---
title: "5 Top Limitations of COBOL SEARCH ALL"
description: "The condition following the word WHEN can test only for equality: Valid: WHEN T-CUSTOMER-NO (X1) = CUST-NO-IN. Invalid: WHEN T-WEIGHT-MAX (X1) < WEIGHT-MAILED. https://srinimf.com/2016/01/06/best-exam..."
url: https://srinimf.com/2016/01/07/5-top-limitations-of-cobol-search-all/
date: 2016-01-07
modified: 2026-10-10
author: "Srini"
image: https://i0.wp.com/srinimf.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/pexels-photo-5597694.jpeg?fit=1880%2C1296&ssl=1
categories: ["COBOL"]
tags: ["Search All in COBOL"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# 5 Top Limitations of COBOL SEARCH ALL

The condition following the word WHEN can test only for equality:

**Valid: **WHEN T-CUSTOMER-NO (X1) = CUST-NO-IN

**Invalid: **WHEN T-WEIGHT-MAX (X1) < WEIGHT-MAILED

Related[Best Example for COBOL SEARCH and WHEN Condition](https://srinimf.com/2016/01/06/best-example-for-cobol-search-and-when-condition/)

## If the condition following the word WHEN is a compound conditional:

- a. Each part of the conditional can only consist of a relational test that involves an equal condition.
- b. The only compound condition permitted is with ANDs, not ORs.Valid: WHEN S-AMT (X1) = AMT1 AND TAX-AMT (X1) = AMT2Invalid: WHEN SALES-AMT (X1) = AMT3 OR AMT4 = AMT5
- Only one WHEN clause can be used with a [SEARCH ALL](https://srinimf.com/2015/10/02/cobol-search-and-search-all-differences/). The VARYING option may not be used with the SEARCH ALL.

Related[How to Create VB file Using Varying Clause in COBOL](https://srinimf.com/2010/09/02/cobol-variable-recordvb-files/)

## The OCCURS item and its index, which define the table argument, must appear to the left of the equal sign.

Valid: WHEN S-AMT (X1) = AMT1…
Invalid: WHEN AMT1 = S-AMT (X1)…

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