Concepts of a Compilation Group | Identification Division |
This part describes the base COBOL language definition.
The structure of the entire compilation group is described first. Each component of the compilation group is divided into four divisions.
Material is thus presented on the four divisions - the Identification Division, Environment Division, Data Division and Procedure Division. Within these divisions, material is presented according to COBOL sections, shown by the headers. Clauses, including intrinsic functions and COBOL verbs, are listed in alphabetical order, for ease of use.
Additional language features such as DBCS, Report Writer, Communication and SQL are supported, and are described in your companion manual, Language Reference - Additional Topics.
A compilation group is a series of source units. A source unit may contain other source units and these contained source units may reference some of the resources of the source units within which they are contained.
A compilation group may contain zero, one, or more source units.
A source unit begins with an identification division and includes any contained source units.
With the exception of compiler directives, source text manipulation statements, and end markers, the statements, entries, paragraphs, and sections of a source unit are grouped into four divisions that are sequenced in the following order:
The beginning of a division in a source unit is indicated by the appropriate division header. The beginning of the identification division may also be indicated by one of the paragraph headers permitted in the identification division.
The end of a division in a source unit is indicated by one of the following:
The end of a source unit is indicated by an end marker, if specified, or by the absence of additional source lines in the compilation group.
When a source unit, B, is contained in another source unit, A, it may be directly or indirectly contained. Source unit B is directly contained in source unit A if there is no source unit contained in A that also contains B. Source unit B is indirectly contained in source unit A if there exists a source unit contained in A that also contains B.
A source unit that is directly or indirectly contained within another source unit is considered in these specifications as a separate source unit that may additionally reference certain resources defined in the containing source unit.
The object code resulting from compiling a source unit contained within another source unit is considered in these specifications to be inseparable from the object code resulting from compiling the containing source unit.
A compilation unit is a source unit that is not contained within another source unit. It may be preceded or followed by other compilation units in a compilation group.
A source element is a source unit excluding any nested source units.
A runtime element is the result of compiling a source element.
A runtime module is the result of compiling a compilation unit.
End markers indicate the end of a definition
Copyright © 1998 Micro Focus Limited. All rights reserved.
This document and the proprietary marks and names
used herein are protected by international law.
Concepts of a Compilation Group | Identification Division |