1.1.3.4 "COBOL Language Reference" IBM Library Server

1.1.3.4 LINAGE-COUNTER

A separate LINAGE-COUNTER special register is generated for each FD entry containing a LINAGE clause. When more than one is generated, you must qualify each reference to a LINAGE-COUNTER with its related file-name.

The implicit description of the LINAGE-COUNTER special register is one of the following:

If the LINAGE clause specifies a data-name, LINAGE-COUNTER has the same PICTURE and USAGE as that data-name.
If the LINAGE clause specifies an integer, LINAGE-COUNTER is a binary item with the same number of digits as that integer.

For more information, see "LINAGE Clause" in topic 5.2.9.

The value in LINAGE-COUNTER at any given time is the line number at which the device is positioned within the current page. LINAGE-COUNTER can be referred to in Procedure Division statements; it must not be modified by them.

LINAGE-COUNTER is initialized to 1 when an OPEN statement for its associated file is executed.

LINAGE-COUNTER is automatically modified by any WRITE statement for this file. (See "WRITE Statement" in topic 6.2.40.)

If the file description entry for a sequential file contains the LINAGE clause and the EXTERNAL clause, the LINAGE-COUNTER data item is an external data item. If the file description entry for a sequential file contains the LINAGE clause and the GLOBAL clause, the LINAGE-COUNTER data item is a global data item.

You can specify the LINAGE-COUNTER special register wherever an integer argument to a function is allowed.

Adobe, the Adobe logo, Acrobat, the Acrobat logo, and Acrobat Reader are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems incorporated.

1.1.3.4 LINAGE-COUNTER

IBM Library Server Copyright 1989, 2005 IBM Corporation. All rights reserved.