Author Description

This standard reference manual presents the format and use of the COBOL programming language, incorporating Third Standard COBOL, also known as COBOL-85, which is the latest standard form of the language. Using this book in conjunction with the documentation for your compiler, your programs will be transportable to other compilers that conform to the new standard. Chapter 1 summarizes basic concepts and features of COBOL programs. Chapters 2 through 5 cover the COBOL-85 components in each of the four main divisions in the Nucleus module. Chapter 6 covers the use of the Interprogram Communication module. Chapter 7 discusses the use of file I/O: it deals with the Sequential, Relative, and Indexed modules. Chapter 8 explains the use of the Sort/Merge module. The remaining COBOL modules are covered briefly in Appendix C.