Microsoft KB Archive/41391

Definition of “Following the ANSI Standard”

PSS ID Number: Q41391 Article last modified on 04-20-1993

2.00 2.10 2.20 3.00 3.00a | 3.00 3.00a MS-DOS | OS/2

The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft COBOL for MS-DOS, versions 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 3.0, and 3.0a - Microsoft COBOL for OS/2, versions 3.0 and 3.0a

Summary:

Question: What does it mean when a language follows the ANSI STANDARD?

Response: ANSI (American National Standards Institute) is a membership organization, founded in 1918, that is devoted to the development of American industry standards. ANSI also coordinates and manages American participation in the International Standards Organization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Through ANSI, American business and industry is able to influence international standards that affect trade. ANSI has more than 1,300 members. Standards pertaining to the computer industry relate to data and communication codes and to programming and data management languages. For example, ANSI COBOL (also called ANS COBOL) is the ANSI-endorsed version of the COBOL programming language. Any vendors stating that their COBOL compilers are ANSI standard must conform to the language standards (e.g. reserved words, syntax, rules) as set forth by ANSI. For more information about ANSI, contact them at the following address and phone number: ANSI 1430 Broadway New York, NY 10018 (212) 354-3300 ANSI compatible refers to a standard defined by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

Additional reference words: 2.00 2.10 2.20 3.00 3.00a Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1993.