Microsoft KB Archive/36393

Maximum File Sizes Supported by COBOL 3.0; System Limits

PSS ID Number: Q36393 Article last modified on 04-20-1993

3.00 | 3.00 MS-DOS | OS/2

Summary: The system limits of Microsoft COBOL Version 3.0 are documented on Page 9-38 of the “Microsoft COBOL Compiler Version 3.0: Operating Guide.” Page 9-38 incorrectly states that the maximum file size is 2000 megabytes. MS-DOS Version 3.3 (including 3.x and 2.x) and MS OS/2 Version 1.0 can only support a file size up to 32 megabytes (64K disk sectors). MS-DOS Version 4.0 supports files larger than 32 megabytes, but COBOL Version 3.0 has not been tested on Version 4.0 of MS-DOS.

More Information: The following are some additional limits for ISAM files specified on Page 9-38: Maximum record size = 62 kilobytes (62K) Maximum number of records = Maximum file size / (record size + 2 bytes) = 32 megabytes / (record size + 2 bytes) Maximum keys per file = No specifiable limit Maximum length of any key = 255 bytes (includes split keys) NOTE: these figures depend on the system configuration and available memory.

Additional reference words: 3.00 Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1993.