COBOL REDEFINES Example - Cobol-variants Typing CST Test
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COBOL REDEFINES Example — Cobol-variants Code
Use REDEFINES to view same memory as different types.
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
PROGRAM-ID. REDEFINES-EXAMPLE.
DATA DIVISION.
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
01 NUM-BLOCK PIC 9(4) VALUE 1234.
01 DIGITS REDEFINES NUM-BLOCK.
05 D1 PIC 9.
05 D2 PIC 9.
05 D3 PIC 9.
05 D4 PIC 9.
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
DISPLAY 'Original Number: ' NUM-BLOCK.
DISPLAY 'Digits: ' D1 D2 D3 D4.
STOP RUN.Cobol-variants Language Guide
COBOL Variants refer to the different dialects and implementations of COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language), a legacy programming language widely used in business, finance, and administrative systems.
Primary Use Cases
- ▸Processing batch payroll and accounting tasks
- ▸Maintaining enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems
- ▸Handling large-scale transaction processing
- ▸Integrating with mainframe databases like DB2 or IMS
- ▸Reporting and regulatory compliance in finance
Notable Features
- ▸Readable English-like syntax
- ▸Structured programming constructs (PERFORM, IF, EVALUATE)
- ▸File handling and batch processing capabilities
- ▸Database integration via embedded SQL
- ▸Object-oriented features in modern COBOL (OO-COBOL)
Origin & Creator
Developed in 1959 by a consortium including CODASYL and led by Grace Hopper to provide a standardized business programming language.
Industrial Note
Extensively used in banking, insurance, government payroll systems, and mainframe applications where decades-old COBOL systems still operate mission-critical workloads.