Reference Format Representation

The reference format for a line is represented as shown below:


Reference Format for a COBOL Source Line

The sequence number area occupies six character positions (1-6), and is between margin L and margin C.

The indicator area is the 7th character position of a line.

Area A occupies character positions 8, 9, 10 and 11, and is between margin A and margin B.

Area B occupies character positions 12 through 72 inclusive; it begins immediately to the right of margin B and terminates immediately to the left of margin R.

The program text area consists of both area A and area B. Text-words can begin anywhere in the program text area.