RE: Testing for valid numeric in an alpha field

cobol400-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

>   8. RE: Testing for valid numeric in an alpha field
>
>Just an example on IF's in COBOL:
>
>IF A                    = X
>     IF B                       = Y
>          IF C          = Z
>        DO SOMETHING 
>         END-IF
>     END-IF
>END-IF.
>
>The END-IF's just make the code easier to read....

Easier to read for me, definitely. As a personal style, I also would place that 
ending period on a separate line by itself and I would only use it if it ended 
a paragraph in order to avoid the syntax message. (Or does it actually error? 
Been so long since I've tested it, not sure.)

Seems like the only places where periods are needed in the Procedure Division 
is at the end of paragraph/section labels and at the end of paragraphs 
(ignoring decimal points, etc.). By placing it on a separate line and relying 
on scope terminators such as END-IF, END-READ or END-PERFORM, it's easy to 
insert new lines without being concerned about proper period placement. The 
scope terminators make it clearer which statement is being terminated.

Tom Liotta

-- 
Tom Liotta
The PowerTech Group, Inc.
19426 68th Avenue South
Kent, WA 98032
Phone  253-872-7788 x313
Fax    253-872-7904
http://www.powertechgroup.com


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