COBOL Manual for TNS/E Programs (H06.08+, J06.03+)

Figure 7 LINAGE Clause Layout
• Restriction
Because the purpose of the LINAGE clause is to control printing of data, it can be used only
with files assigned to line printer devices or spooler processes.
• Initial Positioning of First Logical Page
Before printing the first logical page, a standard printer file issues a page eject, positioning
itself at the fourth line of the physical page. The run-time routines cannot determine if a printer
file behaves in the standard way or not; therefore, the run-time routines handle all printer files
as if they do; therefore, when the LINAGE clause applies, the OPEN statement operates:
◦ If the value of top is 3 or more
If the value of top is 3 or more, the run-time routines issue a page eject to establish a
known initial position on the physical page. Because the run-time routines now expect
the printer position to be at the fourth line (that is, 3 lines have already been skipped),
they advance the printer by top - 3 lines.
◦ If the value of top is 2 or less
If the value of top is 2 or less, the preceding strategy does not work, because the run-time
routines cannot backspace the printer. The run-time routines assume that the printer is
positioned at the first line, omit the page eject, and advance the printer by top lines.
Examples:
Lines Skipped
TotalAdditionalPage-Eject Issued?Value of top
00No0
11No1
22No2
30Yes (skips 3)3
41Yes (skips 3)4
170 Data Division