Getting a response from a command line program

That depends on what kind of information you're trying to get out.  If you just want a status check of some sort, a named semaphore is quick and easy.  If you're trying to get data between the processes, then C$SOCKET might be your friend.

You can access a process using COBOL file I/O verbs, by defining it as a file using -P in the ASSIGN clause of the SELECT. Then you can read the output of the command using OPEN INPUT and READ verbs.

       select my-command assign to "-P ls -l /path/to/somedir"
           organization is line sequential
           file status is my-command-stat.

       FD my-command.
       01 output-line pic x(80).

       01 my-command-stat   pic x(02).
           88 my-command-eof value "10".

       ...
           open input my-command
           perform until my-command-eof
               read my-command next record
               ...etc...
       ...

You can also write to an external command, using OPEN OUTPUT and WRITE. You cannot use OPEN EXTEND or OPEN I-O.

This example assumes a Unix or Linux environment, but you can do this on Windows as well - but with some additional handling. Read the docs for detail: ACUCOBOL-GT User's Guide, Section 2.9.1

I am working with Windows but I will look at the User's Guide. That looks like it should do the trick. Thanks!