Rational Developer for System z
COBOL for Windows, Version 7.5, Language Reference


Reference format

COBOL source text must be written in COBOL reference format. Reference format consists of the following areas in a 72-character line:

Sequence number area
Columns 1 through 6
Indicator area
Column 7
Area A
Columns 8 through 11
Area B
Columns 12 through 72

The figure below illustrates reference format for a COBOL source line.

Begin description. This figure shows the areas and columns of a COBOL source line. The areas and columns are the same as those described in the text above. End description.

The sections below provide details about these areas:


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