Ibm Cobol Manual
Ron just have recognized that EQUALS is not usable with -std=ibm-strict. The reason for this is that the strict dialect only uses the configured IBM word list - which was extracted from IBMs language reference.
I've rechecked and all versions I have access to simply don't list EQUALS (but they list others, for example QUOTE+QUOTES). ... and: the IBM programmer's guide (again all versions I have checked) do have examples that use EQUALS.
Ibm Cobol Reference Manual
This page contains ibm manuals, mainframe manuals, DB2 Manuals, COBOL manuals, CICS manuals, JCL manuals. Can find links to mainframegurukul tutorials. International Technical Support Organization VSAM Demystified March 2013 SG24-6105-02. IBM Red books. About IBM Redbooks IBM International Technical Support Organization IBM Redbooks publications are developed and published by the IBM International Technical Support Organization (ITSO). The ITSO develops and delivers skills, technical know-how, and materials to IBM technical professionals, Business Partners, clients, and the marketplace in general.
Interestingly EQUALS is an often available alias to EQUAL - but it is not part of COBOL85-COBOL202x.
Cobol Language Reference Manual
... so - is EQUALS supported and missing in the language reference or is it wrong-spelled in the programmer's guide? In both cases it would be an old documentation error in one or the other document.
Ibm Cobol Manual Pdf
Do you know of other 'missing' reserved words for IBM?