COBOL Definition tab

In this tab, you indicate the COBOL alias, the formats, and the initial value of the Data. Furthermore, you can associate the Data with an SQL column.

COBOL alias
The COBOL alias is optional. It can be different from the instance name.

If it is specified, it will designate the instance in the COBOL code. If it is not specified, the instance name will designate the instance in the COBOL code.

Default format
This format will be used if no format type is indicated when this Data is used or the requested format type is not specified.

It must be entered as a COBOL picture

You can specify it in the Data creation wizard. In this case, it will be automatically carried over to the other format fields: input format, internal format, and output format. However, all these formats can be modified in the editor.

You can also leave the default format unspecified in the Data creation wizard and specify it in the Data editor.

Internal format
The input format must be entered as a COBOL picture.

It is required. It is generally used when the Data is referenced in the application files (permanent files, databases, temporary files).

You must ensure the compatibility between the input and internal formats.

Input format
The input format must be entered as a COBOL picture without any usage, that is to say with USAGE DISPLAY.

It can be used when the Data is called in an input transaction file in a batch flow.

You must ensure the compatibility between the input and internal formats.

Output format
The output format must be entered as a COBOL picture.

It is used when the Data is included in a document or as a screen field.

Initial value
The initial value is optional. If you indicate it, the value must conform to the internal format of the Data.

Enter a literal that will be used in the generated COBOL VALUE clause.

SQL column definition
You can associate this Data with the definition of an SQL column.

In these fields, you enter the name and SQL format that might be used in a DDL generation.


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