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COBOL Tutorial

COBOL RETURNING Phrase - Quick Reference

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Overview

The RETURNING phrase in COBOL is used in CALL and FUNCTION statements to specify the variable that will receive the value returned by a subprogram or intrinsic function. It is essential for modern modular and functional COBOL programming.

Purpose and Usage

  • Subprogram Calls - Receive a value from a called subprogram
  • Intrinsic Functions - Store the result of a function
  • Modular Programming - Enable reusable code with return values
  • Combined with USING - Pass arguments and receive a result

Syntax

cobol
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* CALL statement with RETURNING
CALL "SUBPROG" USING arg1 arg2 RETURNING result-var
 
* FUNCTION statement with RETURNING
COMPUTE result-var = FUNCTION MAX(a, b)
 
* Example subprogram header
PROCEDURE DIVISION USING arg1 arg2 RETURNING result-var
 
* Example with both USING and RETURNING
CALL "CALCULATE-TAX" USING income, rate RETURNING tax-amount

RETURNING is used to specify the receiving variable for a returned value from a subprogram or function.

Test Your Knowledge

1. What is the primary use of the RETURNING phrase in COBOL?

  • To return from a subprogram
  • To specify the receiving variable for a returned value
  • To end a program
  • To return a value from a function only

2. Which COBOL statement commonly uses the RETURNING phrase?

  • PERFORM
  • CALL
  • READ
  • WRITE

3. How is RETURNING used with intrinsic functions?

  • It is not used
  • It specifies the function to call
  • It specifies the variable to receive the function result
  • It ends the function call

4. Which of the following is a valid RETURNING usage?

  • CALL "SUBPROG" RETURNING result-var
  • COMPUTE x = FUNCTION MAX(a, b) RETURNING result-var
  • CALL "SUBPROG" USING arg1 RETURNING result-var
  • All of the above

5. Is RETURNING required in all CALL statements?

  • Yes
  • No
  • Only for intrinsic functions
  • Only for subprograms

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Concepts

CALL Statement

How to call subprograms in COBOL.

USING Phrase

How to pass arguments to subprograms.

Intrinsic Functions

Using built-in functions in COBOL.

Modular Programming

Writing modular COBOL code.

COMPUTE Statement

Performing calculations in COBOL.

RETURN and END-RETURNREVERSE