Capstone: fixed-width file processor

The goal

Build a batch program that reads a fixed-width employee file, computes the total and average salary per department, and writes a summary report with a heading, detail lines, and a grand total.

Design

Two files: an input FD with one 01 record, and an output report file. Working storage holds the running totals, the current department for control breaks, and the line counter. A level 88 marks end of file:

01 WS-EOF PIC X VALUE "N". 88 WS-END-OF-FILE VALUE "Y". 01 WS-TOTAL PIC 9(9)V99 VALUE 0.

Build steps

OPEN both files, then PERFORM UNTIL WS-END-OF-FILE: READ with AT END, add the salary to the department and grand totals, and detect a department change to print a control line. After the loop, WRITE the grand-total line and CLOSE both files. Test with a five-row fixture and a one-row file so the first-record and last-record paths both run. Compile, run, and diff the report against the expected output.

Next: Performance: tuning COBOL

Article author: Arthur Isaev