What's the bright side of Cobol? [closed]

Answer 1

You can also redefine records to allow processing of text files of multiple record types.

01 my-address-record.
   02 my-record-type      pic x.
   02 my-street           pic x(20).
   02 my-city             pic x(20).
   02 my-state            pic x(2).
   02 my-zip              pic x(5).
   02 filler              pic x(3).
01 my-comments-record redefines my-address-record.
   02 filler              pic x.
   02 my-comments         pic x(50).
01 my-automobiles redefines my-address-record.
   02 filler              pic x.
   02 year                pic 9(4).
   02 make                pic x(20).
   02 model               pic x(20).
   02 filler              pic x(6).


--code--
if my-record-type = 'a'
   ... process address
else if my-record-type = 'b'
   ... process comments
else if my-record-type = 'c'
   ... process automobiles.