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COBOL Tutorial

COBOL SENTENCE Clause - Quick Reference

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Overview

The SENTENCE clause is a fundamental concept in COBOL that groups related statements together. A sentence consists of one or more statements followed by a period, creating a logical unit of execution in the program.

Purpose and Usage

  • Statement grouping - Group related statements together
  • Flow control - Control program execution flow
  • Logical organization - Organize program logic
  • Structure - Provide program structure
  • Readability - Improve program readability

Syntax

The SENTENCE clause is used in the PROCEDURE DIVISION to group statements.

Basic Syntax

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* Basic SENTENCE syntax
statement-1
statement-2
statement-3.
 
* Complete example
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
PROGRAM-ID. SENTENCE-EXAMPLE.
 
DATA DIVISION.
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
01  DATA-ITEM-1    PIC X(20).
01  DATA-ITEM-2    PIC 9(5).
 
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
MAIN-LOGIC.
    MOVE "Hello" TO DATA-ITEM-1
    MOVE 12345 TO DATA-ITEM-2
    DISPLAY DATA-ITEM-1
    DISPLAY DATA-ITEM-2.
 
PROCESSING-LOGIC.
    IF DATA-ITEM-2 > 1000
        DISPLAY "Large number"
        ADD 1 TO DATA-ITEM-2
        DISPLAY "Updated value: " DATA-ITEM-2.
 
    STOP RUN.

SENTENCE groups statements for logical execution.

Practical Examples

Examples of using the SENTENCE clause in different scenarios.

Simple Statement Grouping

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* Group related operations
MOVE "Processing started" TO MESSAGE-TEXT
DISPLAY MESSAGE-TEXT
PERFORM INITIALIZE-DATA
DISPLAY "Initialization complete".

SENTENCE groups initialization operations.

Conditional Statement Grouping

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* Group conditional operations
IF ACCOUNT-BALANCE < 0
    MOVE "Overdraft detected" TO ERROR-MESSAGE
    DISPLAY ERROR-MESSAGE
    PERFORM SEND-ALERT
    SET ACCOUNT-FLAG TO TRUE.

SENTENCE groups conditional operations.

File Processing Grouping

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* Group file processing operations
READ INPUT-FILE
    AT END
        MOVE "End of file reached" TO STATUS-MESSAGE
        DISPLAY STATUS-MESSAGE
        PERFORM CLOSE-FILES
        STOP RUN.
 
MOVE INPUT-RECORD TO PROCESSING-RECORD
PERFORM PROCESS-RECORD
WRITE OUTPUT-RECORD.

SENTENCE groups file processing operations.

Best Practices

Understanding best practices ensures effective use of the SENTENCE clause.

Best Practices

  • Group related statements - Keep related operations together
  • Use meaningful periods - End sentences at logical points
  • Maintain consistency - Use consistent sentence structure
  • Consider readability - Make sentences easy to understand
  • Document complex sentences - Add comments for complex groupings

Test Your Knowledge

1. What is the primary purpose of the SENTENCE clause in COBOL?

  • To define program sentences
  • To group statements and control program flow
  • To define data sentences
  • To create text output

2. In which COBOL division is the SENTENCE clause typically used?

  • IDENTIFICATION DIVISION
  • ENVIRONMENT DIVISION
  • DATA DIVISION
  • PROCEDURE DIVISION

3. What is a sentence in COBOL programming?

  • A single statement
  • A group of statements ending with a period
  • A paragraph name
  • A data definition

4. How does the SENTENCE clause affect program execution?

  • It has no effect
  • It groups statements for logical execution
  • It only affects compilation
  • It only affects debugging

5. What is the relationship between SENTENCE and NEXT SENTENCE?

  • They are the same thing
  • SENTENCE groups statements, NEXT SENTENCE skips to the next sentence
  • SENTENCE is for data, NEXT SENTENCE is for procedures
  • They cannot be used together

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Concepts

Procedure Division Structure

PROCEDURE DIVISION structure and organization.

Structured Programming

Structured programming concepts in COBOL.

Program Flow Control

Program flow control techniques.

SEND StatementSEPARATE Clause