SKIP Statement

SKIP1, SKIP2, or SKIP3 statements specify the number of blank lines that should replace the SKIP statements while listing the COBOL source code. These statements are compiler-directive statements and do not affect the compilation and execution of the program.

These statements can be written in either Area-A or Area-B. These statements can code only one statement per line.

Syntax -

 SKIP1[.]
 SKIP2[.]
 SKIP3[.]

Parameters -

• SKIP1 - Inserts a single blank line in the source listing.
• SKIP2 - Inserts two blank lines in the source listing.
• SKIP3 - Inserts three blank lines in the source listing.

Examples -

Scenario1 - Coding SKIP1 statement in COBOL program.

Code -

----+----1----+----2----+----3----+----4----+----5----
       01 EMP-REC.
          COPY EMPREC.
		  SKIP1.
		  
	   01 WS-VAR.
	      05 WS-INPUT1        PIC X(10).

Explaining Example -

• The SKIP1 statement won't display in the program listing.
• The SKIP1 inserts one blank line before WS-VAR declaration line in the program listing.

Scenario2 - Coding SKIP2 and SKIP3 statements in COBOL program.

Code -

----+----1----+----2----+----3----+----4----+----5----+
       01 EMP-INPUT-REC.
          COPY EMPREC REPLACING 
		           "==:EMP:==" BY  "==EMP-INPUT==".
          SKIP2.		  
		  
       01 EMP-OUTPUT-REC.
          COPY EMPREC REPLACING 
		          "==:EMP:==" BY  "==EMP-OUTPUT==". 
		  SKIP3.
		  
	   01 WS-VAR.
	      05 WS-INPUT1        PIC X(10).

Explaining Example -

• The SKIP2 and SKIP3 statements won't display in the program listing.
• The SKIP2 inserts two blank lines before EMP-OUTPUT-REC declaration line.
• SKIP3 inserts three blank lines before WS-VAR declaration.