT 356
specifying path for 332 reference 345
memory map, TGT
library-name embedded error messages 344
example 366
alternative if not specified 273 generating a short listing 347
merge
when not used 614 line numbers, user-supplied 348
concepts 180
library-name environment variable 270 sorted cross reference of program
description 179
limits of the compiler 12 names 369
files, describing 181
LINAGE clause 13 terms used in MAP output 354
line-sequential files 179
line number 351 loading a table dynamically 64
pass control statements to 195
line-sequential files local names 418
storage use 195
adding records to 177 local references, converting to global 482
successful 190
allowable control characters 174 LOCAL-STORAGE SECTION
with multitasking 179
blocking 13 client 478

Index 737
MERGE statement multitasking (continued) national data (continued)
description 180 sort under 179 input with ACCEPT 29
message handling, Language multithreading joining 87
Environment callable services 571 AMODE setting 455 LENGTH intrinsic function 101
messages asynchronous signals 455 LENGTH OF special register 101
compile-time error choosing data section 449 MOVE statement 28
choosing severity to be in an OO client 478 NATIONAL-OF intrinsic 107
flagged 344 closing QSAM files 133 output with DISPLAY 30
embedding in source listing 344 closing VSAM files 163 reference modification 93
compiler error COBOL programs 449 specifying 105
sending to terminal 256 coding file I/O 452 spliting 89
compiler-directed 266 control transfer issues 451 tallying and replacing 95
determining what severity level to example of file I/O usage 453 National Language Support 305
produce 302 EXIT PROGRAM statement 408 national languages
from exit modules 619 GOBACK statement 408 run-time use 103
generating a list of 265 I/O error declaratives 227 NATIONAL-OF intrinsic function
severity levels 267 IGZBRDGE 455 using 107
METHOD-ID paragraph 468 IGZEOPT 455 with XML document 213
methods IGZETUN 455 nested COPY statement 569, 615
constructor 489 interlanguage communication 407 nested delimited scope statements 21
factory 489 limitations on COBOL 454 nested IF statement
hiding factory 491 nested programs 454 coding 76
instance 467, 487 older compilers 455 CONTINUE statement 76
invoking 480, 491 overview 449 EVALUATE statement preferred 76
invoking superclass 481 preinitializing 452 with null branches 76
Java access control 505 preparing COBOL programs for 449 nested intrinsic functions 49
obtaining passed arguments 470 recursion 451 nested program integration 561
overloading 472 recursive requirement 454 nested program map
overriding 471, 491 reentrancy 454 description 347
PROCEDURE DIVISION reentrancy requirement 454 example 356
RETURNING 431 run-time restrictions 455 nested programs
returning a value from 471 STOP RUN statement 408 calling 416
signature 468 synchronizing access to conventions for using 416
millennium language extensions resources 454 description 416
assumed century window 538 terminology 450 map 347, 356
compatible dates 535 THREAD compiler option scope of names 418
concepts 528 restrictions under 325 transfer of control 416
date windowing 527 when to choose 451 nesting level
DATEPROC compiler option 297 UPSI switches 455 program 351, 356
nondates 539 with PL/I tasks 407 statement 351
objectives 529 NOCOMPILE compiler option
principles 528 use of to find syntax errors 342
YEARWINDOW compiler option 331
MIN intrinsic function 95, 99
N NODYNAM compiler option
under CICS 377
NAME compiler option
mixed DBCS/EBCDIC literal NOFASTSRT compiler option 193, 196
description 308
alphanumeric to DBCS nondates
using 5
conversion 593 with MLE 539
name declaration
DBCS to alphanumeric Notices 699
searching for 418
conversion 595 NSYMBOL compiler option
naming
MLE 528 description 309
files 10
mnemonic-name for national data items 106
programs 5
SPECIAL-NAMES paragraph 7 for national literals 106
national
modules, exit null branch 76
literal 106
loading and invoking 613 null-terminated strings 91, 426
national condition 79
MOVE statement NUMBER compiler option
national data
