---
title: "Here is Logic to Use Variable-length Records Linkage Section"
description: "Many mainframe programmers asked -Can give VB record in Linkages Section. The answer is yes. Below is the best example for VB Record: https://srinimf.com/2020/09/19/sequential-vs-relative-files-top-di..."
url: https://srinimf.com/2016/02/01/how-to-give-vb-record-in-linkage-section/
date: 2016-02-01
modified: 2026-10-10
author: "Srini"
image: https://i0.wp.com/srinimf.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/pexels-photo-1639047.jpeg?fit=1880%2C1251&ssl=1
categories: ["COBOL"]
tags: ["COBOL VB Record in LInkage Section Example"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# Here is Logic to Use Variable-length Records Linkage Section

Many [mainframe programmers](https://srinimf.com/2015/07/22/easytrieve-guide-for-mainframe-programmers-6-of-20/) asked -Can give VB record in Linkages Section. The answer is yes. Below is the best example for VB Record:

Related[Sequential and Relative files Here’re Quick Differences](https://srinimf.com/2020/09/19/sequential-vs-relative-files-top-differences/)

## Variable Length Record COBOL

```
LINKAGE SECTION.
01 RECORD-FLAGS PIC 9(8) BINARY.
 88 FIRST-REC VALUE 00.
88 MIDDLE-REC VALUE 04.
88 END-REC VALUE 08.
01 LEAVING-REC.
     05 LREC OCCURS 1 TO 200 TIMES
          DEPENDING ON LEAVING-REC-LEN PIC X.
01 RETURN-REC.
    05 RREC OCCURS 1 TO 200 TIMES
         DEPENDING ON RETURN-REC-LEN PIC X.
 01 OUTPUT-REC.
    05 OREC OCCURS 1 TO 200 TIMES
         DEPENDING ON OUTPUT-REC-LEN PIC X.
01 UNUSED1 PIC 9(8) BINARY.
01 LEAVING-REC-LEN PIC 9(8) BINARY.
01 RETURN-REC-LEN PIC 9(8) BINARY.
01 OUTPUT-REC-LEN PIC 9(8) BINARY.
01 EXITAREA-LEN PIC 9(4) BINARY.
01 EXITAREA.
    05 EAREA OCCURS 1 TO 256 TIMES
        DEPENDING ON EXITAREA-LEN PIC X.
```

Related[COBOL Tough Questions (3 of 3)](https://srinimf.com/2012/01/17/cobol-tough-questions-3-of-3/)

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