https://RustRocket.rs -- Cloud Monk Losang Jinpa, Ph.D., MCSE / MCT, https://Rustaceans.rs, Full Stack Cloud Native Rust DevOps Engineer - Rocket Framework Rust Microservices on Kubernetes-AWS-Azure-GCP

Return to Beginning COBOL for Programmers or Beginning COBOL for Programmers Table of Contents

Beginning COBOL for Programmers - authored by Michael Coughlan

Acme Automobile Parts Limited

file transaction

maintenance

redundant stock report

stock master file

vehicle master file

Alphanumeric literals

AND truth table

Arithmetic verbs

GIVING phrase

metalanguage

ON SIZE ERROR phrase

ROUNDED phrase

statements

Aromamora Base Oil Sales report

considerations

control-break program

oil names and unit costs

report template

sales file

test data and results

Automatic language conversion

Bespoke application

Binary search

Bracketing

Class conditions

example program

metalanguage

numeric tests

StateName capitals

UserDefinedClassName

Closed subroutines

CLOSE statement

COBOL

application domain

characteristics

domain-independent languages

version

bespoke application

bug-free status

characteristics

enormous volumes

maintainable

many programming shops

mission-critical applications

module version log

nonproprietary

self-documenting programming language

simple language

stable

coding rules

See(see Coding rules)

compiler

Fujitsu NetCOBOL compiler

Micro Focus Visual compiler

online compiler

open source COBOL compiler

Raincode compiler

conspiracy-theory

crisis and opportunity

definition

DoCalc program

enterprise computing

greeting program

hidden asset

hierarchical program structure

divisions

See(see Divisions, COBOL program)

paragraph

sections

sentence

statements

high-level programming language

history

idiosyncrasies

legacy system

automatic language conversion

code renovation

commodity hardware and software

complete rewrite

COTS package

danger, difficulty and expense

wrapping

metalanguage syntax

COMPUTE statement

diagram

notation

operand suffixes

references

standards

COBOL ANS 4

COBOL ANS 74 (External Subprograms)

COBOL ANS 85 (Structured Programming Constructs)

COBOL ANS 2002 (OO Constructs)

target application domain

using EVALUATE Verb

COBOL subroutines

Coding rules

coding sheet

name construction

data-item names

program formatting

programming style

Common Business Oriented Language (COBOL).

See See COBOL

Compiler

Fujitsu NetCOBOL compiler

Micro Focus Visual compiler

online compiler

open source COBOL compiler

Raincode compiler

Complex conditions

bracketing

cursor detection

metalanguage

OR, AND truth tables

precedence rules

COMPUTE statement

Condition names

correct use of

Date-Validation Error Message

definition

multiple names

numeric or alphabetic values

overlapping and multiple-value names

rules

single name and value

whole word values

design patterns

sequential file reading

example program

group item

set to true

SET verb examples

SET verb metalanguage

Control-break processing

detection

program template

program writing

specifications required

single control break

three control breaks

two control breaks

three-level control break

program implementation

test data file

typical control break

program implementation

specification required

test data file

Control structures

iteration

See(see Iteration constructs)

selection

See(see Selection constructs)

Data declaration

assignment operation

alphanumeric MOVEs

data types

MOVE combinations

MOVE rules

MOVE syntax

MOVE verb

numeric MOVEs

categories

data item (variables)

elementary item

figurative constants

literals

data items

example declarations

PICTURE clauses

exercise

answers

question

numeric MOVEs

example set 1

example set 2

structured data

data hierarchy

group item

level number(s)

level number relationships govern hierarchy

Data type enforcement

Date-Validation Error Message

Decimal arithmetic

fixed-point

floating-point

Decision tables

Direct access files

COBOL file organizations

relative file

See(see Relative file organization)

sequential file

See(see Sequential file organization)

indexed files

applied transactions

index file combination

See(see Index file combination)

key references

reading an indexed file

See(See Reading an indexed file)

