Data Definition Language (DDL) Reference Manual

Definition Attributes
Data Definition Language (DDL) Reference Manual—529431-004
6-11
JUSTIFIED
If you use the same help text frequently, you can define a constant containing the help
text and then use the constant name in the DEFINITION statement.
You can combine a help text string with a constant in the same DEFINITION
statement.
JUSTIFIED
The JUSTIFIED clause writes the JUSTIFIED RIGHT clause to COBOL source code
files.
The DDL compiler accepts JUST as an abbreviation for JUSTIFIED
The JUSTIFIED clause can appear only in an alphabetic or alphanumeric elementary
item; it cannot appear in a group item.
An elementary item with a JUSTIFIED clause cannot be subordinate to a group item
with a VALUE clause.
The JUSTIFIED clause is inheritable.
Example 6-8. HELP Clause
DEF address HELP "This is a four-field",
"address consisting of street,"
"city, state code, and ZIP code.".
02 street PIC X(30).
02 city PIC X(20).
02 state PIC X(2).
02 zip PIC X(5).
END
Example 6-9. Using a Constant for Frequently Used Help Text
CONSTANT mdy-date-display VALUE IS "M<99/99/99>".
CONSTANT mdy-date-help VALUE IS "date format: mm/dd/yy".
DEF mdy-date PIC 9(6) DISPLAY mdy-date-display
HELP "Enter date as", mdy-date-help.
Note. The DDL compiler ignores this clause when generating source code for languages other
than COBOL.
JUST[IFIED] RIGHT