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