Data addresses and data pointers

The term data address refers to the storage location of an elementary data item. It is addressed via a data address specified. A data address specifier may not be used as a receiving item. Here you should note that the ADDRESS OF phrase for the receiving item in the SET statement does not represent a data address identifier but is instead part of the SET syntax.

A data pointer (also known as a pointer) is an elementary data item in which a data address can be stored.

The data address of an elementary data item defined with a BASED clause can be set either by means of a data address identifier or using a data pointer. Data addresses and data pointers can be passed to other source units and returned by them.