SELECT and ASSIGN clause

verbs

See(see Index file verbs)

sequential file

index file organization

alternate-key index

data buckets

primary-key index

processing relative files

Reads

See(see Reading a relative file)

sequential file

transactions

See(see Relative file transaction)

relative file

SELECT and ASSIGN clause

verbs

See(see Relative file verbs)

relative files organization

one-dimensional table

records

single numeric key

sparsely populated

vs.sequential files

DISPLAY verb

Divisions, COBOL program

CONFIGURATION SECTION

DATA DIVISION

FILE SECTION

WORKING-STORAGE SECTION

ENVIRONMENT DIVISION

hierarchical data declaration

IDENTIFICATION DIVISION

PROCEDURE DIVISION

ShortestProgram

Domain-independent languages

Edited pictures

editing types

formatting effects

immediate editing

insertion

fixed-insertion

floating

simple-insertion

special-insertion

picture clause

print lines

immediate editing

program implementation

program implementation

string restrictions

suppression-and-replacement editing

symbols editing

Elementary data item

Encapsulation

END-IF vs. period

EVALUATE

Acme Book Club example

amusement park example

decision tables

metalanguage

objects

payment totals example

subjects

WHEN branch rules

Field

Figurative constants

File(s)

definition

field

practical exercise

processing of

record

buffer

buffer declaration

creation

declarations

occurrence

template

record-based files

direct-access file organization

serial file organization

SELECT and ASSIGN clause

declarations

extension

syntax

usage

sequential

See (see Sequential files)

File-update problem

multiple record types

mapping transcations

schematic representation

program implementation

test data file

update stock file

change record

deletion

insertion

transaction file

Fourth-generation languages (4GLs)

Fujitsu NetCOBOL compiler

GIVING phrase

Gravity-driven programming

Hierarchical data description

Hierarchical program structure

divisions

See(see Divisions, COBOL program)

paragraph

sections

sentence

statements

IF statement

condition types

class conditions

complex conditions

relation conditions

sign conditions

END-IF vs. period

nested IF statements

Implied subjects

INDEXED BY clause

Index file combination

DirectorId-DF

index file used

Index file verbs

file manipulation

READ verb

ACCESS MODE IS DYNAMIC

ACCESS MODE IS SEQUENTIAL

KeyName

READ NEXT RECORD format

START verbs

WRITE, REWRITE and DELETE verbs

Inline execution

Insertion

fixed insertion

CR and DB

currency symbol

examples

Plus and Minus Symbols

floating-insertion

simple-insertion

examples

working principle

special-insertion

INSPECT Verb

CONVERTING format

formats

program

reference modification

REPLACING format

metalanguage

phrases

statements

TALLYING format

counting vowels and consonants

metalanguage

phrases

programmatic detour

statements

UPPER-CASE function

Intrinsic functions

date functions

program

types

definition

parameters/arguments

string

CHAR and ORD

LENGTH function

ORD-MAX function

ORD-MIN function

REVERSE function

types

working principle

IS EXTERNAL Clause

common coupling

data-sharing mechanism

naming dependency problem

IS EXTERNAL Data Items

data flow, tramp data

IS EXTERNAL phrase

tramp data

Iteration constructs

PERFORM

closed subroutines

COBOL subroutines

format 1

inline execution

open subroutines

out-of-line execution

PERFORM..THRU

PERFORM..TIMES

PERFORM..UNTIL

PERFORM..VARYING

PERFORM..VARYING UNTIL

PERFORM WITH TEST AFTER UNTIL

PERFORM WITH TEST BEFORE UNTIL

working principle

Level number relationships govern hierarchy

Level sixty-sixes

Linear search

Literals

alphanumeric literals

numeric literals

Master file (MF)

Metalanguage syntax

COMPUTE statement

diagram

notation

operand suffixes

Micro Focus Visual compiler

Multidimensional

definition

granular data

hierarchical structure, COBOL

program

record description

Nested IF statements

Nonconforming arithmetic verbs

Add verb

COMPUTE Verb

DIVIDE Verb

MULTIPLY Verb

SUBTRACT Verb

Numeric literals

OCCURS clause metalanguage

Online compiler

ON SIZE ERROR phrase

OO-COBOL

class

CLASS clause

class program

scoping issues

structure

template

ThisInstanceNum-ows

WORKING-STORAGE SECTION vs. LOCAL-STORAGE SECTION

destroying objects

dictionary class

acronym dictionary creation

creation

END OBJECT

FACTORY

IDENTIFICATION DIVISION

PROCEDURE DIVISION

USAGE OBJECT REFERENCE clause

encapsulation

exercise program

informational-strength modules

AddWordToDictionary

creation

DictionaryModule

instance object

INVOKE verb

module coupling

module dictionary module

module strength

object

OBJECT REFERENCE

predefined object identifiers

USAGE OBJECT REFERENCE

Open source COBOL compiler

OPEN statement

Open subroutines

Ordered sequential file

delete records

insert records

master file (MF)

