Abend -

An unexpected or abnormal termination of the program due to some problem in code or data.

Syntax -

It is a system-defined standard that should follow while coding the COBOL statements like MOVE, IF, PERFORM, etc.

Character String -

It is a set of characters used to name something.

Statement -

Individual instructions or commands in COBOL, like MOVE, ADD, DISPLAY, etc.

Sentence -

Groups of COBOL statements ending in a period.

Paragraph | Routine -

It is a set of statements that are coded together separately from PROCEDURE DIVISION to perform a task. We should PERFORM the paragraph to execute it.

Section -

It is a set of paragraph that are coded together separately from PROCEDURE DIVISION. We should PERFORM the section to execute it.

Division -

Major parts used to code the COBOL program, such as the IDENTIFICATION DIVISION, ENVIRONMENT DIVISION, DATA DIVISION, and PROCEDURE DIVISION.

Separator -

It is character(s) used to separate the strings. Example - Space, comma, etc.

Delimiter -

It is used to specify the start or end of the strings. Example - single quote, double quote.

Condition -

It is the expression that results TRUE or FALSE. Based on the return value, the program flow gets decided.

Variable | Data Item -

A Variable is a data name used to hold the value for processing in the program.

Constant -

A constant is a variable that has only one value throughout the execution of the program.

Figurative Constants -

These are system-defined keywords with predefined values.

Literal -

It is the value that is assigned to the variable.

Scope Terminator -

It is a COBOL reserved word that specifies the end of the specific COBOL statements.

Arithmetic Expression -

It is the coding form of arithmetic calculations and it is a combination two or more variables with arithmetic operators (+, -, *, /). Example - WS-A = WS-B + WS-C.

Program -

A program contains the actual code to perform the specific task.

Called Program | Subprogram -

It is the program that is called by many programs to perform a common task.

Main Program -

It is the program that receives the control from the system to perform a task.

Calling Program -

It is the program that calls the another program (subprogram). Sometimes, a calling program may be subprogram.

Nested Program -

It is a program that is coded in another program.

Physical File -

It is the actual file that contains the data in the form of records.

Logical File -

It is a name used in the program that refers the actual physical file.

Copybook -

It is a structure in the form of variables declaration.

Array | Table -

It is a set of similar elements arranged in sequential order and can access with their position. It is also called as Table in COBOL.

Binary Search -

It is an algorithm used on sorted arrays to search the element quickly. The binary search uses the technique of repeatedly dividing the entire array into two parts until found the element.

Intrinsic functions -

These are pre-defined functions that performs mathematical, character, or logical operations.

Compiler -

It is a utility that coverts source code (high-level language) into object code (machine language).

Load modules -

It is an executable component of the program that is generated by the compiler.

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