Configuration section

The configuration section is an optional section for programs, and can describe the computer environment on which the program or class is compiled and executed.

Program configuration section
The configuration section can be specified only in the ENVIRONMENT DIVISION of the outermost program of a COBOL source program.

You should not specify the configuration section in a program that is contained within another program. The entries specified in the configuration section of a program apply to any program contained within that program.

Format:

Read syntax diagramSkip visual syntax diagramCONFIGURATION SECTION. source-computer-paragraph object-computer-paragraph special-names-paragraph

The configuration section can:

  • Relate IBM®-defined environment-names to user-defined mnemonic names
  • Specify the collating sequence
  • Specify a currency sign value, and the currency symbol used in the PICTURE clause to represent the currency sign value
  • Exchange the functions of the comma and the period in PICTURE clauses and numeric literals
  • Relate alphabet-names to character sets or collating sequences
  • Specify symbolic characters
  • Specify the default formats for a date or time data type