Reference Formats Supported

The file format of a COBOL source program created or edited using the COBOL editor is determined in accordance with the specified reference format.

The COBOL editor supports the following two reference formats:

Specify the reference format on the [Reference Format] page in the [Preferences] dialog box.

The reference formats are explained separately below.

Columns 1 to 6 of the editor are used for line numbers, which are called sequence numbers.
Column 7 is the indicator column.
Lines with "/", "D", "d", or "*" in the indicator column are treated as comment lines.
"D" or "d" in the indicator column indicates that the text following it is debug-related information. This option is valid while debug build mode is selected.
Columns 8 to 11 are "area A", and columns 12 to 72 are "area B".
Column 73 and subsequent columns are the "program identification area".

Columns 1 to 6 of the editor are used for line numbers, which are called sequence numbers.
Column 7 is the indicator column.
Lines with "/", "D", "d", or "*" in the indicator column are treated as comment lines.
"D" or "d" in the indicator column indicates that the text following it is debug-related information. This option is valid while debug build mode is selected.
Columns 8 to 11 are "area A", and columns 12 to 250 are "area B".
Text in and following column 251 is treated as a comment.

There is no restriction for inserting or appending the text in Free format
In a line if *> is present then from that position to the end of line is treated as in-line comment.

For details, refer to " Editing Files in Different Format"
The reference format can be changed. If the edited file has unsaved changes when an attempt is made to change the reference format, a message to prompt for saving of the file is displayed.
In this event, to change the reference format after saving the changes, select [Yes]. To change the reference format without saving the changes, select [No].