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COBOL - Conditional Expression


A conditional expression causes the object program to select alternative paths of control, depending on the truth value of a test. Conditional expressions are specified in IF, EVALUATE, PERFORM, and SEARCH statements.

A conditional expression can be specified in either simple conditions or complex conditions. Both simple and complex conditions can be enclosed within any number of paired parentheses; the parentheses do not change whether the condition is simple or complex.

Simple Conditions

There are five simple conditions:
  1. If condition

  2. Class condition

  3. Condition-name condition

  4. Relation condition

  5. Sign condition

  6. Switch-status condition

A simple condition has a truth value of either true or false.


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