The REQUIRED clause specifies that the operator must not leave the screen
item empty.
General Format
Syntax Rules
The REQUIRED clause is allowed only with input and update fields and with
group items.
This clause can be specified on a group screen item, in which case it applies
to all suitable elementary items which are subordinate to that item.
REQUIRED and EMPTY-CHECK are equivalent.
General Rules
The REQUIRED clause takes effect during the execution of any ACCEPT statement
that causes the screen item to be accepted provided the cursor enters the
screen item at some time during the ACCEPT. Unless this clause is satisfied,
terminator keystrokes are rejected and the cursor is repositioned to the beginning
of the item.
To satisfy this clause, alphanumeric screen items must contain at least one
non-space, non-prompt character; numeric screen items must have a non-zero
value.
For update fields, the REQUIRED clause can be satisfied by initial data as
well as by operator-keyed data.
The REQUIRED clause cannot be effective if a function key is used to terminate
an ACCEPT operation. (See your COBOL system documentation about user interfaces
for details on configuration options.)
An error message can be configured for display on the screen if the REQUIRED
clause is not satisfied. (See your COBOL system documentation about user interfaces
for details on configuration options.)