Post #1
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Alex
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Joined: Jun 15, 2026, 9:20 AM
Posted: Aug 4, 2026, 12:37 PM
Old code has periods everywhere. New examples use END-IF and almost no periods.
Which style should a beginner use? I keep breaking IF blocks.
Thread: COBOL
IF / ELSE / END-IF - do I need periods or not?
Started by Alex • user3 replies278 viewsLast activity 1 week ago
Post #2
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Marty
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Joined: Aug 12, 2024, 9:14 AM
Posted: Aug 4, 2026, 1:37 PM
Use explicit scope terminators: END-IF, END-READ, END-PERFORM. One period at the end of the paragraph is enough.
Periods inside IF logic are a classic way to accidentally end the IF early. That is why old code is scary.
Post #3
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Anita
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Joined: May 29, 2025, 12:45 PM
Posted: Aug 4, 2026, 6:37 PM
Shop standard here bans periods except end of paragraph / sentence where required. Reviews catch it.
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