Format for COBOL Programs:

The COBOL is a high-level language. Therefore, a COBOL program can be executed on a computer for which a COBOL compiler exists. The compiler translates the COBOL source program into the machine language object program. The object program is really executed.

The COBOL programs are written in the coding sheets. There are 80 columns in a line of a coding sheet. The page number is coded in the columns 1-3 and the line numbers are coded in columns 4-6. The page and line numbers mutually termed as the sequence number. Based on the type, the entries are coded both from the column 8 or column 12 and in both cases it can be continued up to column 72. The Columns 73-80 can be used to write some identification. The compiler ignores anything which is given in columns 73-80 except when a printed copy of the program is given by the compiler in that case the entries in columns 73-80 are also listed. The use of sequence number is optional and can be omitted. Though, when sequence numbers are given they must appear in the ascending order.

Column                       Field

1-3                    Page Number

4-6                    Line Number (1-6 Sequence Number)

7                       Continuation / Comment

8-11                  A - Margin / Area A

12-72                B- Margin /Area B

73-80                Identification