1 – ASSIGN
The ASSIGN clause associates a file with a partial or a complete file specification. Format - ASSIGN TO file-spec
1.1 – file-spec
is a nonnumeric literal or a COBOL word formed according to the rules for user-defined names. It represents a partial or complete file specification.
2 – BLOCK_CONTAINS
The BLOCK CONTAINS clause specifies the size of a physical record. Format - BLOCK CONTAINS [smallest-block TO] blocksize { RECORDS } { CHARACTERS }
2.1 – smallest-block
is an integer literal. It specifies the minimum physical record size.
2.2 – blocksize
is an integer literal. It specifies the exact or maximum physical record size.
3 – CODE-SET
The CODE-SET clause specifies the representation of data on external media. Format - CODE-SET IS alphabet-name
3.1 – alphabet-name
is the name of a character set defined in the SPECIAL-NAMES paragraph. It cannot be described with literals in the ALPHABET clause.
4 – LOCK_MODE
The LOCK MODE clause specifies a locking technique to use for a file. LOCK MODE is part of the X/Open COBOL standard. Format - [ { MANUAL WITH LOCK ON MULTIPLE RECORDS } ] [LOCK MODE IS { AUTOMATIC [WITH LOCK ON RECORD] } ] [ { EXCLUSIVE } ]
5 – ORGANIZATION
The ORGANIZATION clause specifies a file's logical structure. Format - { SEQUENTIAL } [ ORGANIZATION IS ] { LINE SEQUENTIAL } { RELATIVE } { INDEXED }
6 – PADDING_CHARACTER
The PADDING CHARACTER clause specifies the character to be used to pad blocks in sequential files. Format - PADDING CHARACTER IS pad-char
6.1 – pad-char
is a one-character nonnumeric literal or the data-name of a one-character data item. The data-name can be qualified.
7 – RECORD_DELIMITER
The RECORD DELIMITER clause indicates the method of determining the length of a variable record on the external medium. It is for documentation only. Format - RECORD DELIMITER IS STANDARD-1
8 – RESERVE
The RESERVE clause specifies the number of input-output buffers for a file. Format - RESERVE reserve-num [ AREA ] [ AREAS ]
8.1 – reserve-num
is an integer literal from 1 through 127. It specifies the number of input-output areas for the file.