VSI COBOL programs execute in a virtual memory environment. Therefore, programs need not manage physical memory by overlaying Procedure Division code. In VSI COBOL, segmentation controls the assignment of Procedure Division sections to fixed or independent segments. The optional segment-number in the section header specifies the type of segment. Format - section-name SECTION [ segment-number ] .
1 – section-name
names a Procedure Division section.
2 – segment-number
must be an integer in the range 0 through 99. If there is no segment-number in a section header, the implied segment-number is 0.
3 – fixed_segments
Fixed segments appear to reside in memory at all times. A fixed segment is in its initial state the first time the program calls it. On later calls, the fixed segment is in its last-used state.
4 – independent_segments
The state of an independent segment depends on how and when it receives control.