Slack bytes

• Slack bytes within records: unused character positions that precede each synchronized item in the record
• Slack bytes between records: unused character positions added between blocked logical records

If the RULES=(NOSLACKBYTES) option is in effect, warning messages are issued for any SYNCHONIZED data items that cause the compiler to add slack bytes, either slack bytes within records or slack bytes between records. For details about the RULES option, see RULES in the Enterprise COBOL Programming Guide.