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

encounters is considered to correspond to the nearest previous IF phrase that has not already
been paired with an ELSE, ELSE … END-IF, or isolated END-IF.
• How the Delimited-Scope IF Statement Works
The condition is evaluated. If its value is TRUE, statement-1 is executed. If control reaches
the point immediately following statement-1 (that is, statement-1 completes without
executing a GO TO statement or the equivalent), control passes to the end of the IF statement.
The ELSE phrase, if present, is ignored.
If the value of condition is FALSE and an ELSE phrase is present, statement-2 is executed.
If control reaches the point immediately following statement-2 (that is, statement-2
completes without executing a GO TO statement or the equivalent), control passes to the end
of the IF statement.
If the value of condition is FALSE and there is no ELSE phrase, control passes to the end
of the IF statement.
Figure 16 How the Delimited-Scope IF Statement Works
IF 337