Attribute

This part of assignment-name-1 or literal-1 can be SI or ALWNULL.
SI
Indicates that a separate indicator area has been specified in the DDS for a FORMATFILE or WORKSTATION file.
ALWNULL
When ALWNULL is specified, the program can manipulate null-capable fields in a database file. This keyword can only be used with device type DATABASE.

See the IBM Rational Development Studio for i: ILE COBOL Programmer's Guide for details on the use of the SI or ALWNULL attribute and further information about the ASSIGN clause.

The valid entries for each field of assignment-name-1 or literal-1 vary with the device. The valid combinations of fields are shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Valid Entries for Assignment-Name-1 and Literal-1
Device File Name Default File Name SI ALWNULL
PRINTER O QPRINT N N
FORMATFILE R   O N
TAPEFILE O QTAPE N N
DISKETTE O QDKT N N
DISK R   N N
DATABASE R   N O
WORKSTATION R   O N

Key:
   R=Required
   O=Optional
   N=Not Allowed