COBOL Manual for TNS and TNS/R Programs

Data Division
HP COBOL Manual for TNS and TNS/R Programs—522555-006
7-26
File Description Entries
Usage Considerations:
•
The Logical Page
The size of a logical page is the sum of the top and bottom margins and the body.
The logical page is not necessarily the same size as the physical page.
•
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
Figure 7-1. LINAGE Clause Layout
Top Margin
Body
(Includes Footing)
Footing
Bottom Margin
Top
Body
Bottom
VST708.vsd