using 27 description 309
comparing to alphabetic or
with national items 28, 107 for debugging 348
alphanumeric 111
MSGFILE run-time option 313 NUMCLS installation option 46
comparing to groups 111
multiple currency signs numeric class test 46
comparing to numeric 111
example 56 numeric condition 79
converting 107
using 55 numeric data
Chinese GB 18030 110
multiple inheritance, not permitted 462, binary
example 108
484 USAGE IS BINARY 41
exceptions 108
multiple thread environment, running USAGE IS COMPUTATIONAL
UTF-8 109
in 325 (COMP) 41
DISPLAY-OF intrinsic 108
multitasking USAGE IS COMPUTATIONAL-4
in conditional expression 79, 110
merge under 179 (COMP-4) 41
in XML document 213

738 Programming Guide

numeric data (continued) NUMVAL intrinsic function 97 OFFSET compiler option
binary (continued) NUMVAL-C intrinsic function description 312
USAGE IS COMPUTATIONAL-5 example 51 multioption interaction 289
(COMP-5) 41 using 97 output 370
comparing to national 111 OMITTED clause, FILE SECTION 14
conversions between fixed- and OMITTED LE parameters 573
floating-point data 44
defining 37
O OMITTED phrase for omitting
arguments 425
o extension with cob2 274
editing symbols 38 ON EXCEPTION phrase
object
external decimal INVOKE statement 480, 492
creating 482
USAGE IS DISPLAY 40 ON SIZE ERROR
definition of 459
external floating-point with windowed date fields 543
deleting 483
USAGE IS DISPLAY 40 OPEN operation code 613
object code
format conversions between fixed- OPEN statement
compilation and listing 259
and floating-point 43 file availability 130, 157, 176
creating 256
internal floating-point file status key 228
generating 294
USAGE IS COMPUTATIONAL-1 line-sequential files 175
producing in 80-column card 298
(COMP-1) 42 QSAM files 129
OBJECT compiler option
USAGE IS COMPUTATIONAL-2 VSAM files 155
description 311
(COMP-2) 42 opening files
multioption interaction 289
packed-decimal line-sequential 176
object instances, definition of 459
USAGE IS COMPUTATIONAL-3 multithreading serialization 452
OBJECT paragraph
(COMP-3) 42 QSAM 130
instance data 466, 486
USAGE IS PACKED- VSAM 157
instance methods 467
DECIMAL 42 optimization
object references
PICTURE clause 37, 38 avoid ALTER statement 554
comparing 479
storage formats 39 avoid backward branches 554
converting from local to global 482
zoned decimal BINARY data items 555
setting 479
USAGE IS DISPLAY 40 consistent data 556
typed 478
numeric editing symbol 38 constant computations 554
universal 478
numeric intrinsic functions constant data items 554
OBJECT-COMPUTER paragraph 7
differences from Language contained program integration 561
object-oriented COBOL
Environment callable services 50 duplicate computations 555
binding 282
equivalent Language Environment effect of compiler options on 562
example 283
callable services 49 effect on performance 553
compiling
example of factor expressions 554
under UNIX 277
ANNUITY 52 index computations 558
using JCL or TSO/E 281
CURRENT-DATE 52 indexing 557
DLLs in 446
INTEGER 95 nested program integration 561
IMS
INTEGER-OF-DATE 52 OCCURS DEPENDING ON 558
accessing databases 394
LENGTH 51, 100 out-of-line PERFORM 554
calling a COBOL method from a
LOG 53 packed-decimal data items 556
Java application 392
MAX 51, 74, 99, 100 performance implications 558
calling a Java method from a
MEAN 53 procedure integration 561
COBOL application 393
MEDIAN 53, 74 structured programming 553
linking 278
MIN 95 subscript computations 558
example 279
NUMVAL 97 subscripting 557
preparing applications
NUMVAL-C 51, 97 table elements 557
under UNIX 278
ORD 99 top-down programming 554
using JCL or TSO/E 282
ORD-MAX 74 unreachable code 561
restrictions for DYNAM compiler
PRESENT-VALUE 52 unused data items 312, 353
option 301
RANGE 53, 74 OPTIMIZE compiler option
running
REM 53 description 312
under UNIX 279
SQRT 53 effect on performance 560
using JCL or TSO/E 283
SUM 74 multioption interaction 289
writing OO programs 459
nested 49 performance considerations 563
objectives of millennium language
special registers as arguments 49 using 560
extensions 529
table elements as arguments 49 optimizer 560, 562
