Technical data

3.1 DATA DIVISION General Format and Rules
Function
The Data Division describes data the program creates, receives as input,
manipulates, and produces as output.
General Format
DATA
DIVISION.
SUB-SCHEMA SECTION.
sub-schema-entry.
keeplist-entry
...
FILE SECTION.
file-description-entry
record-description-entry
... ...
report-file-description-entry
...
sort-merge-file-description-entry
record-description-entry
... ...
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
record-description-entry
...
LINKAGE SECTION.
record-description-entry
...
REPORT SECTION. report-description-entry
report-group-description-entry
...
SCREEN SECTION.
screen-description-entry
. . . (Alpha, I64)
Syntax Rules
1. The Data Division follows the Environment Division.
2. The reserved words DATA DIVISION, followed by a separator period, identify
and begin the Data Division.
General Rules
1. The Data Division has six sections. These sections must be in the following
order:
SUB-SCHEMA SECTION.
FILE SECTION.
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
LINKAGE SECTION.
REPORT SECTION.
SCREEN SECTION. (Alpha, I64)
3–2 Data Division