Giridhar queried...

> Is there any significance to "$" in 7th column in HP-COBOL? Specific
> information regarding $IF and  $SET  is requested...

You can actually see for yourself at...

   http://halley.grc.hp.com:3000/cgi-bin/LDIBook/B3150090013.11820/200

But, let me summarize.  The "$SET" command allows you to set up to ten
compile time switches ("X0" thru "X9") to be used for conditional
compilation.  The "$IF" command then allows you to interrogate those
switches.

Let me give you an example.  Suppose that you have two versions of a
database and you want to preserve the old code while using the same code
to test the new.  You could do this a myriad of different ways, most of
which are better than the following example.   However, you can also do
it with the "$SET" / "$IF" combination.

Early on in the source (I usually do it right after the $CONTROL line),
you need to set your switch...

        $CONTROL ...
        *   If X1 is on, use the new COPYLIB members...
        $SET X1=ON

Later on in WORKING-STORAGE, you might do the following...

        $IF X1 = ON
         01  PART-MASTER-BUFF        COPY PARTBUFN.
        $IF X1 = OFF
         01  PART-MASTER-BUFF        COPY PARTBUFF.
        $IF

The biggest caution that I can offer is that you need to remember to
specify the terminating "$IF"!  An "$IF" command stays in effect until
cancelled by another $IF.  Failure to include a terminating "$IF"
statement could cause some unusual compiles for those times when the
switches are not set...

BTW:  There are also other uses for the "$" in column 7.  Descriptions
may be found at the same web-site (see above).  In general they are...

        $DEFINE                 $COPYRIGHT
        $INCLUDE                $PAGE
        $EDIT                   $TITLE
        $VERSION                $CONTROL

All of these have some very worthwhile benefits and are definitely worth
understanding if you plan to do any major (or long-term) COBOL
development on the HP 3000 platform.

Glenn
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