OCCURS clause 59, 558
types of integer, floating-point, optional files 130, 158
OCCURS DEPENDING ON (ODO)
mixed 48 ORD intrinsic function 99
clause
uses for 48 ORD-MAX intrinsic function 74, 100
complex 587
numeric-edited data item 38 ORD-MIN intrinsic function 100
initializing ODO elements 70
NUMPROC compiler option order of evaluation
optimization 558
affected by NUMCLS 46 arithmetic operators 48, 579
simple 68
description 310 compiler options 289
variable-length records 122, 154
effect on sign processing 45 out-of-line PERFORM 83
variable-length tables 68
performance considerations 564

Index 739
OUTDD compiler option password (continued) PICTURE clause
DD not allocated 30 VSAM files 164 determining symbol used 295
description 313 PASSWORD clause 164 numeric data 37
interaction with DISPLAY 30 PATH environment variable 282, 399 PL/I tasking
output path name POSIX run-time option 454
coding for line-sequential files 175 for copybook search 273, 332 with COBOL 407
coding for QSAM files 129 PERFORM statement pointer data item
coding for VSAM files 155 . . .THRU 85 description 33
coding in CICS 376 coding loops 82 incrementing addresses with 428
data set 256 for a table 66 NULL value 427
files 113 indexing 63 used to pass addresses 427
from compiler, under z/OS 253 inline 83 used to process chained list 427, 428
output file with cob2 274 out-of-line 83 porting your program 38
output procedure performed a definite number of POSIX
FASTSRT option not effective 191 times 84 calling APIs 400
requires RETURN or RETURN INTO TEST AFTER 84 threads 454
statement 183 TEST BEFORE 84 POSIX run-time option
restrictions 185 TIMES 84 affect on DLL search order 442
using 183 UNTIL 84 use in OO applications 283
overflow condition 222, 233 VARYING 85 potential problems with date fields 548
overloading instance methods 472 VARYING WITH TEST AFTER 85 precedence
overriding WITH TEST AFTER . . . UNTIL 84 arithmetic operators 48, 579
factory methods 491 WITH TEST BEFORE . . . UNTIL 84 compiler options under z/OS 258
instance methods 471 performance preferred sign 45
AIXBLD run-time option 567 preinitializing
and debugging 323 with multithreading 452
P APPLY WRITE-ONLY clause 12
arithmetic expressions 556
prelinking cataloged procedure
compile, prelink, link-edit 243
PACKED-DECIMAL
blocking QSAM files 127 compile, prelink, link-edit, run 245
synonym 39
CBLPSHPOP run-time option 383 compile, prelink, load, run 247
packed-decimal data item
CICS environment 566 prelink and link-edit 246
date fields, potential problems 548
coding 553 PRESENT-VALUE intrinsic function 52
description 42
coding tables 557 preserving original sequence in a
using efficiently 42, 556
compiler option sort 189
page
AWO 563 priority numbers, segmentation 563
control 132
DYNAM 563 procedure and data name cross-reference,
depth 13
FASTSRT 563 description 345
header 350
NUMPROC 45, 563 PROCEDURE DIVISION
customized 350, 351
OPTIMIZE 560, 563 additional information 363
paragraph
RENT 563 client 476
grouping 85
RMODE 563 description 17
introduction 18
SSRANGE 563 in subprograms 426
parameter list
TEST 563 instance method 470
for ADEXIT 618
THREAD 326 RETURNING 17
for INEXIT 613
TRUNC 326, 563 signature bytes 362, 363
for LIBEXIT 616
data usage 555 statements
for PRTEXIT 617
effect of compiler options on 562 compiler-directing 20
main program in UNIX 402
effects of buffer size 292 conditional 19
parameters
exponentiations 556 delimited scope 19
describing in called program 425
IMS environment 391, 567 imperative 19
parsing
OCCURS DEPENDING ON 558 terminology 17
XML documents 199, 201
of calls 413 USING 17
passing data between programs
optimizer 560, 562 verbs present in 362
addresses 427
planning arithmetic evaluations 555 PROCEDURE DIVISION RETURNING
BY CONTENT 423
programming style 553 methods, use of 431
BY REFERENCE 423
run-time considerations 383, 553 procedure integration 561
BY VALUE 423
table handling 558 procedure-pointer data item
called program 424
tape, QSAM 128 entry address for entry point 420
calling program 424
variable subscript data format 62 passing parameters to callable
