Automatic detection of a COBOL dialect ?

From: diesmo (partoche_at_caramail.com)
Date: 09/08/04 

Date: 8 Sep 2004 08:37:32 -0700

Hello!

I am trying to enhance a javaCC parser for COBOL, which only accept
free format with "*>" comments.

I must say i have little knowledge about COBOL.
For now, I automatically detect fixed or free format, like this :
   - if the first line (without spaces) starts with a number, then it
is fixed,
   - else it is free format.

This seems to work (if the cols 1-6 in fixed format, when trimed,
always contains a number :) ).

For "variable" format, it is more tricky... Cols 1-6 may contain
anything, it seems.

Does anyone know a trick to distinguish a fixed format cobol program
from a variable format one ?
For example, if the column 1-6 only contains spaces, then it is
variable format ?
Or a way to determin the dialect (assuming each dialect uses only one
format)?
Or is it impossible, and the user must specify the format manually ?

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
diesmo.

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