Record Description Entry

A record description entry describes the name, size, and format of a COBOL logical record or data item.

General Format

{ data-description-entry } ...

Syntax Rule

The first data description entry of a record must have a level-number of 01 or 77 and start in Area A.

General Rules

  1. Any data description entry which is not further subdivided is called an elementary item. A record itself may consist of an elementary item consisting of a single level 01 data description entry. A non-elementary entry is called a group item.
  2. An elementary data item that is not part of a larger record must have a level-number of 01 or 77.
  3. A group item that is not part of an enclosing group item must have a level-number of 01.