Ch 3_2. DATA DIVISION (2)
Goup Items
- are defined by a level number and a name, which is followed by a
period.
- Group items cannot have PIC clause
Level Number
- RECORD - 01 at column 8
- 02 ~ 49: group or fields within a record
- Cf. work area in WORKING-STORAGE SECTION
Elementary Items or Fields
- Not further subdivided
- Must be described with a PICTURE (or PIC) clause.
PIC Clause
- to specify the type of data contained within an elementary item
- to indicate the size of the field
Types of Data Fields for PIC
- A: Alphabetic
letters or blanks
- X: Alphanumeric
Any character (letters, digits, blanks,and/or special characters)
- 9: Numeric
Only digits, and +, - sign
Used in arithmetic operations