Primitive data types are standard predefined types that you can use as the basis for variables, record fields, or your own DataItem parts. Though exact names may vary, many of these types (like INT) are common to most programming languages. COBOL and other procedural languages often refer to these types as "elementary items" because they are not based on any other type.
EGL includes a number of these primitive types (such as PACF) for compatibility with existing data or programs.
There are also special primitive types that you can use only for function parameters; see Loose types.
Additional details are available in the topics that cover assignments, logical expressions, function invocations, and the call statement.