Paragraphs

The Input-Output section of the Environment Division contains two paragraphs:
  • FILE-CONTROL paragraph
  • I-O-CONTROL paragraph.

INPUT-OUTPUT Section - Format

Read syntax diagramSkip visual syntax diagramINPUT-OUTPUT SECTION.FILE-CONTROL.file-control-entryI-O-CONTROL.i-o-control-entry.
FILE-CONTROL paragraph
Names and associates the files with the external media.
The keyword FILE-CONTROL may appear only once, at the beginning of the FILE-CONTROL paragraph. It must begin in Area A, and be followed by a separator period.
file-control-entry
Must begin in Area B with a SELECT clause. It must end with a separator period. See FILE-CONTROL Paragraph.
I-O-CONTROL paragraph
Specifies information needed for transmission of data between external media and the COBOL program.
input-output-control-entry
The series of entries must end with a separator period. See I-O-CONTROL Paragraph.

The exact contents of the Input-Output Section depend on the file organization and access methods used. See ORGANIZATION Clause and ACCESS MODE Clause.