Microsoft KB Archive/51168

COBOL 3.00: Boxed Square Braces Mean Mandatory in ANSI ’74

PSS ID Number: Q51168 Article last modified on 12-29-1989

3.00 3.00a | 3.00 3.00a MS-DOS | OS/2

Summary: Boxed braces around an item in the COBOL Version 3.00 manuals indicate that an item or material is required in ANSI ’74 COBOL, but it can be omitted in some of the other language extensions. The language extensions for which it can be omitted are indicated next to the box. In the preface on Page iv of the “Microsoft COBOL Compiler 3.0: Language Reference Manual” for Versions 3.00 and 3.00a, item number 6 incorrectly states that boxed braces mean that an item is mandatory in ANSI ’85 COBOL instead of saying that the material is mandatory for ANSI ’74 COBOL. In the preface on Page iv of the “Microsoft COBOL Compiler 3.0: Pocket Guide” for Versions 3.00 and 3.00a, item 6 gives the correct description for how to interpret boxed braces. This information applies to Microsoft COBOL Versions 3.00 and 3.00a for MS-DOS and MS OS/2.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1989.