COBOL Manual for TNS/E Programs (H06.03+)

Environment Division
HP COBOL Manual for TNS/E Programs—520347-003
6-51
FILE-CONTROL Paragraph
ASSIGN clause
associates the COBOL file-name (sd-name ) with a file designated by system-
file-name, or define-name-literal. Only the first system-file-name or
define-name-literal has meaning. The compiler ignores subsequent ones
and issues a warning.
system-file-name
is the name of a disk file that the file system recognizes. Quotation marks must
enclose system-file-name unless it is a COBOL word or begins with a
dollar sign ($), backward slash (\), or number sign (#). For more information
about operating system file names, see the Guardian Procedure Calls
Reference Manual.
define-name-literal
is a nonnumeric literal representing a DEFINE name of type MAP. Quotation
marks must enclose define-name-literal. For more information about
DEFINE names, see DEFINEs.
Usage Considerations:
•
Different Devices for Files
The sort-merge file is a temporary file used by a SORT or MERGE statement.
Programs that define their sort-merge file on a different device than the input or
output file of the SORT or MERGE statement must run more efficiently than those
defining input or output files on the same device as the sort-merge file.
•
Redirecting the Swap File
The operating system assigns a swap file to swap pages in and out of memory
while the compiler is running. The swap file mirrors all of the data areas that the
compiler uses. The ideal swap file is a fast device that is neither busy nor mirrored.
To redirect the swap file, give define-name-literal the value
=_SORT_DEFAULTS.
In Example 6-8, a file-control entry assigns a sort file to a temporary file on the
default volume established at run time.
If you want the temporary file on a different volume than the default, do not use
#TEMP. The phrase
ASSIGN TO "$FLAG"
assigns a temporary file on $FLAG, regardless of the current default volume.
ASSIGN
TO
define-name-literal
system-file-name
VST039.vsd