> why is a PDSE necessary is necessary for COBOL 5 programs

Fundamentally, it is because it is. Because IBM said so. More technically,
the new COBOL compiler outputs object code in a format such that the binder
must make it into a program object, not a load module, and program objects
must live in a PDSE, not a PDS. They have attributes that do not map to a
PDS directory, only to the control structures of a PDSE.

> I have not heard of this requirement with Assembler. What About PL/I and
C, are they required to have load modules stored in a PDSE ?

So far as I know, mostly negative all around, except C/C++ has an option
called XPLINK and it has the same story. Object code requires program object
requires PDSE.

> Is it the COBOL Compiler or the Binder/Linkage Editor that has the
requirement

A combination, as I wrote above.

> So why cant a application programmer continue to use a Complier prior to
COBOL 5 and link edit into the same PDS/E.

Absolutely s/he can. Load modules can live in a PDSE. Old object code can be
made into program objects. Pre-5 COBOL is compatible with V2R2. There are
benefits to the new COBOL, but it is by no means mandatory.

> I'm Not understanding what/why COBOL 5 needs a PDSE.

As I wrote above, because IBM said so.

I worked with a manager who when he got questions from his people like "why
does COBOL 5 require a PDSE?" would say let's split that question up into
two parts to make it more manageable. First, "why?" That's a question
philosophers have been debating for millennia. There is no answer. And
second, "does COBOL 5 require a PDSE?" and that's easy -- the answer is Yes.

Charles

-----Original Message-----
From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:[email protected]] On
Behalf Of [email protected]
Sent: Saturday, January 23, 2016 1:08 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: COBOL v5

We are planning to upgrade to z/OS V2.2 and with it COBOL v5 .
Im being told that programs compiled with COBOL 5 must have there load
modules reside in a PDSE. So we are undertaking a conversion from PDS to
PDSE so that a program compiled with COBOL 5 will link edit into a PDSE.
.
.
I have no objections to this, I just cant get a straight answer as to why is
a PDSE necessary is necessary for COBOL 5 programs.
.
I have not heard of this requirement with Assembler. What About PL/I and C,
are they required to have load modules stored in a PDSE ?
.
.
IBMLInk told me that the Format of a COBOL 5 program is different and as
such requires a PDSE. 
.
Is it the COBOL Compiler or the Binder/Linkage Editor that has the
requirement. As Far as I know existing programs compiled with pre COBOL 5
compilers can execute out of a PDSE.
.
.
So why cant a application programmer continue to use a Complier prior to
COBOL 5 and link edit into the same PDS/E.
.
.
Im Not understanding what/why COBOL 5 needs a PDSE.

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