Describing the data

Define the characteristics of your data, and group your data definitions into one or more of the sections in the DATA DIVISION.

About this task

You can use these sections for defining the following types of data:

  • Data used in input-output operations: FILE SECTION
  • Data developed for internal processing:
    • To have storage be statically allocated and exist for the life of the run unit: WORKING-STORAGE SECTION
    • To have storage be allocated each time a program is entered, and deallocated on return from the program: LOCAL-STORAGE SECTION
  • Data from another program: LINKAGE SECTION