Can anyone recommand a PC cobol software

[goxela]

I bought the book "Cobol for dummies", but it doesn't teach the dos command to compile a file.

Can the professionals here kindly please recommand me a PC cobol software and teach me the command lines to compile, assign data files, link them and run my program?

Thank you very much!

 

[ceh4702]

What do you want to do with the COBOL?

a. Batch programs.

b. Interacive programs.

c. Internet programs.

Also do you want to have Database Access or Object Oriented programming. If you do not like my post feel free to point out your opinion or my errors.

 

[goxela]

Thanks for your attention.

I was a Cobol programming working on NEC mini platform several years back. I am still able to write programme to create indexed files for data input and processing.

My present company needs me to develop a annual leave system. I know I can use Cobol to create an employees master file, leaves taken transaction files...

My problem now is using what compiler, I don't know much about PC, what's more after an object file has been created, how do I link them and assign file to my physical C drive.

I would appreciate if you can tell me or recommand me any Cobol book which tells what to do at the dos prompt.

Thank you!

 

[Crox]

Hi,

do you have a COBOL compiler for your platform?

If so, you will have a possibility to compile.

Sometimes you have several possibilities like and a interactive workbench and a commandline option.

Many compilers have both. A book is most of the time a little bit general so it doesn't tell you everyting.

If your settings are allright and you have something like CA-REALIA or MicroFocus, you can compile with the command:

COBOL <sourcename>;

After that you need to link with

LINK <modulename>;

but....

linking can be much more complex. A workbench takes al those problems out of your hands.

Regards,

Crox

 

[Thane]

Seems a bit self serving... but...

get my book - Sams Teach Yourself COBOL in 24 Hours. It comes with a full functioning compiler and is written in a tutorial style so you can follow the steps to enter your source, compile, and run your programs.

 

[goxela]

Thanks Crox, I search for CA-REALIA, but am I wrong to see the price is like US$3000 plus? May I know if there is any PC compiler not so expensive?

Thanks Thane too, I've ordered your book.

 

[Crox]

Hi,

there are also some free to download compilers. Not state-of-the-art.

In the Linux environment they are developing a COBOL compiler.

Fujitsu has some try-out releases.

COBOL650 is an old one that is for free and should be downloadable somewhere.

I don't know the current price of CA-REALIA. In the past, you could get the batch compiler for about 600 US$ without support. At that time the normal contract was about 5 years and an anual fee for something linke 600 US$ a year.

Micro Focus also has some offers and Fujitsu also...

A free/low-priced compiler you can find with some books like COBOL for dummies, Cobol from micro to mainframe from Prentice Hall (some release had the CA-REALIA classroom COBOL compiler, an other had Fujitsu).

Regards,

Crox

 

[saginaw]

The following is a rather lengthy URL put it should get you to the Micro Focus University Edition for non-students. It includes an ANSI85 COBOL Compiler. It's current list price is $149.00 ... I believe this is a subset of their higher-priced full featured Net Express...

http://shop.merant.com/shop/product.asp?dept_id=41&pf_id=ACNETEXPRESSWBOOKNON&pdept_id=3

The URL contains MERANT but the Micro Focus web site is evolving since their separation from MERANT... Saginaw
helpdesk@simotime.com

http://www.simotime.com