EXTERNAL data 431
VSAM file considerations 171 services 420
JNI services 502
worksheet 566 SET procedure-pointer 420
language used 424
period, as scope terminator 20 versus function-pointer 421
OMITTED arguments 425
PGMNAME compiler option 314 with DLLs 443
options considerations 34
physical PROCESS (CBL) statement
with Java 505
block 113 batch compiling 262
password
record 13, 113 conflicting options in 289
alternate index 164
precedence 258
example 164

740 Programming Guide

PROCESS statement 258 QSAM files (continued) RECORDING MODE clause (continued)
processes 450 DATA DIVISION entries 120 variable-length records, QSAM 122,
processing ENVIRONMENT DIVISION 123
chained list 427, 428 entries 119 recursive calls
labels for QSAM files 141 input/output error processing 133, and the LINKAGE SECTION 16
tables 66 223 coding 419
using indexing 67 input/output statements for 129 identifying 6
using subscripting 66 label processing 141 reentrant programs 422
PROCESSING-INSTRUCTION-DATA obtaining buffers for 140 reference modification
XML event 205 opening 130 example 93
PROCESSING-INSTRUCTION-TARGET processing 119 national data 93
XML event 205 processing files in reverse order 130 out-of-range values 93
program processing HFS files 140 tables 62, 93
attribute codes 356 replacing records 131 reference modifier
compiling under UNIX 269 retrieving 136 arithmetic expression as 94
compiling under z/OS 237 striped extended-format 139 intrinsic function as 95
compiling using cob2 271 tape performance 128 variables as 93
examples 272 under z/OS register 15 and CICS 378
decisions creating files 134, 135 registers, affected by EXIT compiler
EVALUATE statement 76 DD statement for 134, 135 option 613
IF statement 75 defining 134, 135 relation condition 79
loops 84 environment variable for 134 relative file organization 113
PERFORM statement 84 file availability 130 RELEASE FROM statement
switches and flags 80 job control language (JCL) 135 compared to RELEASE 182
developing for UNIX 397 updating files 131 example 182
diagnostics 350 writing to a printer 131 RELEASE statement
initialization code 357 QUOTE compiler option 316 compared to RELEASE FROM 182
limitations 553 with SORT 182
main 408 REM intrinsic function 53
nesting level 351
reentrant 422
R RENT compiler option
description 316
random numbers, generating 50
restarting 522 for Java interoperability 277, 281
RANGE intrinsic function 53, 74
signature information bytes 359 for OO COBOL 277, 281
RD parameter 522
statistics 350 influencing addressability 34
READ INTO. . . 155
structure 5 multioption interaction 34
READ NEXT statement 155
sub 408 performance considerations 563
READ statement
PROGRAM COLLATING SEQUENCE when passing data 34
line-sequential files 175
clause 8 REPLACE statement 332
multithreading serialization 452
program names replacing
QSAM 129
handling of case 314 data items 95
VSAM 155
specifying 5 records in QSAM file 131
reading records
program processing table 377 records in VSAM file 162
a block 127
program termination REPOSITORY paragraph
to line-sequential files 176
actions taken in main and class 464
reading records from VSAM files
subprogram 408 client 477
dynamically 160
statements 408 coding 7
randomly 160
PROGRAM-ID paragraph subclass 486
sequentially 160
coding 5 representation
receiving field 89
COMMON attribute 6 data 46
record
INITIAL attribute 6 sign 45
description 12
program-name cross-reference 369 RERUN clause
format 113
protecting VSAM files 164 checkpoint/restart 196
fixed-length 121, 154
PRTEXIT suboption of EXIT option 611, reserved-word table
format D 122, 123, 144
617 alternate, CICS 329, 382
format F 121, 144
residency mode 34
format S 125
restart
format U 126, 144
Q format V 122, 123, 144
automatic 523
deferred 523
QSAM files QSAM ASCII tape 144
routine 519
adding records to 131 spanned 125
restarting a program 522
ASCII tape file 143 undefined 126
restrictions
ASSIGN clause 120 variable-length 122, 123, 154
CICS coding 7
BLOCK CONTAINS clause 127 RECORD CONTAINS clause
coding programs for CICS 375