partial record description

transaction file (TF)

update records

master file

transaction file

OR truth table

Out-of-line execution

Paragraphs, PROCEDURE DIVISION

PERFORM

closed subroutines

COBOL subroutines

format 1

inline execution

open subroutines

out-of-line execution

PERFORM..THRU

correct usage

GO TO and Skip statements

IF and Skip statements

PERFORM..TIMES

examples

format 2

PERFORM..UNTIL

format 3

post-test loop

pre-test loop

terminating condition

WITH TEST AFTER

WITH TEST BEFORE

PERFORM..VARYING

counting

counting iteration

format 4

odometer simulation

syntax description

WITH TEST AFTER

PERFORM..VARYING UNTIL

PERFORM WITH TEST AFTER UNTIL

PERFORM WITH TEST BEFORE UNTIL

PRACTICAL EXERCISES

working principle

Procedure division

ACCEPT and DISPLAY program

ACCEPT verb

rules

system variables format

arithmetic verbs

GIVING phrase

metalanguage

ON SIZE ERROR phrase

ROUNDED phrase

statements

DISPLAY verb

GENERATE verb

INITIATE verb

nonconforming arithmetic verbs

Add verb

COMPUTE Verb

DIVIDE Verb

MULTIPLY Verb

SUBTRACT Verb

programming structure

TERMINATE verb

transaction-processing software

Raincode compiler

RANDOM intrinsic function

Reading an indexed file

data division

environment division

GetFilmByDirectorId

procedure division

RELATIVE KEY entry

working-storage section

Reading a Relative File

data division

display record

environment division

FILE STATUS clause

procedural division

READ verb

READ statement

data storage

employee.dat file

syntax description

test data file

with records display

Record

buffer

buffer declaration

creation

declarations

occurrence

template

REDEFINES clause

Aromamora PLC specification

See(see Aromamora Base Oil Sales report)

data items

percentages

semantic rules

syntax metalanguage

time conversions

UNSTRING statement

Registers

LINE-COUNTER

PAGE-COUNTER

Relation conditions

metalanguage

samples

Relative file organization

advantages

disadvantages

indexed file

one-dimensional table

Relative file transaction

content

DisplayVehicleRecords

file processing verbs

sequential file to

Relative file verbs

DELETE verb

INVALID KEY clause

OPEN/CLOSE syntax

read verb

ACCESS MODE

direct read, metalanguage

sequential read, metalanguage

REWRITE verb

START verb

metalanguage for

position controller

write verb

RENAMES clause

identification division

procedure division

semantic rules

syntax metalanguage

working-storage section

REPLACING phrase

Report writer

book file

control-break processing

declaratives

COLUMN NUMBER clause

control-break register

crossfooting

elementary print items

ENVIRONMENT DIVISION

FILE SECTION

group definition

GROUP INDICATE clause

handle unexpected file errors

LINE NUMBER clause

NEXT GROUP clause

print lines

Report Description (RD)

RESET ON clause

rolling forward

SOURCE clause

structure of

subtotaling

SUM clause

SUPPRESS PRINTING statement

TYPE clause

version of USE

group types

layout requirement

print specification

PROCEDURE DIVISION

GENERATE verb

INITIATE verb

TERMINATE verb

program creation

CONTROL FOOTING group

DATA DIVISION

DETAIL group

features

PAGE FOOTING group

PAGE HEADING group

PROCEDURE DIVISION

REPORT HEADING group

REPORT SECTION

specification modification

SUM clause

WORKING-STORAGE SECTION

publisher file

registers

LINE-COUNTER

PAGE-COUNTER

solace solar

first page

PROCEDURE DIVISION

specification

tasks

ROUNDED Phrase

SEARCH ALL verb

binary search algorithm

KEY IS clause

metalanguage

SEARCH verb

advantages

American states

letter position

metalanguage

two-dimensional table

declarations

graphical depiction

JeansSalesTable

SELECT and ASSIGN clause

declarations

extension

syntax

usage

Selection constructs

condition names

correct use of

Date-Validation Error Message

design patterns

example program

group item

multiple names

numeric or alphabetic values

overlapping and multiple-value names

rules

set to true

SET verb examples

SET verb metalanguage

single name and value

whole word values

EVALUATE

Acme Book Club example

amusement park example

decision tables

metalanguage

objects

payment totals example

subjects

WHEN branch rules

IF statement

class conditions

complex conditions

END-IF vs. period

relation conditions

sign conditions

implied] [[subjects

nested IF statements

practical exercises

Sequential file(s)

