The FILE directive supplies a starting name from which the data dictionary file name is formed. This directive is required only when the file name in the COBOL code is nonspecific. For example, use this directive when the SELECT for the file has a variable ASSIGN name (ASSIGN TO variable_name). In this case, the interface cannot form a file name automatically, and you must provide a name. The starting name serves as the basis for the dictionary name.
Syntax
$XFD FILE=name
or
*(( XFD FILE=name ))
This directive must appear on the line immediately preceding the file's FD.
Example
Suppose your SELECT statement has a variable ASSIGN name such as the one shown here:
select my-file
assign to my-variable.
Then you would need to add the FILE directive as shown here:
select my-file
assign to my-variable.
.
.
.
$xfd file=payroll
fd my-file
Note that this directive must appear immediately before the file's FD.
See also