Microsoft KB Archive/37403

Compiler Error “SECTION Missing” Returns 13-E Instead of 18-E

PSS ID Number: Q37403 Article last modified on 04-20-1993

3.00 4.00 | 3.00 4.00 MS-DOS | OS/2

Summary: A Microsoft COBOL version 3.0 program that produces a “SECTION missing” error message during compilation will give 13-E as the error number. However, it should return the error number 18-E. The 013 compiler error number is actually “User-name required.” Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem with the Microsoft COBOL Compiler version 3.0 and Microsoft COBOL Professional Development System version 4.0 for MS-DOS and MS OS/2. We are researching this problem and will post new information here as it becomes available.

More Information: The following example program will produce the correct error message with the wrong error number. The error is that FILE-CONTROL is missing the hyphen. After this, many subsequent errors will occur because of this first error. ** 13-E*************   SECTION missing or misspelled. SECTION assumed. Code Example: IDENTIFICATION DIVISION. PROGRAM-ID. RERITE. ENVIRONMENT DIVISION. FILE CONTROL. DATA DIVISION. WORKING-STORAGE SECTION. 01 EXAMPLE PIC X(5). PROCEDURE DIVISION. STOP RUN.

Additional reference words: 3.00 4.00 Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1993.