Rocket® ACUCOBOL®

Let’s address  the AI-lephant in the roomHi everyone, Welcome to our monthly Rocket ACUCOBOL newsletter. This edition tackles the biggest question of the month (or maybe even the year): How is GenAI changing ACUCOBOL modernization?Code Translations vs. Modernization:What’s the difference This week, COBOL made headlines again as the debate around AI‑generated COBOL resurfaced. The market reaction and the conversations online point to one thing: change is no longer coming. It’s here.Though after more than 5,000 successful COBOL and ACUCOBOL modernization projects across all the industries, we’ve learned one lesson that matters now more than ever:Code translation is not the same as software modernization. And confusing the two can put enterprises at real risk. Code Translation Is Useful. But Language Isn’t the ProblemMany AI companies promise rapid “COBOL modernization,” but what they’re really talking about is syntax translation. And while COBOL is a straightforward language (ask any COB

We would like to open a PDF file in the program and extract an attachment (in this case, an XML file) from this PDF file.Is there a way to do this?

Currently our ACUCOBOL (compiler v.10.3.1) print modules use WIN$PRINT to create PDF files using locally installed PDFCreator (on the user’s Windows machine) and -P SPOOLER.  We are looking for an alternate solution which will enable us to use a PDF printer installed on the Linux server instead.  All the options we’ve explored so far, incl. cupspdf; C$PDF and -P PDF involve extensive code changes or loss of predefined formatting.  Is there a solution available which will allow us to do the conversion with minimal code impact?

I am attempting to pass binary data from AcuCOBOL to a .NET method using a COMSAFEARRAY.  For example, the buffer parameter in the below .NET method:public int addRow(byte[] buffer);I am receiving a COM error when I call this method passing the COMSAFEARRAY.   If I use other data types like “string”, I do not have the error. Does anyone have any suggestions of how to pass data from acuCOBOL as a .NET byte array?

I got a new Windows 11 workstation, and moved my AcuCobol software over and reinstalled it.   It’s been running fine for the past 3 weeks.  But now when I try to compile with ccbl32.exe, I get an error:“D:\Program Files (x86)\Micro Focus\extend 10.4.1\AcuGT\bin\zlib.dll is not designed to run on Windows ….”With the help of Windows COPilot, I tried all sorts of test and security changes, but it still does not work.  Apparently  zlib.dll is on the list of DLLs with known vulnerabilities.Is there updated 10.4.1 that have been properly signed, or do I have to go to Extend 10.5 ? 

Recently went to Window 11 64-bit system on a new computer.I have a program that writes and read Outlook emails, which began giving me errors.I used to executed "C:\Program Files (x86)\Micro Focus\extend 10.4.1\AcuGT\bin\wrun32.exe” which was the 32-bit version.   So i switched to  "C:\Program Files\Micro Focus\extend 10.4.1\AcuGT\bin\wrun32.exe” and the problem went away.   YAAAA.So my software uses the old MSCAL.OCX Calendar control.  Well it turns out it’s a 32-bit program, and WILL NOT EXECUTE using the 64-Bit version.    Anyway interesting to note the both in "C:\Program Files\Micro Focus\...” and C:\Program Files (x86)\Micro Focus\….” the runtimes are named WRUN32.    Shouldn’t the one of them be named WRUN64  ?Any thoughts ?? 

Can anyone assist me with an example of how to populate Excel from an Acucobol program?------------------------------Peter ClaytonDeveloperCobsolv CcMidrand ZA------------------------------

Good morning, are there any manuals for Acucobol in Italian? Or is there an Italian company I can ask for documentation from?

