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

5 Identification Division
The Identification Division is required in a COBOL program. It has one required paragraph
(PROGRAM-ID, which specifies the program name), and five optional paragraphs (which specify
your name, the date, and the program purpose). The compiler handles the optional paragraphs
as comments, except for the DATE-COMPILED paragraph, whose presence causes the compiler to
report the compilation time and date in the listing.
Topics:
• Identification Division Syntax
• PROGRAM-ID Paragraph
• DATE-COMPILED Paragraph
Identification Division Syntax
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
is the division header. It must begin in area A, have a space in the indicator field, and be
completely contained on a single program text line.
If the order of the paragraphs differs from that shown, the compiler prints a warning message.
If any paragraph is repeated, the compiler prints an error message.
PROGRAM-ID paragraph
is defined under PROGRAM-ID Paragraph.
AUTHOR paragraph
NOTE: The 1985 COBOL standard classifies the AUTHOR paragraph as obsolete, so you
are advised not to use it. Instead, use a comment, as in Example 23.
96 Identification Division