HP 3000 Manuals HP 3000 Manuals
The Program Development Part This part of the COBOL Operating Guide covers the basic processes for creating runnable files from COBOL source code. The topics covered are explained in the following sections. COBOL System Interface Access to the major components of the Micro Focus COBOL compilation system - the compiler, the native code generator and the system linker - is via a single command: cob. Files specified to this command can be any mixture of COBOL source, intermediate code, native code, linkable object code, C source files or assembler source files. By default, the cob command converts the specified COBOL source files into intermediate code files which are suitable for animation; that is, files which can be executed under the control of Animator. However, depending on the option you specify to it, the cob command can output native code, intermediate code, dynamically linked or statically linked executable modules. Compiling The Micro Focus COBOL Compiler compiles COBOL source code into intermediate (.int) code. This intermediate code is a sequence of instructions to an abstract Micro Focus COBOL machine. Files for use by the Animator (.idy) are also created. The mechanism to invoke compilation is described, and all of the available options are explained. The methods for applying the options and setting your own defaults are covered, together with other aspects of compilation. Animating Animator is an interactive program debugging tool for use with Micro Focus COBOL programs. The Animator functions are explained, along with a description of how animation is invoked. Generating The Native Code Generator translates the intermediate (.int) code produced by the compiler into the native (.gnt) code for your processor. The mechanism to invoke generation is described, and all of the available options are explained. The methods for applying the options and setting your own defaults are covered, together with other aspects of generation. Linking The system linker provided with your UNIX system links the required run-time support libraries to your native code generated object files and creates one executable file. The different methods of linking are described, providing guidance on selecting the type appropriate for your requirements. Running The Run Time System (RTS) loads files of intermediate or native code. If both .int and .gnt code is available, then by default, the RTS passes native code to your processor for direct execution, although it can execute compiled intermediate code interpretively if you select this option. The RTS also acts as the interface between your Micro Focus COBOL program and such operating system functions as file and device handling and memory management. This chapter describes how to prepare and run a program on the Micro Focus COBOL system. It explains the use of switches in controlling the program's behavior at run time and how to specify parameters on the command line which your program can read. COBOL System Library Routines A library of routines is provided with this COBOL system to allow access to facilities beyond those supported by COBOL syntax. Those routines which are portable between UNIX and non-UNIX environments are describedin the chapters Library Routines (Call-by-Name) and Library Routines (Call-by-Number). Routines specific to UNIX environments are described in the appendix Advanced Programming Features. Writing Programs This chapter contains information to aid you in writing efficient programs. It also provides guidance on handling large programs and details on calling subprograms.