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COBOL, miscellaneous_topics, source_reference_format
*Conan The Librarian
|
The HP COBOL compiler recognizes two source program formats: ANSI and
terminal.
ANSI format conforms to the American National Standard COBOL reference
format. It describes COBOL programs in terms of character positions on
an input line. A source program line has 80 character positions:
Margin L C A B R
| | | | |
+--------------------------------------------------+
column | 1 - 6 | 7 | 8 - 11 | 12 - 72 | 73 - 80 |
+--------------------------------------------------+
| | | | |
| | Area A Area B Identification Area
| |
| Indicator Area
|
Sequence Number Area
The compiler expects ANSI format only when the command line includes
the /ANSI_FORMAT qualifier.
The HP COBOL terminal format shortens program preparation time and
reduces storage space for source programs. There is no sequence number
or identification area, and the indicator area is combined with Area A.