Reference Format
COBOL programs must be written in the COBOL reference format. Figure 1 shows the reference format for a COBOL 80-character source line.
Figure 1. Reference Format for COBOL Source Line

An 80-character COBOL source line is divided into the following reference format areas:
- Sequence Number Area
- Columns 1 through 6
- Indicator Area
- Column 7
- Area A
- Columns 8 through 11
- Area B
- Columns 12 through 72
- Comment Area
- Columns 73 through 80