COBOL: How to Create a VB Array

Variable-length arrays (Tables) stores variable-length records. That means record length varies. The best example is NAME In customer information is a variable-length record. To read a customer record you need VB array (dynamic array) in your program.

I have explained the syntax you need to create VB array. In COBOL, the alternate name for an Array is Table.

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COBOL: How to Call Dynamic Array (VB Array).

Sample Logic to Create Array.

01  PRICE-TABLE.
    05  PRICE-GROUP        OCCURS 1 TO 100 TIMES
                           DEPENDING ON PT-ENTRY-COUNT 
                           ASCENDING KEY IS ITEM-NUMBER
                           INDEXED BY PRICE-TABLE-INDEX.
        10  ITEM-NUMBER    PIC 9(3).
        10  ITEM-PRICE     PIC S99V99.
    05 PT-ENTRY-COUNT PIC S9(3).

1. Why OCCURS Clause you need?

Size of the table you can give in the OCCURS clause. Remember, the values start with ‘0’ and maximum any. The MAX number depends on your project.

2. Why DEPENDING ON Clause you need?

Variable that you assign in the DEPENDING ON clause stores the input record-length. Remember, update this variable with record length in your program.

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3. Why ASCENDING KEY Clause you need?

Key clause sorts data in the array in ascending order. Remember, Key and Index are different. if you confused about differences, you can read my post: Key Vs Index Top Differences.

4. Why INDEXED BY Clause you need?

To Store internally the received records in an array you need INDEXED BY Clause. Precisely, INDEXING and Sorting not the same.

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