These micropatterns are formatted comments that are inserted in the code of a Program, a Screen, a Server, or a Macro. These comments call Data Elements that are to be used in the work and linkage areas. When the Program, Screen, or Server is generated again, these micropatterns are expanded with the Data Element format or usage fetched from the repository.
You must declare a COBOL data name without any format.
Three types of micropatterns are specified in the same way. Only the micropattern identifier differs. This identifier determines which of the three Data Element formats is to be fetched upon the next generation.
*!WXx
01 DDSS-DELCO
VALUE SPACE.
or *!WX
01 DDSS-DELCO VALUE SPACE.
where: *!WI
$1
or *!WI
01 DDSS-DEL$1.
*!WX
01 DDSS-DELCO
PICTURE X.
*!WX
01 DDSS-DELCO
PICTURE S9(4) COMP-3.
*!WX
01 DDSS-DELCO
COMP-6.