Data Division Entries
Each Data Division entry begins with a level indicator or a level-number, followed by a space, followed by its associated name
if any
, followed by a sequence of independent descriptive clauses. The last clause is always terminated by a period followed by a space.
There are two types of Data Division entry; those which begin with a level indicator and those which begin with a level-number.
A level indicator is any of the following:
- FD (see the topic File Description Entry Skeleton),
- SD (see the topic File Description Entry Skeleton),
In those Data Division entries that begin with a level indicator, the level indicator begins in area A followed by a space and followed in area B
or area A
with its associated name and appropriate descriptive information.
Those Data Division entries that begin with level-numbers are called data description entries.
A level-number has a value taken from the set of values 1 through 49, 66, 77
, 78
and 88. Level-numbers in the range 1 through 9 can be written either as a single digit or as a zero followed by a significant digit. At least one space must separate a level-number from the word following the level-number.
In those data description entries that begin with level-number 01 or 77, the level-number begins in area A followed by a space and followed in area B
or area A
by its associated record-name or item-name and appropriate descriptive information.
Successive data description entries can have the same format as the first and are indented according to level-number. Indentation does not affect the magnitude of a level-number.
When level-numbers are to be indented, each new level-number can begin any number of spaces to the right of margin A. The extent of indentation to the right is determined only by the width of the physical medium.
Data descriptions and level numbers other than 01 and 77 can also begin in area A.