Compiler Implementation Specifications
• The value of an integer in the WINDOW option of the APPLY clause must be
from 0 to 127, inclusive, or equal to 255.
• The value of the integer in the RESERVE AREAS clause must not be greater
than 127.
• If a data item is allocated more than 65,535 bytes, a COBOL program cannot
reference it except with INITIALIZE and CALL BY REFERENCE.
• Alphanumeric or numeric edited picture character-strings cannot represent
more than 255 standard data format characters.
• Alphanumeric or alphabetic picture character-strings cannot represent more
than 65,535 standard data format characters.
• A nonnumeric literal cannot be greater than 256 characters.
• A hexadecimal literal cannot be greater than 256 hexadecimal digits.
• A PICTURE character-string cannot contain more than 256 characters.
• The number of operands in the USING phrase of a CALL statement cannot
be greater than 255.
• The number of USING files in a SORT or MERGE statement cannot exceed
10.
• On OpenVMS, the maximum number of characters in a subschema pathname
specification is 256. ♦
• The maximum static nesting depth of contained programs is 256.
• The maximum number of characters in a user-word in Compaq COBOL is
31. The maximum number of characters allowed in a user-word as defined
by the ANSI COBOL standard is 30. The compiler issues an informational
diagnostic if you use 31-character user-words. The maximum number of
characters in an external report file name is 30.
• On OpenVMS, the maximum number of strings associated with the /AUDIT
command line qualifier is 64.
• The maximum number of characters in a Oracle CDD/Repository pathname
specification is 256.
• The maximum number of levels in a database subschema record definition
supported by Compaq COBOL is 49.
• The maximum number of digits in a numeric database data item supported
by Compaq COBOL is 31.
• The maximum number of standard data format characters in a character-type
database data item is 65,535. ♦
• The maximum number of digits in a picture character string describing
fixed-point numeric and numeric-edited data items is 31.
• The maximum number of digits in numeric literals is 31.
• The maximum number of characters in a picture character string is 50.
• The maximum number of digits supported in most intrinsic functions is 31.
• The maximum number of digits in numeric SORT/MERGE keys is 31.
• The maximum number of digits in PACKED-DECIMAL (COMP-3) numeric
and unsigned DISPLAY numeric ISAM keys is 31.
A–2 Compiler Implementation Specifications