COBOL ACCEPT and DISPLAY

Code Example

## COBOL ACCEPT and DISPLAY Statements

ACCEPT reads data from input sources (keyboard, system date/time). DISPLAY writes data to output (console, printer).

### ACCEPT Syntax

\`\`\`cobol
ACCEPT identifier [FROM mnemonic-name/DATE/DAY/TIME/...]
\`\`\`

### System Information

- **DATE**: YYMMDD (6 digits)
- **DATE YYYYMMDD**: YYYYMMDD (8 digits)
- **DAY**: YYDDD (5 digits, Julian)
- **DAY YYYYDDD**: YYYYDDD (7 digits)
- **TIME**: HHMMSSCC (8 digits)
- **DAY-OF-WEEK**: 1-7 (1=Monday)

### DISPLAY Syntax

\`\`\`cobol
DISPLAY identifier/literal [UPON mnemonic-name]
    [WITH NO ADVANCING]
\`\`\`

### Display Options

- **UPON CONSOLE**: Write to operator console
- **UPON SYSOUT**: Write to SYSOUT
- **WITH NO ADVANCING**: Stay on same line

### Best Practices

- Use ACCEPT DATE YYYYMMDD for Y2K compliance
- Display meaningful messages for debugging
- Use UPON for directing output appropriately