Coding Standards for Database Files › Coding Standards for COBOL Programs › Naming Standards in COBOL › COBOL Parameter and Key Lists

COBOL Parameter and Key Lists

The following naming convention should be used for naming data structures that represent key lists in order to make the association between the data structure and the file that it reads, clear:

• List type: ‘K’ for a KLIST.
• Mnemonic (MMMM): the mnemonic of the format being read.
• Suffix (Q): A suffix used to distinguish between lists for the same format/program. For example, if the format name was ZABAFQQ, the key list would be KABAF.

In standard programs, it may be more appropriate to name key lists after the role they perform; for example, KRST and KPOS when using restrictor and positioner keys.