Host variables are variables used in SQL commands in the
PROCEDURE DIVISION. They are used to pass the
following information
between an application program
and ALLBASE/SQL:
String truncation indicators.
Bulk processing rows to process.
Messages from the ALLBASE/SQL message catalog.
All host variables used in the PROCEDURE DIVISION of a COBOL program
or subprogram are declared in the DATA DIVISION.
The data description entries must contain data clauses that are
compatible with ALLBASE/SQL data
types. The data description entries
must also satisfy certain preprocessor criteria.
This chapter identifies where in the PROCEDURE
DIVISION you can use host variables and then
discusses how to write type descriptions that complement
the way host variables are used.
