Product Overview

The COBOL74 compiler includes all capabilities defined in the American National Standard Institute standard (COBOL ANSI-74) plus a number of unique extensions added to reduce programming time and cost.

General Features

Language Structure

The English-like structure of COBOL74 makes it an ideal language for business application programming. The COBOL language offers high-level constructs that minimize the overall programming effort. Application programs created by the COBOL74 compiler operate under control of the MCP and its environment. The support of application programs with system software results in rapid compilation, compact code structure, and efficient execution. The MCP automates many detailed operations related to input/output requests, error handling, file handling, and memory allocation resulting in greater programmer productivity.

Product Interfaces

Extensions exist that interface with other software facilities. Enterprise Database Server for ClearPath MCP COBOL verbs are incorporated to allow direct, efficient access and manipulation of information managed in the database. Tabular retrieval and single-statement updates are provided, as well as access through the more complex structured retrievals and multiple-statement updates demanded of traditional database applications. The Advanced Data Dictionary System (ADDS) enables COBOL74 programs to gain information descriptions from ADDS while optionally tracking those programs and data items compiled with the COBOL74 compiler.

Screen Design Facility Plus (SDF Plus) automates the coding of screen forms external to the application program. Extensions to the COBOL74 READ and WRITE statements provide a simple method for using these forms without the need to learn complex calling procedures. Standard READ and WRITE constructs are used to support a remote file interface for communication with a terminal network. SEND and RECEIVE constructs support a simplified interface to the Transaction Server. The COBOL74 compiler also supports the enterprise server library architecture that permits a program to call externally developed procedures, dynamically, at run time.

COBOL Migration Tool

The COBOL Migration Tool (CMT) is a utility that aids in the migration from COBOL74 to COBOL85. You can run COBOL68 or COBOL74 source files through the CMT to filter them to COBOL85. Both the CMT and its source files are provided free of charge on the release media to anyone who licenses the COBOL74 or COBOL85 compilers. You can update the CMT source files to handle the specifics of your migration, but you must first have licensed the COBOL85 compiler.

Ordering Information

Source code is available for this product. You can license it separately.

The COBOL Migration Tool (CMT) and its source files are bundled components of the COBOL74 and COBOL85 compilers.

Product Information

Refer to the following documents for more information: