---
title: "COBOL Usage is Display and How it Works"
description: "Yes, why I want to discuss this point is Cobol is procedural language, compared to OO languages like Java, there are some challenges. https://srinimf.com/2012/04/15/cobol-pic-clause-not-needed-for-com..."
url: https://srinimf.com/2013/03/21/cobol-data-challenges1-of-2/
date: 2013-03-21
modified: 2026-10-07
author: "Srini"
image: https://i0.wp.com/srinimf.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/pexels-photo-6373290.jpeg?fit=1880%2C1253&ssl=1
categories: ["COBOL"]
tags: ["COBOL Tips and Tricks"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# COBOL Usage is Display and How it Works

Yes, why I [want to](https://srinimf.com/2016/02/09/want-to-excel-in-ims-dc-programming-read-this/) discuss this point is Cobol is procedural language, compared to OO languages like Java, there are some challenges.

Related[Why ‘PIC’ Clause Not Required for COBOL Comp, Comp-1, Comp-2](https://srinimf.com/2012/04/15/cobol-pic-clause-not-needed-for-comp-1-and-comp-2/)

**scenario_1:**

01 Header-1.

   05 Field-1   PIC X(50) Usage is display.

Even though, usage is optional, the space 50 bytes are allocated, even if we get smaller string into Field-1(suppose 20 bytes). However, COBOL has features INSPECT, STRING, UNSTRING to do string manipulations.

Related[COBOL INSPECT Useful Logic to Find Spaces in String](https://srinimf.com/2016/06/28/how-to-find-number-of-spaces-in-a-string-using-inspect/)

**scenario_2:**

Fixed Files:

The file structure is already defined. The same file is used by multi interfaces.However, if we want add an e-mail address field,we need to change file structure, similarly othere interfaces have to make adjustment,it is laborous.

In my next post I will add some more scenarios.

Related

- [Why ‘PIC’ Clause Not Required for COBOL Comp, Comp-1, Comp-2](https://srinimf.com/2012/04/15/cobol-pic-clause-not-needed-for-comp-1-and-comp-2/)DateApril 15, 2012
- [How to Write COBOL Logic for DB2 VARCHAR Field](https://srinimf.com/2015/08/15/all-about-mainframe-db2-varchar-field/)DateAugust 15, 2015
- [3 Popular Ways to Handle DB2 VARCHAR Field in COBOL](https://srinimf.com/2014/08/14/3-ways-to-handle-db2-varchar-filed-in-cobol/)DateAugust 14, 2014

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