A called program can directly or indirectly execute its caller. For example, program X calls program Y, program Y calls program Z, and program Z then calls program X. This type of call is recursive.
To make a recursive call, you must code the RECURSIVE clause in the PROGRAM-ID paragraph of the recursively called program. If you try to recursively call a COBOL program that does not have the RECURSIVE clause in the PROGRAM-ID paragraph, a condition is signaled. If the condition remains unhandled, the run unit will end.
related tasks
Identifying a program as recursive
related references
PROGRAM-ID paragraph (Enterprise COBOL Language Reference)