Configuration section

The configuration section is an optional section for programs, functions, prototypes, and classes, 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.

Class configuration section
Specify the configuration section in the ENVIRONMENT DIVISION of a class definition. The repository paragraph can be specified in the ENVIRONMENT DIVISION of a class definition.

Entries in a class configuration section apply to the entire class definition, including all methods introduced by that class.

Method configuration section
The input-output section can be specified in a method configuration section. The entries apply only to the method in which the configuration section is specified.
User-defined function configuration section
Specify the configuration section in the ENVIRONMENT DIVISION of a user-defined function definition.
Function prototype configuration section
Specify the configuration section in the ENVIRONMENT DIVISION of a function prototype definition.

Format:

Read syntax diagramSkip visual syntax diagramCONFIGURATION SECTION. source-computer-paragraph object-computer-paragraph special-names-paragraph repository-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
  • Relate class-names to sets of characters
  • Relate object-oriented class names to external class-names and identify class-names that can be used in a class definition or program
  • Relate xml-schema-names to ddnames or environment variable names identifying files containing XML schemas