COBOL Variables

Variables in COBOL​

  • A variable is an identifier to hold a particular value or data. It identifies a memory location.
  • In COBOL variables are called as Data Names.
  • It can be a maximum length of 30 characters.
  • Variable must contain only digits(0-9), letters(A-Z), minus sign and Hyphens(-).
  • A Variable must not be a reserved word of COBOL.
  • A Variable should not contain any space in between, start or at end of the variable name.

Example of Variables

Examples of valid Variables are – 

  • XYZ
  • ABC-123
  • A12
  • 9ABC
Examples of in-valid Variables are – 
  • 123_ABC – It does not allow Hyphen
  • ACCEPT – This is a reserved word in COBOL
  • ABC) – It does not allow Special characters
  • MIK+*89

In the diagram which is shown below, we can see how variables are defined in COBOL.

Literals in COBOL​

a) Literals are constants in COBOL. And it is directly hard-coded in the program

b) Literals are of 2 types-

Numeric literal
  • Numeric literal allows a maximum of 18 numbers. Valid values allowed are
  • 0 to 9 (any number)
  • One sign only( either + or -) which has to be used in left side only
  • One decimal only(do not use at the end)

Example – 123

Non-Numeric( Alphanumeric) literal  
  •  Maximum 160 characters in length
  •   Must start and end with quotes

   Example –   “I AM AN EXAMPLE OF NON-NUMERIC LITERAL”                                                                                                                               ‘123’

Figurative Constants in COBOL​

In COBOL Figurative Constants is reserved words. And these constants are predefined(build in) in COBOL.

CAUTION:

Don’t use HIGH-VALUE/HIGH-VALUES/LOW-VALUE/LOW-VALUES with numeric fields

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