Common Entries

The following entries are common to all RPG specifications preceding program data:

• Positions 1-5 can be used for comments.
• Specification type (position 6). The following letter codes can be used:

  Entry

  Specification Type

  H

  Control

  F

  File description

  D

  Definition

  I

  Input

  C

  Calculation

  O

  Output

  P

  Procedure

• Comment Statements
  • Position 7 contains an asterisk (*). This will denote the line as a comment line regardless of any other entry on the specification. In a free-form calculation specification, you can use // for a comment. Any line on any fixed-form specification that begins with // is considered a comment by the compiler. The // can start in any position provided that positions 6 to the // characters contain blanks.
  • Positions 6 to 80 are blank.
• Positions 7 to 80 are blank and position 6 contains a valid specification. This is a valid line, not a comment, and sequence rules are enforced.