Post #1
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Sam
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Joined: Jul 1, 2026, 2:30 PM
Posted: Jul 31, 2026, 11:17 AM
Mentor said never open a file without checking file status. I have seen PIC XX status fields in SELECT.
Is 00 the only good value? What about 97?
Thread: COBOL
What is FILE STATUS and why should I care?
Started by Sam • user3 replies235 viewsLast activity 2 weeks ago
Post #2
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Rick
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Joined: Jun 14, 2024, 9:41 AM
Posted: Jul 31, 2026, 1:17 PM
FILE STATUS is a two-byte code set after I/O. 00 = OK. 10 = end of file on READ. 23 = key not found. 35 = file not found. 97 sometimes OK on OPEN for VSAM depending on shop.
If you ignore it, the next WRITE/READ can S0C4 and you will not know why.
Post #3
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Marty
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Joined: Aug 12, 2024, 9:14 AM
Posted: Aug 1, 2026, 12:17 PM
Put the status check in a copybook paragraph and call it after every I/O. Saves repeating IF logic everywhere.
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