block size 127 FILE SECTION entry 13
coding programs for IMS 391
blocking enhances performance 127 RECORDING MODE clause
IMS coding 7, 378
blocking records 127, 140 fixed-length records, QSAM 121
input/output procedures 185
closing 132 QSAM files 13
subscripting 62
closing to prevent reopening 130 to specify record format 120

Index 741
restrictions (continued) run-time options (continued) SET statement
using EXEC SQL under IMS 394 CHECK(OFF) 563 for function-pointer data items 420
resubmitting a job 525 COBOL 85 Standard for procedure-pointer data items 420
return code conformance 289 handling of programs name in 314
compiler 267 ENVAR 283 setting object references 479
feedback code from Language MSGFILE 313 using for debugging 339
Environment services 573 POSIX setting
from CICS ECI 378 DLL search order 442 switches and flags 81
from DB2 387 use in OO applications 283 sharing
RETURN-CODE special register 430, SIMVRD 152 data 418, 431
573 specifying under UNIX 397 with Java 505
VSAM files 229 TRAP files 13, 418, 432
when control returns to operating closing files in line-sequential 177 short listing, example 348
system 430 closing files in QSAM 132 sign condition 79, 541
RETURN INTO statement 183 closing files in VSAM 162 sign representation 45
RETURN statement 183 ON SIZE ERROR 223 signature
RETURN-CODE special register running OO applications definition of 468
considerations for DB2 387 under UNIX 279 must be unique 468
not set by INVOKE 480 using JCL or TSO/E 283 signature bytes
value after call to Language compiler options in effect 359
Environment service 573 DATA DIVISION 361
when control returns to operating
system 430
S ENVIRONMENT DIVISION 361
PROCEDURE DIVISION 362, 363
S format record 125
RETURNING phrase SIMVRD run-time option 152
S-level error message 267, 344
INVOKE statement 481 SIZE compiler option 318
sample programs 679
methods, use of 431 size of printed page, control 132
scope of names 418
PROCEDURE DIVISION header 471 skip a block of records 127
scope terminator
REVERSE intrinsic function 97 sliding century window 530
aids in debugging 338
reverse order of tape files 130 sort
explicit 19, 20
reversing characters 97 alternate collating sequence 188
implicit 20
REWRITE statement checkpoint/restart 196
SEARCH ALL statement
multithreading serialization 452 completion code 190
binary search 72
QSAM 129 concepts 180
indexing 63, 71
VSAM 155 controlling behavior of 193
ordered table 72
RLS parameter 170 criteria 186
search order
RMODE data sets needed, z/OS 185
DLLs in the HFS 442
assigned for EXIT modules 613 DD statements, defining z/OS data
SEARCH statement
description 34 sets 185
examples 71
RMODE compiler option description 179
indexing 63
description 317 FASTSRT compiler option 191
nesting 71
influencing addressability 34 files, describing 181
serial search 71
multioption interaction 34 input procedures 182
searching a table 71
performance considerations 563 line-sequential files 179
searching for name declarations 418
when passing data 34 more than one 180
section
Rotational Position Sensing feature 129 NOFASTSRT compiler option 193
declarative 21
ROUNDED phrase 578 output procedures 183
description of 18
rows in tables 60 pass control statements to 195
grouping 85
RRDS (relative-record data sets) performance 191
segmentation 563
file access mode 153 preserving original sequence 189
SELECT clause
fixed-length records 148 restrictions on input/output
ASSIGN clause 10
organization 150, 151 procedures 185
naming files 10
performance considerations 171 special registers 193
vary input-output file 11
simulating variable-length storage use 195
SELECT OPTIONAL 130, 157
records 152 successful 190
SELF 479
variable-length records 148 terminating 190
sending field 89
run time under CICS 197
sentence 18
changing file-name 11 under z/OS 185
separate digit sign 38
multithreading restrictions 455 variable-length records 186
SEQUENCE compiler option 318, 343
performance considerations 553 windowed date fields 189
sequential file organization 113
run unit with multitasking 179
sequential storage device 114
description 407 workspace 196
