You will find that most (all?) Unix and Linux COBOL compilers *do* include a file system (not built-into the operating system) which DOES allow them to check maximum (and possibly minimum) sizes for Variable length records/files.
As noted, a FS=39 is a REQUIREMENT of the '85 Standard. Although the Standard *does* allow for implementors to select which attributes to check, I don't (personally) know of any that do not check AT LEAST the maximum record size (e.g. equivalent of LRECL). <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>... > In a recent note, Clark Morris said: > > > Date: Tue, 7 Jun 2005 09:35:44 -0300 > > > > The problem has nothing to do with z/OS vs. Unix. It is a simple > > IDIOTIC check that can't be disabled. It may make sense for fixed > > > The thrust of my remark was that since UNIX maintains no metadata > similar to LRECL, no such check is possible, and no such delusional > error can be IDIOTICally reported. I suppose I can be accused of > some inconsistency since I lately hailed UNIX for dutifully maintaining > other metadata (file timestamps). But UNIX programs don't often fail > because the system insists on validating a timestamp. > > > block. The whole issue should be revisited by the COBOL compiler > > group. The 2002 COBOL standard might allow a graceful way for the > > compiler group to make the appropriate changes. In one sense the > > SHARE requirement might be to honor the Language Futures Task Force > > report. This would also have some other interesting advantages such > > as allowing COBOL programs to read or write either ESDS or QSAM files > > without program modification. > > > Doesn't the standard support portability of COBOL programs to platforms > that don't maintain LRECL as metadata? If so, the standard can't > require validation of LRECL, since that isn't guaranteed to be > available. It should be permissible simply to perform no such check. > > -- gil ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
