Rational Developer for System z
COBOL for Windows, Version 7.5, Programming Guide


Using symbolic constants

To have the optimizer recognize a data item as a constant throughout the program, initialize it with a VALUE clause and do not change it anywhere in the program.

If you pass a data item to a subprogram BY REFERENCE, the optimizer treats it as an external data item and assumes that it is changed at every subprogram call.

If you move a literal to a data item, the optimizer recognizes the data item as a constant only in a limited area of the program after the MOVE statement.


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