Sets the number from which the Compiler counts positions in the collating sequence when compiling the SYMBOLIC CHARACTERS clause.
>>-.---.--SYMBSTART--"integer"------------->< +-/-+
| integer | The number to be used. |
| Default: | SYMBSTART"1" |
| Phase: | Syntax check |
| $SET: | Initial |
With SYMBSTART"1", the COBOL statement:
symbolic characters bee is 67
declares a symbolic character bee representing "B" since, counting from 1, "B" is the 67th character in the ASCII collating sequence. With SYMBSTART"0", bee represents "C".
Comments:
For ANSI conformance use SYMBSTART"1"; for compatibility with previous products use SYMBSTART"0".