serial search 71
role in multithreading 450 Sort File Description (SD) entry
serialization
run-time options example 181
of files with multithreading 452
affecting DATA compiler option 35 SORT statement
SERVICE LABEL statement 332
AIXBLD 567 description 186
SET condition-name TO TRUE statement
ALL31 413 restrictions for CICS applications 197
example 83, 85
CBLPSHPOP 383 under CICS 197
switches and flags 81

742 Programming Guide

SORT-CONTROL special register 194 statement subscripting
SORT-CORE-SIZE special register 194 compiler-directing 20 example of processing a table 66
SORT-FILE-SIZE special register 194 conditional 19 index-names 63
SORT-MESSAGE special register 194 definition 18 literal 61
SORT-MODE-SIZE special register 194 delimited scope 19 reference modification 62
SORT-RETURN special register 190, 194 explicit scope terminator 20 relative 62
SORTCKPT DD statement 196 imperative 19 restrictions 62
SOURCE and NUMBER output, implicit scope terminator 20 variable 61
example 351 nesting level 351 substrings
source code static call statement 410 reference modification 92
compiler data set (z/OS) 255 static data areas, allocating storage 35 referencing table items 93
line number 351, 352, 356 static data, definition of 459 SUM intrinsic function 74
listing, description 347 static methods SUPER 482
program listing 259 definition of 459 surrogate values 110
SOURCE compiler option 319, 347 invoking 491 switch-status condition 79
SOURCE-COMPUTER paragraph 7 statistics switches and flags
SPACE compiler option 319 intrinsic functions 53 defining 80
spanned record format 125 status key description 80
spanned records 125 importance of in VSAM 163 resetting 81
special feature specification 7 stderr SYMBOLIC CHARACTER clause 9
special register directing DISPLAY 31 symbolic constant 554
ADDRESS 424 setting DISPLAY to 399 symbols used in LIST and MAP
arguments in intrinsic functions 49 stdin output 354
JNIEnvPtr 501 reading with ACCEPT 29 syntax errors
LENGTH OF 101, 424 stdout finding with NOCOMPILE compiler
SORT-RETURN 190 directing DISPLAY 31 option 342
WHEN-COMPILED 101 setting DISPLAY to 399 SYSADATA
XML-CODE 208 STEPLIB environment variable 271, 399 output 290
XML-EVENT 208 STOP RUN statement records, exit module 618
XML-NTEXT 208 in main program 408 SYSADATA data set 257
XML-TEXT 208 in subprogram 408 SYSADATA file
SPECIAL-NAMES paragraph with multithreading 408 example 633
coding 7 storage file contents 631
QSAM files 144 device record descriptions 634
splitting data items 89 direct-access 114 record types 632
SQL compiler option sequential 114 SYSIN data set
description 320 management, Language Environment defining 255
multioption interaction 289 callable services 571 description 253
using 387 mapping 347 user exit error message 620
SQL INCLUDE statement 385 use during sort 195 SYSJAVA data set 257
SQL statements STRING statement SYSLIB data set
EXIT compiler option and 620 example of 87 defining 255
use for DB2 services 385 overflow condition 222 description 253
SQLCA 385 using 87 when not used 614
SQLCODE 387 with DBCS data 593 SYSLIB environment variable 270, 277
SQLSTATE 387 strings SYSLIN data set 256
SQRT intrinsic function 53 Java 506 SYSPRINT data set
SSRANGE compiler option manipulating 510 defining 256
CHECK(OFF) run-time option 563 null-terminated 426 description 253
description 321 striped extended-format QSAM file 139 when not used 617
performance considerations 563 structured programming 554 SYSPUNCH data set
using 343 structuring OO applications 498 description 253, 256
STACK run-time option subclass requirements for DECK compiler
influencing data location 35 definition of 484 option 298
multioption interaction 34 instance data 486 system date
STANDALONE-DECLARATION XML subprogram under CICS 376
event 203 and main program 408 system dump 222
STANDARD clause, FD entry 13 description 408 system-determined block size 127, 255
standard label format 143 linkage 407, 414 system-name 7
standard label, QSAM 145 common data items 425 SYSTERM data set
START statement PROCEDURE DIVISION in 426 defining 256
