The "ENVIRONMENT DIVISION" in a COBOL program is a crucial section that describes the aspects of the program that depend on the computing environment in which the program will be executed. It provides essential information to the compiler and runtime system about the specific hardware, software, and file system configurations needed to run the COBOL program successfully.
The "ENVIRONMENT DIVISION" contains two primary sections:
CONFIGURATION SECTION: This section specifies the hardware and software environment requirements for the COBOL program. It includes details such as the character encoding scheme, word size, and other machine-specific attributes.
INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION: This section defines the files used by the program for input and output operations. It specifies the organization, access mode, and file attributes for each file, ensuring proper interaction with the external data sources.
The following are the importance in handling computing Environment Dependencies:
Portability: By defining the program's environment requirements in the "ENVIRONMENT DIVISION," developers can ensure that the COBOL program is portable across different computing platforms. It allows the program to adapt to the specific characteristics of the target environment, making it easier to run on various systems without modification.
Compatibility: The "ENVIRONMENT DIVISION" enables the COBOL program to interact seamlessly with the underlying operating system and file system. By providing the necessary details about file organization and access methods, the program can read and write data without compatibility issues.