Under Language Environment, for TRACE/EXHIBIT output (for OS/VS COBOL programs) and DISPLAY UPON SYSOUT output (for both OS/VS COBOL programs and VS COBOL II programs) sent to a file with RECFM as FB, or to any other destination when DCB=(RECFM=FB) is specified on the DD, the first character is not included in the output, as shown below:
| Record format | VS COBOL II | Language Environment |
|---|---|---|
| RECFM=FBA | $01234 | $01234 |
| RECFM=FB | $01234 | 01234 |
The '$' represents the control character at column 1. The default attributes of DISPLAY are unchanged.
We recommend that you use RECFM=FBA for SYSOUT directed to a file.