multithreading serialization 452 termination description 253
VSAM 155 effects 408 sending messages to 321
START-OF-CDATA-SECTION XML subscript SYSUT data set 253
event 206 computations 558
START-OF-DOCUMENT XML event 202 range checking 343
START-OF-ELEMENT XML event 203

Index 743
T transferring control (continued)
between COBOL programs 410, 416
UNIX APIs
calling 400
table called program 408 UNKNOWN-REFERENCE-IN-
assigning values 65 calling program 408 ATTRIBUTE XML event 207
columns 59 main and subprograms 408 UNKNOWN-REFERENCE-IN-CONTENT
compare to array 33 nested programs 416 XML event 207
defining 59 TRAP run-time option unreachable code 561
depth 60 closing line-sequential files 177 UNSTRING statement
description 33 closing QSAM files 132 example 89
dynamically loading 64 closing VSAM files 162 overflow condition 222
efficient coding 557, 558 ON SIZE ERROR 223 using 89
handling 59 TRUNC compiler option with DBCS data 593
identical element specifications 557 description 326 updating VSAM records 160
index 62 performance considerations 563 UPPER-CASE intrinsic function 97
initialize 64 TSO uppercase 97
intrinsic functions 73 ALLOCATE command 249 UPSI switches
loading values in 64 CALL command 249 with multithreading 455
looping through 85 compiling under 249 USAGE clause
making reference 61 SYSTERM for compiler messages 256 incompatible data 46
one-dimensional 59 tuning considerations, performance 562, IS INDEX 63
reference modification 62 563 OBJECT REFERENCE 478
referencing table entry substrings 93 typed object references 478 USE . . . LABEL declarative 142
rows 60 USE AFTER STANDARD LABEL 145
searching 71 USE FOR DEBUGGING declaratives 340
subscripts 61
three-dimensional 60 U USE statement 332
user label
two-dimensional 60 U format record 126
exits 145
variable-length 68 U-level error message 267, 344
QSAM 145
TALLYING option 95 UNDATE intrinsic function 545
standard 143
tape files undefined record format
user-defined condition 79
performance 128 description 126
user-exit work area 612
reverse order 130 layout 126
user-label track 142
TERMINAL compiler option 321 QSAM 144
USING phrase
terminal, sending messages to 321 requesting 126
INVOKE statement 480
termination 408 unfilled tracks 129
PROCEDURE DIVISION header 470
terminology Unicode
UTF-16
VSAM 147 description 105
encoding for national data 105
terms used in MAP output 354 encoding 106
UTF-8 data
test JNI services 510
converting 109
conditions 84 run-time support 103
for ASCII invariant characters 105
data 79 using with DB2 385
processing 109
numeric operand 79 universal object references 478
UPSI switch 79 UNIX
TEST AFTER 84 accessing environment variables 398
TEST BEFORE 84 example 400 V
TEST compiler option accessing main parms 402 V format record 122, 123
description 322 example 402 valid data
for full advantage of Debug Tool 371 calling APIs 400 numeric 46
multioption interaction 289 compiler environment variables 269 VALUE clause
performance considerations 563 compiling from script 275 assigning table values 65
text-name environment variable 270 compiling OO applications 277 data description entry 65
TGT memory map example 279 large literals with COMP-5 42
description 356 compiling under 269 large, with TRUNC(BIN) 327
example 366 copybook search order 270, 273, 333 VALUE IS NULL 427
THREAD compiler option copybooks 333 VALUE OF clause 13
and the LINKAGE SECTION 16 developing programs 397 variable
description 325 execution environments 397 as reference modifier 93
for Java interoperability 277, 281 linking OO applications 278 description 23
for OO COBOL 277, 281 example 279 variable-length records
threading consideration 397 preparing OO applications 278 OCCURS DEPENDING ON (ODO)
TITLE statement example 279 clause 558
controlling header on listing 7 running OO applications 279 QSAM 122, 123
top-down programming running programs 397 sorting 186
constructs to avoid 554 setting environment variables 398 VSAM 148, 154
TRACK OVERFLOW option 129 example 400 variable-length table 68
transferring control sort and merge 179 variables, environment