CLOSE statement

control-break processing

detection

program writing

specifications required

template

three-level control break

See(see Control break processing)

typical control break

See(see Control break processing)

data organization

file organization vs. method of access

file update program

program implementation

test data file

method of access

multiple record types

implications

problem specifications

record buffer

type code

See(see Type code)

OPEN statement

ordered and unordered files

practical exercises

printer files

multiple record types, problems

multiple record types, solutions

Report Writer

select and assign

WRITE statement

reading

READ statement

data storage

employee.dat file

syntax description

test data file

with records display

update files

file-update problem

See(see File-update problem)

key field

ordered sequential file

See(see Ordered sequential file)

record matching

transaction file

variable-length records

FD entries

program implementation

varying phrase

WRITE statement

reading and writing to employee file

WRITE..FROM

writing record and reading file

writing records to file end

Sequential file organization

advantages

disadvantages

SET verb

Sign conditions

Software System creation

CALL verb

CANCEL verb

external subprogram

getting state information

IS COMMON PROGRAM Clause

IS EXTERNAL Clause

See(see IS EXTERNAL Clause)

IS EXTERNAL Data Items

See(see IS EXTERNAL Data Items)

IS GLOBAL Clause

IS INITIAL Phrase

knowledge game

metalanguage

parameter passing and data visibility

parameter-passing mechanisms

subprograms

See(see Subprograms)

uses

using COMMON Subprogram

COPY verb

copy library

COPY Statement

COPY Statements with REPLACEMENT Text

data resource

library statement

metalanguage

REPLACING phrase

subprograms

Solace solar

first page

PROCEDURE DIVISION

specification

tasks

String concatenation

definition

STRING verb

DELIMITED BY SIZE clause

JUSTIFIED clause

metalanguage

ON OVERFLOW clause

Pointer

1. i

reference modification

rules

statement

WITH POINTER phrase

String manipulation

String splitting

COUNT IN clause

definition

program

TALLYING clause

UNSTRING verb

ALL phrase

COUNT IN clause

DELIMITED BY clause

DELIMITER IN phrase

END-UNSTRING

metalanguage

ON OVERFLOW clause

reference modification

statement

TALLYING clause

WITH POINTER clause

STRING verb

DELIMITED BY SIZE clause

JUSTIFIED clause

metalanguage

ON OVERFLOW clause

Pointer

1. i

reference modification

rules

statement

WITH POINTER phrase

Strongly typed languages

Subprograms

contained subprograms

vs.external subprograms

EXIT PROGRAM

LINKAGE SECTION

literal value

Subroutines

closed subroutines

COBOL subroutines

open subroutines

Tables

ANS 85

DriverTable

group name

INITIALIZE verb

metalanguage

REDEFINES clause

StateDrivers

VALUE clause

vs. arrays

average sales

candy sales

control-break problem

data program

declaration

OCCURS clause rules

subscript rules

definition

diagrammatic representation

differences

display statements

EVALUATE statement

granularity levels

multidimensional

definition

depiction

granular data

hierarchical structure, COBOL

program

record description

three dimensional

See(see Three dimensional)

prefilled table

creation

Electronics2Go sales file

program

REDEFINES clause

two-dimensional

procedure

program

sales-report program

StateSalesTable

StateSalesTotal

Three dimensional

AgeCategory

CensusFile

population totals

structure

Transaction file (TF)

Truth tables

Type code

graph representation

program implementation

record descriptions

specification required

UNSTRING verb

ALL phrase

COUNT IN clause

DELIMITED BY clause

DELIMITER IN phrase

END-UNSTRING

metalanguage

ON OVERFLOW clause

reference modification

statement

TALLYING clause

WITH POINTER clause

USAGE clause

advantages

COMP

considerations

disadvantages

extensions

memory storage

metalanguage syntax

numeric data

PACKED-DECIMAL

SYNCHRONIZED clause

USAGE IS COMP

Variable-length tables

declaration

OCCURS clause

SEARCH ALL verb

WHEN branch rules

WRITE statement

ADVANCING clause

metalanguage

PAGE option

program implementation

reading and writing to employee file

Report Writer

WRITE..FROM

writing record and reading file

writing records to file end

Zodiac signs compatibility

cusp problem

information file

processing

zodiac table

INDEX Beginning COBOL for Programmers