Data-name or FILLER clause

Function

A data-name specifies the data being described. The reserved word FILLER specifies an elementary or group item which is never referenced explicitly and therefore need not be given a name.

Format

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level-number [data-name | FILLER]

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(The level number is not part of the data-name or FILLER clause; it is shown here merely for purposes of clarity.)

Syntax rules

1. data-name must be formed according to the rules for user-defined words.

2. In the FILE, WORKING-STORAGE, LOCAL-STORAGE and LINKAGE SECTION, the first word in a data description entry following the level number must be a data-name or the reserved word FILLER.

3. The reserved word FILLER is used to give a name to an elementary item or group item which is never referenced in the program, and therefore does not require a data-name. A FILLER data item cannot be referenced directly.

4. If the data-name or FILLER entry is omitted, FILLER is assumed.

General rule

1. All referenced 01 and 77-level entries in the WORKING-STORAGE, LOCAL-STORAGE and LINKAGE SECTION must, if they are to be referenced, be given unique data-names, since neither type of entry can be qualified. A subordinate data-name need not be unique if it can be qualified in a manner which makes it unique.

Example 7-6

01 REC.
02 FIRST-NUMBER     PICTURE 9(8).
02 SECOND-NUMBER    PICTURE 9(12).
02 FILLER           PICTURE X(60).

Here, a record is identified by the data-name RECORD, and its first two fields are identified by the data-names FIRST-NUMBER and SECOND-NUMBER. Since the third field is not referenced in the program, its level number is followed by the reserved word FILLER.