--- title: "COBOL – Global, Initial, External,Common" description: "The External, Common, Initial and Global are the frequently confusing clauses for COBOL developers. The powerful examples given here are an excellent source to understand and implement by all developers. Read more." url: https://srinimf.com/2012/03/18/cobol-global-initial-externalcommon/ date: 2012-03-18 modified: 2026-10-10 author: "Srini" image: https://i0.wp.com/srinimf.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/pexels-photo-915972.jpeg?fit=1880%2C1253&ssl=1 categories: ["COBOL"] tags: ["COMMON", "EXTERNAL", "Global in COBOL"] type: post lang: en --- # COBOL – Global, Initial, External,Common Here’s the real meaning and usage for Global, Initial, External, and Common COBOL programs. Here, I’ve also covered [how to](https://srinimf.com/2015/05/22/1-more-addition-of-global-variables-in-db2-v11/) use EXTERNAL working-storage variables. ## GLOBAL 01 Data-1   PIC 9(5)** is Global**  value zero. You can use it in all included programs. Only at 01 Level, FD, RD entries. In included programs, you can use a similar data name without Global, which means it is local to that program. Related[CICS Quasi Reentrant Program Means](https://srinimf.com/2012/03/21/cics-quasi-reentrant-program/) ## INITIAL & COMMON ``` PROGRAM-ID. PROGRAM-NAME IS COMMON PROGRAM                                    INITIAL ``` Common program can be called by all programs. But initial programs can be called only from the program that contains it. (INITIAL program **when it calls all the [Special registers](https://srinimf.com/2012/03/15/cobol-special-registers/) will be initialized.**) Here is more information **[online here](https://srinimf.com/2011/02/23/cobol-global-external-initial-common/)** on GLOBAL, External and Initial parameters. ## EXTERNAL Variable In the run unit, any COBOL program or method that has the same data description for the item as the program that contains the item can access and process that item. For example, suppose program A has the following data description: ``` 01 EXT-ITEM1 EXTERNAL PIC 99. ``` Program B can access that [data item](https://srinimf.com/2015/09/07/cobol-usage-is-pointer-data-item/) **if it has the identical data description in its [WORKING-STORAGE SECTION](https://srinimf.com/2016/06/03/cobol-address-of-register-usage-in-likage-section-sendreceive-variables/).** That means in B program, you need to define the same variable. Any program that has access to an EXTERNAL data item can change the value of that item. Therefore do not use this clause for [data items](https://srinimf.com/2015/06/23/cobol-data-division-clauses-1-of-3/) that you need to protect. It is similar to Global. You can not give [value clause](https://srinimf.com/2020/09/06/cobol-value-clause-vs-unstring-errors/). Not to mention in REDEFINES. Related Posts - [COBOL – How to Use ‘ CANCEL’](https://srinimf.com/2011/02/23/cobol-global-external-initial-common/)DateFebruary 23, 2011 - [COBOL: EXTERNAL file Vs GLOBAL file](https://srinimf.com/2015/06/07/how-cobol-sharing-data-between-main-and-subprograms/)DateJune 7, 2015 - [External, Global, Value – Can we Use These in COBOL Linkage?](https://srinimf.com/2021/09/09/external-global-value-can-we-use-these-in-cobol-linkage/)DateSeptember 9, 2021 ### Share this: - - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) - [![](https://i0.wp.com/assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_gray_20.png)](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsrinimf.com%2F2012%2F03%2F18%2Fcobol-global-initial-externalcommon%2F&media=https%3A%2F%2Fi0.wp.com%2Fsrinimf.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F03%2Fpexels-photo-915972.jpeg%3Ffit%3D1200%252C800%26ssl%3D1&description=COBOL%20-%20Global%2C%20Initial%2C%20External%2CCommon) - - [Share on Tumblr](https://www.tumblr.com/share) - [Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp](https://srinimf.com/2012/03/18/cobol-global-initial-externalcommon/?share=jetpack-whatsapp) - [More](#) - - [Print (Opens in new window) Print](https://srinimf.com/2012/03/18/cobol-global-initial-externalcommon/?share=print) - [Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit](https://srinimf.com/2012/03/18/cobol-global-initial-externalcommon/?share=reddit) - [Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram](https://srinimf.com/2012/03/18/cobol-global-initial-externalcommon/?share=telegram) - [Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email](mailto:?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20COBOL%20-%20Global%2C%20Initial%2C%20External%2CCommon&body=https%3A%2F%2Fsrinimf.com%2F2012%2F03%2F18%2Fcobol-global-initial-externalcommon%2F&share=email) - ### Like this: Like Loading…