Re: [open-cobol-list] What is a level 77 piece of data

[Duke Normandin]

On Thu, 6 Aug 2009, John Culleton wrote:

> On Wednesday 05 August 2009 05:59:24 pm Duke Normandin wrote:
> > I hope that I'm using the correct terminology - correct me
> > otherwise...
> >
> > 000010 IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
> > 000020 PROGRAM-ID. addition.
> > 000030 ENVIRONMENT DIVISION.
> > 000040 DATA DIVISION.
> > 000050 WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
> > 000060   77  myvar PIC 999.
> >
> > Does OC support "level 77" variables?
> > What is the meaning of "level 77"?
> > Is it legal to use lowercase var. names in OC? COBOL in general?
> > Is it correct to write "level 77" vars in Area B?
>
> Level 77 items have the following characteristics:
> 1. They only exist in WORKING STORAGE.
> 2. For trad layout the 77 goes in columns 8-9.
> 3. They are single data items with no subordinate structure,
> redefines etc.
> 4. When used they come first in WORKING STORAGE.
> 5. They can have level 88 values attached to them.
> 6. They are totally optional. A level 01 will work the same.  Their
> purpose is to make those stand alone  fields stand out from the
> rest.
>
> I use them for switches, like:
> 123456 77  END-FILE- FLAG PICTURE X VALUE "N".
> 123457       88 END-FILE VALUE "Y".

Thanks, John! I get it.....
-- 
Duke
Democracy is two wolves and a sheep deciding what to eat for lunch.
Liberty is a well-armed sheep contesting the vote.