Hi everyone, Last year we released one of the biggest updates for Rocket ACUCOBOL extend 11 -- Visual Studio Code extension. Your response has been outstanding, and we’re excited by the enthusiasm and valuable feedback we’re receiving from you. A big thank you to everyone who is using the extension.Link to the extension: Rocket ACUCOBOL-GT - Visual Studio MarketplaceWe’re committed to continuously improving the extension to make your ACUCOBOL development experience even better. Last week, we rolled out version 1.3.0, which includes: EnhancementsWorking Storage Editor - "Find in Objects" - Display and allow navigation to variable usages following search, delete or rename Environment Variables - Editing support Screen Designer - Collapse/Expand right pane Online Documentation - TutorialsBug FixesACUW-2905 - Working Storage - table refresh after each update ACUW-2909 - Right Pane - cell settings warning non-specific ACUW-2927 - Support opening several screens in parallel ACUW-3001 - Compi

Hi everyone, The idea that COBOL is "stuck in the past" is one of tech's most persistent myths - and one of its biggest disconnects, given how much COBOL is still actively being developed. Even those once familiar with the language can struggle to see how it fits into a modern tech stack in the age of AI. Perhaps you're one of them? There's more than a grain of truth, of course - many COBOL systems do carry the weight of their history. Real-world COBOL often contains layers from different eras, as you'd expect from software that's delivered value for decades. But to examine a few lines of code written from 1980s or earlier and conclude COBOL has no place in modern IT is like dismissing smartphones because you once used a brick-sized mobile phone in the '80s. Don't let your memory of COBOL - as it once was and when you once wrote it - cloud your judgment of what it's capable of today. And perhaps most regrettably, don't let that lead you to trade it for something that's little more tha

If so, is there an option to open a copybook? I can not find this essential functionality….

Welcome to Rocket® ACUCOBOL® Fuel, your monthly source for all things COBOL. In this issue, you’ll learn about the main ACUCOBOL release of 2025 and the first challenge of modernization.  Release of the year: Rocket ACUCOBOL extend 11As 2025 comes to a close, we’re proud to look back on one of our biggest milestones: the launch of Rocket® ACUCOBOL extend 11, the most significant update in seven years.Thanks to our incredible beta testers and this community, we delivered a thoroughly tested and refined release that empowers you to modernize mission-critical ACUCOBOL applications, enhance user interfaces, and unlock new business value faster than ever.This update brings major improvements across Rocket® AcuToWeb™, Rocket® AcuSQL™, Rocket® Acu4GL®, and Rocket® AcuXDBC™, giving you more flexibility and power to meet today’s business demands.Highlights of Rocket ACUCOBOL extend 11:Visual Studio Code Extension Developers can now work with ACUCOBOL in one of the most popular development tools

Does anyone know if there is documentation on the “*** System error value = # *** errors? I see them pop up in my logs from time to time, but I’m not able to find what they mean in the AcuCOBOL documentation. I’m using 10.5.1 on RHEL if that matters.Thanks for your help!

We love that you can use OCCURS in the screen section and we use it quite frequently.Now - for the first time - we need a radio-button that gets its options from a table and we don’t know how to get the value.This is what we would like to use:78 T01-MAX VALUE 10.78 T01-GROUP VALUE 03.01 T01-RESULT PIC 9(02).01 T01-TABLE. 02 T01-RECORD OCCURS T01-MAX INDEXED BY T01. 03 T01-VI PIC 9(01). 03 T01-ID PIC 9(05). 03 T01-TITLE PIC X(40). 03 T01-VALUE PIC 9(02).01 SCRPP10-BILD. 02 LABEL LINE 10 VISIBLE 0. 02 OCCURS T01-MAX. 03 RADIO-BUTTON LINE + 1 COL 50 VISIBLE T01-VI ID T01-ID TITLE T01-TITLE GROUP T01-GROUP GROUP-VALUE

Hi everyone,A few weeks ago, Scot Nielsen, Vice President of Product Management, sat down with Channel Insider to discuss COBOL modernization, a topic that continues to shape enterprise technology strategies.The conversation explored some of the most pressing challenges organizations face when not modernizing COBOL systems, including:Preserving decades of proven business logic without disrupting operations   Making COBOL development attractive and streamlined for both seasoned engineers and new talent   Ensuring robust security for COBOL applications at the core of business, especially when integrated with numerous third-party services“We want to find ways to always help the organization leverage those [proven COBOL applications] rather than having to do something more profoundly risky like a rewrite. From a high-level perspective, it’s about leveraging what works — what you know works as an organization — rather than ripping it out and starting again.”Scot NielsenIf you hear question

