Simplified Class Layout

We recommend that you use the simplified class layout when writing managed COBOL. In this layout, you put data and methods directly under the CLASS-ID header.

In this case, both method and data are instance by default. To define methods and data as static, you use the STATIC keyword. For example:

Class-id a.
01 str string.
01 static-str string static.
Method-id m1.
End method.
Method-id m2 static.
End method.
End class.

The previous layout is still supported for backward compatibility. Previously, you had to embed methods and data within the STATIC/END STATIC and OBJECT/END OBJECT markers.