Re: System API QlnDumpCobol

["R. Bruce Hoffman, Jr." <rbruceh@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

-----Original Message-----
From: IDNONADA <idnonada@home.com>
To: COBOL400-L@midrange.com <COBOL400-L@midrange.com>
Date: Friday, July 20, 2001 5:19 PM
Subject: Re: System API QlnDumpCobol


>Bruce:
>I have a ton of Cobol and RPGII experience, but none in the AS400
>environment.  My experience has been  'Legacy', using IBM, NCR, TI, and
>Unisys(Burroughs).  Is Cobol that much different in the AS400 environment
>than it is elsewhere?  What resources are available to 'Educate' one for
>smooth transition into the AS400 environment.  I appreciate any response.
>Thanx.


Depends. If you use 85 COBOL extensively, then no, not really any
difference. The builds are different, but easy to learn. The copy statements
have a syntax that allows you to reference the file descriptions directly
from the files instead of regular "copy book" type stuff. I find that the
COBOL on the 400 functions closer to the standards than most other
compilers. I can remember one (now defunct) computer system... Prime... they
were on version 19.something and were expecting to have subscripted
conditions working in version 21 or 22. Like we had that kind of time!!
<vbg> I don't think they ever released a clean COBOL compiler... but that
was then.

The real difference would be in using externally described screens and
printer files.

If you used CICS, it's available on the 400, but I have not used it.

Resources? I don't know of any off hand for the COBOL programmer other than
the info center and the publications and the red books. MC might have some
books. But I generally stick to things like Garfunkles "85 Examples" book,
which sticks to the standard and meets a lot of my reference needs.

Maybe Howard knows of some?   ;-)

oh... yeah...This list.


===========================================================
R. Bruce Hoffman, Jr.
 -- IBM Certified Specialist - AS/400 Administrator
 -- IBM Certified Specialist - RPG IV Developer

"America is the land that fought for freedom and then
  began passing laws to get rid of it."

     - Alfred E. Neuman



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