Example of Implicit FILLER Assignments

The following COBOL data description produces the computer storage allocation shown in the figure below. An explanation of the symbols used is given below the figure.

01 UNSYNCHRONIZED-RECORD.
    02 UNSYNCHRONIZED-DATA-1        PIC 9(3) DISPLAY.
    02 UNSYNCHRONIZED-DATA-2        PIC X(2).
01 COMPOUND-REPEATED-RECORD.
    02 ELEMENTARY-ITEM-1            PIC X(2).
    02 GROUP-ITEM OCCURS 3 TIMES.
 03 ELEMENTARY-ITEM-2        PIC X.
 03 ELEMENTARY-ITEM-3        PIC S9(2) COMP SYNC.
 03 ELEMENTARY-ITEM-4        PIC S9(4)V9(2) COMP SYNC.
 03 ELEMENTARY-ITEM-5        PIC X(5).
Figure 1. Sample Computer Storage Allocation
Sample Computer Storage Allocation

where:

@ indicates implicit FILLER bytes allocated due to automatic synchronization of a record (01-level) description.
# indicates implicit FILLER bytes allocated when following data item is explicitly synchronized.
$ indicates implicit FILLER bytes allocated when a non-elementary item is subject to an OCCURS clause.
9 indicates bytes allocated for a numeric DISPLAY character.
A indicates bytes allocated for an alphanumeric DISPLAY character.
C indicates bytes allocated for a COMPUTATIONAL data storage.