¡Reserva la fecha! Nos complace invitarte a nuestro próximo seminario web sobre la nueva versión de Rocket® ACUCOBOL extend® 11.13 de noviembre16:00 Spain / 12:00 Buenos AiresRegistrate ahoraAcompáñanos para conocer en profundidad las últimas novedades de extend 11 y disfrutar de demostraciones de sus nuevas funcionalidades.Durante el webinar aprenderás:Desarrolla más rápido con Visual Studio Code Permite a tus equipos desarrollar aplicaciones ACUCOBOL con una de las herramientas de desarrollo más populares y utilizadas del mundo.   Simplifica el despliegue en la nube con Rocket® AcuToWeb®   Despliega fácilmente tus aplicaciones ACUCOBOL en cualquier entorno que tu empresa necesite, incluidas las arquitecturas multinube.   Interfaces de usuario mejoradas con nuevas funciones gráficas   Crea interfaces más ricas y adaptables gracias a las numerosas funciones gráficas incorporadas en Rocket® ACUCOBOL-GT®.     Compatibilidad ampliada con nuevas plataformas Descubre la lista completa de pl

Hi everyone, This year we released one of the biggest updates for Rocket ACUCOBOL extend 11 -- Visual Studio Code support. The response has been incredible, and we’re thrilled by the enthusiasm and feedback from the community. Huge thanks to everyone who’s adopted the extension and shared their thoughts. Link to the extension: Rocket ACUCOBOL-GT - Visual Studio MarketplaceWe’re committed to continuously improving the extension to make your ACUCOBOL development experience even better. Last week, we rolled out version 1.2.0, which includes: Enhancements Load COPY_PATH Environment Variable directory settings  Working Storage Editor enhancements  Highlight selected items in the project and file tree views Bug Fixes ACUW-2893 - Working Storage - Occurs and More dialogs have no indication of the target entry  ACUW-2923 - Screen Designer: Combobox Control - frame exceeding container interferes with drawing other controls  ACUW-2924 - Working Storage - moving records can add 78 into a read-onl

Welcome to Rocket® ACUCOBOL® Fuel, your monthly source for all things ACUCOBOL. In this issue, you’ll discover how Rocket Software is driving ACUCOBOL modernization, learn Railway Furnishers modernization story, and explore the renewed Rocket ACUCOBOL community.  Rocket Software Advances ACUCOBOL Modernization COBOL and its dialects remain a cornerstone of global business operations, powering 70% of the world’s business transaction processing across industries such as banking, insurance, travel, retail, and government. However, running COBOL and ACUCOBOL that have not been modernized, combined with outdated engineering tools and practices, can slow innovation, increase operational risk, and expose systems to today’s security threats. Organizations with COBOL at their core can no longer afford to operate on outdated applications and systems, or take unnecessary, expensive risks with application rewrite projects. Rocket ACUCOBOL’s latest updates empower enterprises to modernize critical

Hello ACUCOBOL Community! Last week, we brought together over 50 passionate COBOL and ACUCOBOL enthusiasts right next to the iconic London Eye, and what a day it was! The event was packed with learning, experience exchange, and networking. While every modernization journey is unique, many of you face similar challenges. That's why being part of a community matters. It gives us a chance to learn from each other, find inspiration, and grow together. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed with insightful questions, ideas, and feedback. You made the day truly special. Here's a quick look at the key topics we explored: Rocket COBOL: Edge of TomorrowWe discussed COBOL's continued relevance and evolution, highlighting how modern tools including AI are expanding its capabilities and integration potential. How to Drive New Business Value with New Features in Rocket ACUCOBOL productsA showcase of the latest enhancements and functionalities across our product suite