![]() | 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 and Report Writer 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.
call-prototypes and
function-prototypes
must precede all other types of source units.
End markers indicate the end of a definition
If the PROPERTY phrase is
specified in the METHOD-ID paragraph, method-name-1 shall be omitted.
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![]() | Concepts of a Compilation Group | Identification Division | ![]() |