The file section must contain a level-indicator for
each input and output file:
- For all files except sort/merge files, the file section must contain an FD
entry.
- For each sort or merge file, the file section must contain an SD entry.
- file-name
- Must follow the level indicator (FD or SD), and must be the same as that specified in
the associated SELECT clause. file-name must adhere to the rules of formation for a user-defined word; at
least one character must be alphabetic. file-name must be unique within this program.
One or more record description entries must follow file-name. When more than one record description entry is specified, each
entry implies a redefinition of the same storage area.
The clauses that follow file-name are optional, and they can appear in any order.
- FD (formats 1, 2, and 3)
- The last clause in the FD entry must be immediately followed by a separator
period.
- SD (format 4)
- An SD entry must be written for each sort or merge file in the program. The last
clause in the SD entry must be immediately followed by a separator period.
The following example illustrates the file section entries needed for a sort or merge
file:
SD SORT-FILE.
01 SORT-RECORD PICTURE X(80).
A record in the file section must be described as an alphanumeric group item, a
national group item, or an elementary item of class alphabetic, alphanumeric, DBCS,
national, or numeric.