Reference format

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COBOL source text must be written in COBOL reference format, which can be either fixed source format or extended source format.

Fixed source format consists of the following areas in a 72-character line. Extended source format consists of the following areas in a 252-character line.

Sequence number area: Columns 1 through 6
Indicator area: Column 7
Area A: Columns 8 through 11
Area B: Columns 12 through 72 in fixed source format; Columns 12 through 252 in extended source format

Remember: In fixed source format and extended source format, lines shorter than the maximum length are extended with spaces to the maximum length.

This figure illustrates fixed source format for a COBOL source line.

This figure shows the areas and columns of a COBOL source line. The areas and columns are the same as those described in the text above.

This figure illustrates extended source format for a COBOL source line.

This figure shows the areas and columns of a COBOL source line. The areas and columns are the same as those described in the text above.

For information about how to indicate fixed source format or extended source format, see SRCFORMAT in the COBOL for AIX Programming Guide.

The following topics provide details about these areas: