Establish a file status key by using the FILE STATUS clause in the FILE-CONTROL paragraph and data definitions in the DATA DIVISION.
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION.
INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION.
FILE-CONTROL.
. . .
FILE STATUS IS file-status
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
01 file-status PIC 99.
Specify the file status key file-status as a two-character category alphanumeric or category national item, or as a two-digit zoned decimal (USAGE DISPLAY) (as shown above) or national decimal (USAGE NATIONAL) item.
Restriction: The data item referenced in the FILE STATUS clause cannot be variably located; for example, it cannot follow a variable-length table.
related tasks
Using file status keys
related references
FILE STATUS clause
(COBOL for Windows Language Reference)