File position indicator
The file position indicator marks the next record to be accessed for sequential COBOL requests.
You do not explicitly set the file position indicator
anywhere in your program. It is set by successful OPEN, START, READ, READ
NEXT, and READ PREVIOUS statements. Subsequent READ, READ
NEXT, or READ PREVIOUS requests use the
established file position indicator location and update it.
The
file position indicator is not used or affected by the output statements WRITE, REWRITE,
or DELETE. The file position indicator has no meaning
for random processing.