Levels of data in a record description entry

Each group and elementary item in a record requires a separate entry, and each must be assigned a level-number.

A level-number is a one-digit or two-digit integer between 01 and 49, or one of three special level-numbers: 66, 77, or 88. The following level-numbers are used to structure records:

01
This level-number specifies the record itself, and is the most inclusive level-number possible. A level-01 entry can be an alphanumeric group item, a national group item, or an elementary item. The level number must begin in Area A.
02 through 49
These level-numbers specify group and elementary items within a record. They can begin in Area A or Area B. Less inclusive data items are assigned higher (not necessarily consecutive) level-numbers in this series.

The relationship between level-numbers within a group item defines the hierarchy of data within that group.

A group item includes all group and elementary items that follow it until a level-number less than or equal to the level-number of that group is encountered.

The following figure illustrates a group wherein all groups immediately subordinate to the level-01 entry have the same level-number.

This figure shows a record description that has subordinate groups and elementary items. The storage layout of items within groups is shown.Link to detail.

You can also define groups with subordinate items that have different level-numbers for the same level in the hierarchy. For example, 05 EMPLOYEE-NAME and 04 EMPLOYEE-ADDRESS in EMPLOYEE-RECORD below define the same level in the hierarchy. The compiler renumbers the levels in a relative fashion, as shown in MAP output.


01   EMPLOYEE-RECORD.
     05  EMPLOYEE-NAME.
         10  FIRST-NAME PICTURE  X(10).
         10  LAST-NAME  PICTURE  X(10).
     04  EMPLOYEE-ADDRESS.
         08  STREET     PICTURE  X(10).
         08  CITY       PICTURE  X(10).

The following record description entry defines the same data hierarchy as the preceding record description entry:


01   EMPLOYEE-RECORD.
     02  EMPLOYEE-NAME.
         03  FIRST-NAME PICTURE  X(10).
         03  LAST-NAME  PICTURE  X(10).
     02  EMPLOYEE-ADDRESS.
         03  STREET     PICTURE  X(10).
         03  CITY       PICTURE  X(10).

Elementary items can be specified at any level within the hierarchy.