General Description

The Environment Division specifies a standard method of expressing those aspects of a data processing problem that are dependent upon the physical characteristics of a specific computer. This division allows specification of the configuration of the compiling computer and the object computer. In addition, information relative to input-output control, special hardware characteristics and control techniques may be given.

ANS85 The Environment Division is optional in a COBOL source element.

General Format

    ENVIRONMENT DIVISION. [configuration-section][input-output-section]

Syntax Rules

  1. MF If the program includes an Environment Division, the Environment Division header is optional only if it is the first division in the program.