Layout Definition Utility - Defining Group Items

Specification of a group item takes the same form as a description of a repeated item, without the specification of the number of repetitions.

The items subordinate to a group item are identified by nesting the subordinate class below the group item definition line.  A group item definition line must consist of only a class and an item name, and the following line must have a subordinate class.  The maximum nesting depth of subordinate classes is limited to seven (7).

In order to display a group item created from an existing COBOL property on a layout definition screen, the group item must be set up as a "COBOL library analysis option".  Regardless of the setup, editing the group item (adding, deleting, etc.) is possible in the layout definition.

Example:

Data Description in COBOL
01  ABC-REC.
  03  ITEM1   PIC X(10).
  03  GROUP1.
    05  ITEM2  PIC X(3).
    05  ITEM3  PIC X(1).
  03  GROUP2.
    05  ITEM4  PIC X(5).
    05  ITEM5  PIC X(5).
    05  GROUP2-1.
      07  ITEM6  PIC 9(2).
    05  ITEM7  PIC X(2).

Layout Definition
Level Occurs Item name
0   ITEM1
0   GROUP1
1   ITEM2
1   ITEM3
0   GROUP2
1   ITEM4
1   ITEM5
1   GROUP2-1
2   ITEM6
1   ITEM7