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COBOL Tutorial

COBOL VALUE - Quick Reference

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Overview

VALUE is a COBOL clause used in the DATA DIVISION to assign initial values to data items. It allows you to initialize variables, constants, and data structures with default values at compile time, ensuring data items have predictable starting values.

Key Features

  • Data initialization - Assign initial values to data items
  • Compile-time assignment - Values are set when program is compiled
  • Multiple data types - Works with numeric, alphanumeric, and edited fields
  • Figurative constants - Supports COBOL figurative constants

Syntax and Usage

VALUE clause syntax and usage patterns for different data types and scenarios.

Basic VALUE Usage

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       IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
       PROGRAM-ID. VALUE-EXAMPLE.
       DATA DIVISION.
       WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
       01  CUSTOMER-DATA.
           05  CUSTOMER-ID     PIC 9(6) VALUE 123456.
           05  CUSTOMER-NAME   PIC X(30) VALUE "JOHN DOE".
           05  CUSTOMER-STATUS PIC X(1) VALUE "A".
           05  CUSTOMER-BALANCE PIC 9(8)V99 VALUE 1000.50.
       
       PROCEDURE DIVISION.
           DISPLAY "Customer ID: " CUSTOMER-ID
           DISPLAY "Customer Name: " CUSTOMER-NAME
           DISPLAY "Customer Status: " CUSTOMER-STATUS
           DISPLAY "Customer Balance: " CUSTOMER-BALANCE
           STOP RUN.

Basic usage of VALUE to initialize data items with default values.

VALUE with Figurative Constants

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       IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
       PROGRAM-ID. VALUE-FIGURATIVE.
       DATA DIVISION.
       WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
       01  INITIALIZATION-DATA.
           05  EMPTY-STRING    PIC X(10) VALUE SPACES.
           05  ZERO-NUMBER     PIC 9(5) VALUE ZEROS.
           05  HIGH-VALUE-FIELD PIC X(5) VALUE HIGH-VALUES.
           05  LOW-VALUE-FIELD  PIC X(5) VALUE LOW-VALUES.
           05  QUOTE-STRING    PIC X(10) VALUE QUOTES.
       
       PROCEDURE DIVISION.
           DISPLAY "Empty String: '" EMPTY-STRING "'"
           DISPLAY "Zero Number: " ZERO-NUMBER
           DISPLAY "High Value Field: " HIGH-VALUE-FIELD
           DISPLAY "Low Value Field: " LOW-VALUE-FIELD
           DISPLAY "Quote String: " QUOTE-STRING
           STOP RUN.

Using VALUE with COBOL figurative constants for common initialization patterns.

VALUE with Group Items

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       IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
       PROGRAM-ID. VALUE-GROUP.
       DATA DIVISION.
       WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
       01  TRANSACTION-RECORD.
           05  TRANSACTION-ID   PIC 9(8) VALUE 0.
           05  TRANSACTION-DATE PIC 9(8) VALUE 20240101.
           05  TRANSACTION-TYPE PIC X(2) VALUE "CR".
           05  TRANSACTION-AMOUNT PIC 9(8)V99 VALUE 0.00.
           05  TRANSACTION-STATUS PIC X(1) VALUE "P".
       
       PROCEDURE DIVISION.
           DISPLAY "Transaction Record:"
           DISPLAY "  ID: " TRANSACTION-ID
           DISPLAY "  Date: " TRANSACTION-DATE
           DISPLAY "  Type: " TRANSACTION-TYPE
           DISPLAY "  Amount: " TRANSACTION-AMOUNT
           DISPLAY "  Status: " TRANSACTION-STATUS
           STOP RUN.

Using VALUE to initialize individual fields within a group item structure.

Value Types

Numeric Values

Initialize numeric data items.

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01  NUMERIC-FIELD PIC 9(3) VALUE 123.
01  DECIMAL-FIELD PIC 9(5)V99 VALUE 123.45.

Alphanumeric Values

Initialize alphanumeric data items.

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01  TEXT-FIELD PIC X(20) VALUE "Hello World".
01  CHAR-FIELD PIC X(1) VALUE "A".

Figurative Constants

Use predefined COBOL constants.

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01  SPACE-FIELD PIC X(10) VALUE SPACES.
01  ZERO-FIELD PIC 9(5) VALUE ZEROS.
01  HIGH-FIELD PIC X(5) VALUE HIGH-VALUES.

Edited Values

Initialize edited numeric fields.

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01  DOLLAR-FIELD PIC $9(6).99 VALUE $1234.56.
01  COMMA-FIELD PIC 9(3),9(3) VALUE 123,456.

Best Practices

  • Use meaningful defaults - Choose initial values that make sense for the data
  • Be consistent - Use consistent initialization patterns throughout your program
  • Consider data types - Ensure values are compatible with PICTURE clauses
  • Document values - Document why specific initial values were chosen
  • Use figurative constants - Use SPACES, ZEROS, etc. for common initialization patterns

VALUE Quick Reference

Data TypeSyntaxExample
NumericPIC 9(n) VALUE numberPIC 9(3) VALUE 123
AlphanumericPIC X(n) VALUE "text"PIC X(10) VALUE "HELLO"
FigurativePIC X(n) VALUE SPACESPIC X(5) VALUE ZEROS
DecimalPIC 9(n)V99 VALUE numberPIC 9(5)V99 VALUE 123.45

Test Your Knowledge

1. What is the primary purpose of VALUE in COBOL?

  • To assign initial values to data items
  • To perform arithmetic calculations
  • To control program flow
  • To define file structures

2. Where is VALUE typically used in a COBOL program?

  • In the PROCEDURE DIVISION for calculations
  • In the DATA DIVISION for data initialization
  • In the ENVIRONMENT DIVISION for configuration
  • In the IDENTIFICATION DIVISION

3. What types of values can be assigned using VALUE?

  • Only numeric values
  • Only alphanumeric values
  • Numeric, alphanumeric, and figurative constants
  • Only figurative constants

4. How does VALUE differ from MOVE?

  • VALUE is used at compile time, MOVE at runtime
  • VALUE is used at runtime, MOVE at compile time
  • They are identical in function
  • VALUE only works with files, MOVE with memory

5. What is a figurative constant in COBOL?

  • A mathematical expression
  • A predefined value like SPACES, ZEROS, or HIGH-VALUES
  • A variable name
  • A file name

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Concepts

Data Types

Understanding COBOL data types.

Data Description

Data description entries and clauses.

PICTURE Clause

Define data format and structure.

Data Initialization

Data initialization techniques.

Figurative Constants

COBOL figurative constants.

VAL-UPDATEVARYING