between COBOL and non-COBOL specifying compiler options 270 library-name 332
programs 407 variably located data item 588

744 Programming Guide

variably located group 588 WORKING-STORAGE SECTION XML events
VBREF compiler option (continued) description 199
description 329 client 478 processing 202
output example 371 comparison with processing procedure 201
using 347 LOCAL-STORAGE 15, 478 XML exception codes
verb cross-reference listing factory data 489 handleable 599
description 347 finding location and size of 367 not handleable 603
verbs used in program 347 instance data 466, 486 XML PARSE statement
VERSION-INFORMATION XML instance method 469 description 199
event 202 multithreading considerations 478 NOT ON EXCEPTION 215
VSAM files storage location for data 296 ON EXCEPTION 215
adding records to 161 workspace using 201
allocating with environment use during sort 196 XML parser
variable 168 wrapper, definition of 497 conformance 606
closing 162 wrapping procedure-oriented description 199
coding input/output statements 155 programs 497 XML parsing
comparison of file organizations 148 write a block of records 127 CCSID conflict 217
creating alternate indexes 166 WRITE ADVANCING statement 132 description 201
DATA DIVISION entries 154 WRITE statement overview 199
deleting records from 162 line-sequential files 175 special registers 208
dynamically loading 159 multithreading serialization 452 terminating 217
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION QSAM 129 XML processing procedure
entries 149 VSAM 155 example 211
error processing 223 specifying 201
file position indicator (CRP) 157, 160 using special registers 208
file status key 163
in a multithreaded environment 454
X writing 208
XML-CODE special register
x extension with cob2 274
input/output error processing 163 description 208
XML document
loading randomly 159 using 199
accessing 201
loading records into 158 with exceptions 215
handling errors 215
opening 157 XML-EVENT special register
national language 213
performance considerations 171 description 208
parser 199
processing files 147 using 199, 202
parsing 201
protecting with password 164 XML-NTEXT special register 208
example 211
reading records from 159 using 199
processing 199
replacing records in 162 XML-TEXT special register 208
XML event
return codes 229 using 199
ATTRIBUTE-CHARACTER 204
under z/OS XREF compiler option 330, 345
ATTRIBUTE-CHARACTERS 204
defining data sets 165 XREF output
ATTRIBUTE-NAME 204
file availability 165 data-name cross-references 368
ATTRIBUTE-NATIONAL-
JCL 168 program-name cross-references 369
CHARACTER 204
RLS mode 170
COMMENT 203
updating records 160
CONTENT-CHARACTER 206
with Access Method Services 159
VSAM terminology
CONTENT-CHARACTERS 205 Y
CONTENT-NATIONAL- year field expansion 532
BDAM data set 147
CHARACTER 206 year windowing
comparison to non-VSAM terms 147
DOCUMENT-TYPE- advantages 530
ESDS for QSAM 147
DECLARATION 203 how to control 545
KSDS for ISAM 147
ENCODING-DECLARATION 203 MLE approach 530
RRDS for BDAM 147
END-OF-CDATA-SECTION 207 when not supported 536
END-OF-DOCUMENT 207 year-last date fields 534
END-OF-ELEMENT 205, 206 YEARWINDOW compiler option
W EXCEPTION 207 description 331
W-level error message 267, 344 PROCESSING-INSTRUCTION- effect on sort/merge 194
WHEN phrase DATA 205
EVALUATE statement 77 PROCESSING-INSTRUCTION-
SEARCH statement 71
WHEN-COMPILED intrinsic function
TARGET 205
STANDALONE-DECLARATION 203
Z
z/OS
example 101 START-OF-CDATA-SECTION 206
compiling under 237
versus WHEN-COMPILED special START-OF-DOCUMENT 202
zero comparison 541
register 101 START-OF-ELEMENT 203
zoned decimal 40
WHEN-COMPILED special register 101 UNKNOWN-REFERENCE-IN-
ZWB compiler option 331
windowed date fields 189 ATTRIBUTE 207
wlist file 306 UNKNOWN-REFERENCE-IN-
WORD compiler option 329 CONTENT 207
work data sets 253 VERSION-INFORMATION 202
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION 14

Index 745
746 Programming Guide
Readers’ Comments — We’d Like to Hear from You
Enterprise COBOL for z/OS and OS/390
Programming Guide
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