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

About This Document
This publication describes the HP implementation of the 1985 version, and portions of the 2002
version, of the COBOL language. It includes information on the ECOBOL compiler (T0356) and
program execution, task-oriented information to help an experienced COBOL programmer use HP
COBOL for NonStop™ systems, and summaries of compiler and run-time error messages.
Supported Release Version Updates (RVUs)
This publication supports H06.08 and all subsequent H-series RVUs and J06.03 and subsequent
J-series RVUs until otherwise indicated in a replacement publication.
To use increased Enscribe limits, the minimum RVUs are H06.28 and J06.17 with specific SPRs.
For a list of the required SPRs, see “SPR Requirements for Increased Enscribe Limits for the
H06.28/J06.17 Release” (page 38).
Intended Audience
This manual is a complete reference book for experienced COBOL programmers who want to use
HP COBOL for NonStop systems (HP COBOL). It explains every feature of the HP COBOL
programming language. To understand its explanations, you must have some experience with
structured (1974 or 1985) COBOL. If you do not, read an introductory text first.
Acknowledgment
COBOL is an industry language and is not the property of any company or group of companies,
or of any organization or group of organizations.
No warranty, expressed or implied, is made by any contributor or by the CODASYL COBOL
Committee as to the accuracy and functioning of the programming system and language. Moreover,
no responsibility is assumed by any contributor, or by the committee, in connection herewith.
The authors and copyright holders of the copyrighted material used herein:
FLOW-MATIC (trademark of Sperry Rand Corporation), Programming for the UNIVAC (R) I and
II, Data Automation Systems copyrighted 1958, 1959, by Sperry Rand Corporation; IBM
Commercial Translator Form No. F 28-8013, copyrighted 1959 by IBM; FACT, DSI 27A5260-2760,
copyrighted 1960 by Minneapolis-Honeywell
have specifically authorized the use of this material in whole or in part, in the COBOL specifications.
Such authorization extends to the reproduction and use of COBOL specifications in programming
manuals or similar publications.
New and Changed Information
Changes to this manual are itemized for each RVU.
New and Changed Information for 520347–011
• Updated the maximum block length allowed for INDEXED Files as 32768 in “HP COBOL
Limits” (page 726).
• Added new information in Table 69 (page 457).
• Updated the description of error 354 (page 1156).
• Added a new error 615 (page 1176).
• Updated the information on the allowed number of records and character positions in BLOCK
CONTAINS Clause (page 162).
• Added information on the allowed size of records for disk files in “MERGE” (page 360).
Supported Release Version Updates (RVUs) 25