RosettaCodeData/Task/Variables/COBOL/variables-5.cobol

DATA DIVISION.
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
01  initialized-data      PIC X(15) VALUE "Hello, World!".
01  other-data            PIC X(15).
...
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
    DISPLAY initialized-data *> Shows 'Hello, World!'
    DISPLAY other-data       *> Will probably show 15 spaces.