---
title: "COBOL CALL BY Reference and CALL BY Content"
description: "The simple and crispy answer for COBOL call by reference and content."
url: https://srinimf.com/2017/03/02/cobol-call-by-reference-and-call-by-content/
date: 2017-03-02
modified: 2026-10-10
author: "Srini"
image: https://i0.wp.com/srinimf.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/pexels-photo-3760323.jpeg?fit=1880%2C1253&ssl=1
categories: ["COBOL"]
tags: ["COBOL Call By Content", "COBOL Call By Reference"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# COBOL CALL BY Reference and CALL BY Content

Here is logic on [how to](https://srinimf.com/2013/04/11/bpxwdyn-utility-to-allocate-file/) pass data in COBOL using CALL BY Value and CALL BY Reference methods in COBOL.  

Related[Cobol Tough Questions (1 of 3)](https://srinimf.com/2012/01/01/cobol-tough-questions-1-of-3/)

## How to Pass data From Main module to Submodule

You can do it in two ways. One is sharing address to sub-module, and the other is passing only content.

### CALL BY Reference

**Call** ‘**abcd**‘ **using** **data-1.**

Here you share the address. So the called program can receive data that modified by the submodule. The CALL BY Reference is the default method in COBOL.

### CALL BY Content

In the second case, you pass only data, and the called program can’t receive back from the submodule.

Related[Real Personality Development Training](https://srinimf.com/2017/10/14/awesome-motivational-video-to-quick-self-development/)

**Call** ‘**abcd**‘ **by** **content** **using** **data-1**.

- It is called **CALL BY content**. The called program can’t receive modified data (by Submodule).
- Suppose, you pass **DATE** to a submodule. But, the called program doesn’t receive it back since it is not needed. Here you can use this method. [Here is list of free to download COBOL Materials.](https://srinimf.com/2016/04/02/srinimf-downloads/)

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