Problem:
Using Source Format Fixed.
Why is an asterisk treated as a comment in the sequence number area?
Resolution:
Specify Compiler directive NOMFCOMMENT
Please reference the Cobol Language Manual
Fixed Format
In fixed format, the COBOL source record is divided into the following areas:
Columns 1 - 6 Sequence number
Column 7 Indicator area
Column 8 - 11 Area A
Columns 12 - 72 Area B
A COBOL source record can extend up to a maximum of 80 columns in length. The contents of columns 73 to 80 are ignored by the COBOL system.
Sequence Number
A sequence number of six digits can be used to identify each source program line.
If the first character position of the sequence number field contains an asterisk, or any nonprinting control character (less than the character SPACE in the ASCII collating sequence), then the line is treated as comment and is not output to the listing file or device. This facility allows an output listing file to be used as a source file to a subsequent compilation.
This support is sensitive to the MFCOMMENT Compiler directive.
The sequence number can contain any character in the computer's character set.
Indicator Area
An asterisk (*) in the indicator area marks the line as documentary comment only. Such a comment line can appear anywhere in the program after the IDENTIFICATION DIVISION header. Any characters from the ASCII character set can be included in area A and area B of the line.
The comment lines will not appear in the compiler listing with MFCOMMENT compiler directive as follows:
MFCOMMENT
Treats lines with an asterisk (*) in column 1 the same as comment lines but does not show them in the source listing.
Syntax:
>>-.---.-.----.--MFCOMMENT-----------------><
-/- -NO-
Parameters:
None
Properties:
Default: MFCOMMENT (Dialect )
Phase: Syntax check
$SET: Any
Dependencies:
Set to NOMFCOMMENT at end by SOURCEFORMAT"FREE".
Comments:
With MFCOMMENT, lines with an asterisk in column 1 are ignored by the Compiler and do not appear in the source listing (though they do appear in Animator). With NOMFCOMMENT, the asterisk forms part of the sequence number and has no special significance.
