To better understand the terms used throughout the IBM z/OS Language Environment and IBM Enterprise COBOL for z/OS publications and what terms are meant to be equivalent, see the following table.
| Language Environment term | Enterprise COBOL equivalent |
|---|---|
| Aggregate | Group item |
| Array | A table created using the OCCURS clause |
| Array element | Table element |
| Enclave | Run unit |
| External data | WORKING-STORAGE data defined with EXTERNAL clause |
| Local data | Any non-EXTERNAL data item |
| Pass parameters directly, by value | BY VALUE |
| Pass parameters indirectly, by reference | BY REFERENCE |
| Pass parameters indirectly, by value | BY CONTENT |
| Routine | Program |
| Scalar | Elementary item |