Setting language-specific preferences for comparing files

You can set language-specific preferences for comparing COBOL, PL/I, and JCL files from the menu bar, in the compare editor, or in the apply patch window.

Before you begin

This topic explains how to set preferences for the Text Compare editor. For information about how to set preferences for the LPEX compare tool, see

About this task

Typically, the sequence number area is in the following locations:
  • COBOL files: Columns 1-6.
  • PL/I files: Columns 73-80
  • JCL files: Columns 73-80
In COBOL files, the information area is typically the eight columns to the right of margin R, for example, columns 73-80. For AIX® COBOL, the information area can span columns 73-80 or 253-260 depending on the SRCFORMAT option setting. For MVS COBOL, the information area is columns 73-80.

Procedure

  1. From the menu bar:
    1. On the Preferences window, do one of these steps:
      • Click COBOL > Compare/Patch
      • Click PL/I > Compare/Patch
      • Click JCL > Compare/Patch
    2. To ignore the sequence area when you compare files, select Ignore sequence area.
    3. COBOL files: To ignore the information area when you compare files, select Ignore information area.

    4. COBOL and PL/I files: To ignore case, select Ignore case.

    5. To save the settings, click OK.
  2. On the toolbar or menu of the compare editor or on the menu of the apply patch window:
    1. To ignore the COBOL information area or the JCL and PL/I sequence area, click Ignore information area or press Alt+Shift+].
    2. COBOL files: To ignore the COBOL sequence area, click Ignore sequence number area or press Alt+Shift+[.