COBOL Manual for TNS and TNS/R Programs

Environment Division
HP COBOL Manual for TNS and TNS/R Programs—522555-006
6-63
I-O-CONTROL Paragraph
MULTIPLE FILE Clause
tape-file
is the file name of a file on the tape that the program uses. Regardless of the
number of files on a single reel, only files that the program uses need to be
defined; however, if any file in the set is not listed, or if the files are not listed in the
order they occur on the tape, then each file’s position relative to the beginning of
the tape must be specified.
POSITION
is unnecessary when you list all the files on the tape in physical order; otherwise, it
is required.
position
is an integer data item whose value is the ordinal number of a file on the tape. The
first file on the tape has position 1; the second, position 2; and so on.
For information on multiple-tape format, see the Guardian Programmer’s Guide.
Note. The 1985 COBOL standard classifies the MULTIPLE FILE clause as obsolete, so you
are advised not to use it.
FILE
CONTAINS
MULTIPLE
TAPE
tape-file
POSITION
position
VST061.vsd