As COBOL has grown and evolved, many new features have been added to the base language. Quite often, these are features that are in the draft version of the next COBOL standard. Other times, the features were added in response to user requests.
Often, features that have been part of the COBOL language are unused because they are not properly understood. Examples of actual COBOL statement usage are invaluable in helping the programmer figure out how to use a particular COBOL feature.
This manual, used in conjunction with the Language Reference Manual, provides syntax samples for several clauses and statements in order to clarify their usage. The syntax samples will be comparatively easy to understand because each sample has been kept to around 50 lines. This manual also introduces some coding techniques for more effective use. When introduced, these techniques are noted by text such as "This example shows an effective way of using this function".
Audience
Prior to using NetCOBOL it is assumed that you have the following knowledge:
You have some basic understanding as to how to navigate through and use the Microsoft Windows, Solaris or Linux operating system.
You have a basic understanding of the COBOL language.
How This Manual is Organized
This manual contains the following information.
Various sample programs illustrating the use of a variety of COBOL statements. Many of these are standard COBOL, and others are extensions offered by NetCOBOL.
Conventions Used in This Manual
Some parts of the COBOL common syntax described in this manual depend on system functions, and differ among systems.
Such parts are indicated by the following system names:
Indication | Corresponding system | Corresponding product |
|---|---|---|
HP | HP-UX | COBOL85 V20L11 |
Solaris | Oracle Solaris | NetCOBOL V10 |
Linux | Red Hat(R) Enterprise Linux(R) 5(for x86) Red Hat(R) Enterprise Linux(R) 5(for Intel64) 32bit | NetCOBOL (32bit) V7.3 |
LinuxIPF | Red Hat(R) Enterprise Linux(R) 5(for Intel Itanium) | NetCOBOL V9.0 |
Linux64 | Red Hat(R) Enterprise Linux(R) 6(for Intel64) 64bit Red Hat(R) Enterprise Linux(R) 7(for Intel64) 64bit | NetCOBOL V11 |
Win32 | Windows Server 2012 R2 Windows Server 2012 Windows Server 2008 R2 Windows 8.1 Windows 8 Windows 7 | NetCOBOL V11 |
Winx64 | Windows Server 2012 R2 Windows Server 2012 Windows Server 2008 R2 Windows 8.1 (x64) Windows 8 (x64) Windows 7 (x64) | NetCOBOL V11 |
.NET | Windows Server 2012 R2 Windows Server 2012 Windows Server 2008 R2 Windows 8.1 Windows 8 Windows 7 | NetCOBOL for .NET V6 |
Product Names
Product Name | Abbreviation |
|---|---|
Red Hat(R) Enterprise Linux(R) 6 (for Intel64) Red Hat(R) Enterprise Linux(R) 7 (for Intel64) | Linux(x64) |
Microsoft® Windows Server® 2012 R2 Datacenter Microsoft® Windows Server® 2012 R2 Standard Microsoft® Windows Server® 2012 R2 Essentials Microsoft® Windows Server® 2012 R2 Foundation | Windows Server 2012 R2 |
Microsoft® Windows Server® 2012 Datacenter Microsoft® Windows Server® 2012 Standard Microsoft® Windows Server® 2012 Essentials Microsoft® Windows Server® 2012 Foundation | Windows Server 2012 |
Microsoft® Windows Server® 2008 R2 Foundation Microsoft® Windows Server® 2008 R2 Standard Microsoft® Windows Server® 2008 R2 Enterprise Microsoft® Windows Server® 2008 R2 Datacenter | Windows Server 2008 R2 |
Windows® 8.1 Windows® 8.1 Pro Windows® 8.1 Enterprise | Windows 8.1 or Windows 8.1 (x64) |
Windows® 8 Windows® 8 Pro Windows® 8 Enterprise | Windows 8 or Windows 8 (x64) |
Windows® 7 Home Premium Windows® 7 Professional Windows® 7 Enterprise Windows® 7 Ultimate | Windows 7 or Windows 7 (x64) |
Oracle Solaris | Solaris |
Trademarks
NetCOBOL is a trademark or registered trademark of Fujitsu Limited or its subsidiaries in the United States or other countries or in both.
Windows, Windows Server, MSDN, and Visual Studio are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S.A. and/or other countries.
Oracle and Java are registered trademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners. Oracle Solaris might be described as Solaris, Solaris Operating System, or Solaris OS.
HP and HP-UX are the trademarks of Hewlett-Packard Inc. in the U.S.A.
Linux is a registered trademark of Mr. Linus Torvalds in the United States and other countries.
Other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Export Regulation
Exportation/release of this document may require necessary procedures in accordance with the regulations of your resident country and/or US export control laws.
The contents of this manual may be revised without prior notice. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of Fujitsu Limited.
August 2015
Copyright 1996-2015 FUJITSU LIMITED
