Coding Standards for Database Files › Coding Standards for COBOL Programs

Coding Standards for COBOL Programs

The majority of the guidelines given in this section are concerned with making the COBOL code easy to follow and understand, and the intent clear. The section is grouped under the following headings:

• Program layout—Basic conventions for documentation and spacing.
• Coding techniques—Preferred methods for using structured coding techniques.
• Naming standards—Conventions for naming variables (formats, fields, arrays, indicators) in a consistent manner.
• Techniques—Date handling, job name/operator ID, calculation checks.

All examples presented use COBOL ‘85 syntax, unless otherwise stated.

Note: For more information on the standards for COBOL programs, refer to the appendix, "Programming and Coding Examples."