cobol copybook = input format spec

a cobol-copybook is "a file describing an input data format".

"cobol copybook" is the standard term ("cobol-layout" is less common) for files like that mentioned in https://ssl.kundenserver.de/shop.softproject.de/downloads/CobolCopybookToolkitForJava.pdf

"copybook-datatypes"
"copybook-dataclauses"

-- based on http://edocs.bea.com/JAM/v51/program/egenapp.html
A COBOL CICS or IMS mainframe application typically uses a copybook source file to define its data layout. This file is specified in a COPY directive within the LINKAGE SECTION of the source program for a CICS application, or in the WORKING-STORAGE SECTION of an IMS program. If the CICS or IMS application does not use a copybook file, you will have to create one from the data definition contained in the program source.

A copybook is conceptually (not technically) part of a cobol program. Usually this copybook is a standalone file, included from its parent-program.

--
Posted By familyman to learning finance,c++,py... at 1/20/2008 08:53:00 PM