The VSI COBOL compiler recognizes two source program formats: ANSI and terminal.
1 – ANSI format
ANSI format conforms to the American National Standard COBOL reference format. It describes COBOL programs in terms of character positions on an input line. A source program line has 80 character positions: Margin L C A B R | | | | | +--------------------------------------------------+ column | 1 - 6 | 7 | 8 - 11 | 12 - 72 | 73 - 80 | +--------------------------------------------------+ | | | | | | | Area A Area B Identification Area | | | Indicator Area | Sequence Number Area The compiler expects ANSI format only when the command line includes the /ANSI_FORMAT qualifier.
2 – terminal_format
The VSI COBOL terminal format shortens program preparation time and reduces storage space for source programs. There is no sequence number or identification area, and the indicator area is combined with Area A.