Problem:
Does Micro Focus COBOL have an option to omit columns 1-6?
(used for sequence#s in punched card days) i.e. begin COBOL text in column 1 (vs column 7)
Resolution:
The Sourceformat compiler directive determines the source program record layout. There are two alternatives:
Sorceformat"Fixed" (the default);
Sourceformat"Free"
The "Fixed" format is the traditional "punched card" layout.
columns 1-6, sequence number'
column 7, indicator area, comments (*), continuation (-), Debugging (D), compiler directives and conditional compilation ($)
columns 8-11, Area A, Division, Section and paragraph names
columns 12-72 Area B, procedural statements
columns 73-80, identification field (ignored by the compiler)
The "Free" format does not conform to any predefined arrangement other than column 1 which is the indicator area.
* a comment line
/ a comment line starting a new page
D or d followed by a space is a debugging line
$ a special line, compiler directive, conditional compilation
The maximum "width" when using Sourceformat"Free" is 255 characters.
