On 14 Sep 2009 07:38:40 -0700, in bit.listserv.ibm-main you wrote: >Thompson, Steve wrote: >> -----Original Message----- >> From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:ibm-m...@bama.ua.edu] On >> Behalf Of Andreas F. Geissbuehler >> Sent: Saturday, September 12, 2009 9:52 AM >> To: IBM-MAIN@bama.ua.edu >> Subject: Re: [turnkey-mvs] turnkey mvs and cobol/jcl environment >> >> <SNIP> >> I second Jo on this and URGE YOU to continue with herc >> and MVS 3.8j, even Assembler 370, but forget COBOL. >> >> You need to master current, modern COBOL which you can >> accomplish short-term by visiting Prof. Don Higgin's website >> at www.z390.org. Don's Java-based zASM and zCOBOL at >> www.zcobol.org are modern, state-of-the-art implementation >> which I recomend you should evaluate and consider to use, >> instead of, in addition to and/or in combination with TK3. >> >> <SNIP> >> >> Assuming he is running a M/S product, he can probably get one of the >> COBOL books with a COBOL CD in it. Fujitsu's COBOL runs nicely on NT, >> and W2K (with a few tweeks). I haven't tried it under XP. >> >> The use of the FCOBOL under MVS3.8 or the equivalent under DOS (R34?), >> will teach COBOL basics. >> >> The PC based compilers will take that source (at least the Fujitsu one >> will) and produce working code under Winders. >> >> So the question is, where did OS/2 and a M/F compatible COBOL go? Why do >> people use Realia (do they still exist?) to do COBOL development on a PC >> and then upload the source to a M/F? [Same for the Fujitsu system.] >> >> It is because of IBM Marketing's view of the world. >> >> Regards, >> Steve Thompson > >Marketing, probably. The current COBOL developers have been >pushing the edge of modernity constantly. Now,
So explain why in 2009 Enterprise COBOL STILL can not recognize binary character, IEEE binary floating point and decimal floating point (the latter pushed by Mike Cowlishaw of REXX fame) despite SHARE requirements and despite C/C++ being able to do so. We have LE to encourage inter-language communication yet COBOL doesn't recognize some basic data types despite them finally making it into the standard in 2002 (except for decimal floating point which is being discussed). Then there is the mind numbing idea that COBOL will ignore IEEE binary floating point and define the 2002 standard floating point types as decimal floating point. The whole situation arouses the vitriolic instincts and inclinations toward bitter sarcasm in me. If I weren't semi-retired (collecting pensions but willing to take contracts), I might pursue this more actively. Oh yes, I understand there are OO classes in CICS that C/C++ can use but I doubt they are available to COBOL. Talk about lack of strategy. Clark Morris ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
