isCOBOL Evolve : Language Reference : Identification Division : METHOD-ID Paragraph : Method-Signature
Method-Signature
Method parameters and return can be specified directly in the METHOD-ID paragraph.
The list of parameters must be enclosed between parenthesis and the return must be specified using the RETURNING clause. This is the syntax prototype:
(identifier-1 as type, identifier-2 as type, ..., identifier-n as type) RETURNING result
Syntax Rules
1. identifier-1, identifier-2, identifier-n and result are User-defined word.
2. type can be:
• any Java primitive type to be specified between quotes,
• any Java classe to be specified between quotes or through a logical name mapped in the REPOSITORY paragraph,
• an elementary typedef.
Example:
Define a method that receives three alphanumeric parameters and returns a number using typedefs:
       ...
       data division.
       working-storage section.
       77 pics9   is typedef pic s9(9).
       77 xanylen is typedef pic x any length.
             
       procedure division.
       
       identification division.
       method-id. met1 as "met1" (p1 as xanylen,  
                                  p2 as xanylen, 
                                  p3 as xanylen)
                        returning rc as pics9.
       procedure division.
       main.
           display "Received:".
           display p1.
           display p2.
           display p3.
           display "Returning 1".
           move 1 to rc.
       end method.