Record Format; Indexed File Organization; Record Format Availability - Compaq COBOL AAQ2G1FTK User Manual

Processing Files and Records
6.1 Defining Files and Records
Figure 6–5 Indexed File Organization
ABLE
record
ABLE ELM AVE
For a more detailed explanation of indexed file structure on OpenVMS Alpha
systems, see the Guide to OpenVMS File Applications.
For information about specifying file organization in your program, see
Section 6.2.2.

6.1.2 Record Format

Compaq COBOL provides four record format types: fixed, variable, print-control,
and stream. Table 6–2 shows the record format availability.
Table 6–2 Record Format Availability
Fixed length
Variable length
Print control
Stream
The compiler determines the record format from the information that you specify
as follows:
• Fixed record format—Use the RECORD CONTAINS clause. This is the
Compaq COBOL default.
• Variable record format—Use the RECORD CONTAINS TO clause or the
RECORD VARYING clause.
• Print-control (VFC on OpenVMS Alpha systems or ASCII on Tru64 UNIX
and Windows NT systems)—use the Procedure Division ADVANCING phrase,
the Environment Division APPLY PRINT-CONTROL or (on Tru64 UNIX and
Windows NT systems) ASSIGN TO PRINTER clauses, or the Data Division
LINAGE clause, or use Report Writer statements and phrases.
• Stream—Use the FILE-CONTROL ORGANIZATION IS LINE SEQUENTIAL
clause. On OpenVMS Alpha you also get this format with /NOVFC.
6–8 Processing Files and Records
Key Definition
Primary key index (employee name)
...
JONES
record
...
JONES MAIN ST
Sequential
Disk Tape
yes yes
yes yes
yes no
no no
...
SMITH
record
...
SMITH
Line
Sequential Relative
no yes
no yes
no no
yes no
COLT RD
ZK−6058−GE
Indexed
yes
yes
no
no