IDENTIFICATION DIVISION

The IDENTIFICATION DIVISION must be the first division in each COBOL source program, factory definition, object definition, method definition, and function definition. The identification division names the program, class, or method and identifies the factory definition, object definition, or function definition. The IDENTIFICATION DIVISION can include the date a program, class, method, or function was written, the date of compilation, and other such documentary information.

Program IDENTIFICATION DIVISION

For a program, the first paragraph of the IDENTIFICATION DIVISION must be the PROGRAM-ID paragraph. The other paragraphs are optional and can appear in any order.

For details, see PROGRAM-ID paragraph.

Class IDENTIFICATION DIVISION

For a class, the first paragraph of the IDENTIFICATION DIVISION must be the CLASS-ID paragraph. The other paragraphs are optional and can appear in any order.

For details, see CLASS-ID paragraph.

Factory IDENTIFICATION DIVISION

A factory IDENTIFICATION DIVISION contains only a factory paragraph header.

For details, see FACTORY paragraph.

Object IDENTIFICATION DIVISION

An object IDENTIFICATION DIVISION contains only an object paragraph header.

For details, see OBJECT paragraph.

Method IDENTIFICATION DIVISION

For a method, the first paragraph of the IDENTIFICATION DIVISION must be the METHOD-ID paragraph. The other paragraphs are optional and can appear in any order.

For details, see METHOD-ID paragraph.

Function IDENTIFICATION DIVISION

For a user-defined function or function prototype, the first paragraph of the IDENTIFICATION DIVISION must be the FUNCTION-ID paragraph. The other paragraphs are optional and can appear in any order.

For details, see FUNCTION-ID paragraph.