Rocket® COBOL

Problem: Installing Application Server with .net  4.0, getting internal error 2908 when trying to apply SRN90N40.exe Net Express with .net fixpack. Resolution: install .net sdk framework 1.1, then apply the SRN90N40.exe Old KB# 4104

Problem: To setup the Java environment with Micro Focus COBOL run the command     . $COBDIR/bin/cobsje -v -J <Java_Home> If  running on HP/UX 11.11 the cobsje script will abend with the error:     ksh: COBCPY: parameter not set Resolution: This is a problem with HP/UX 11.11.   The workaround is to set the environment variable COBCPY to anything prior to running the cobsje script:     export COBCPY=A    . $COBDIR/bin/cobsje -v -J <Java_Home> This is not a problem running on HP/UX 11.00. Old KB# 4073

Problem: According to the documentation, a fileshare server can be run as a background task using the following command line: fs >server-1.log 2>&1 & However after running this command, the following is displayed on the command line: [1]   Stopped                 fs >server-1.log 2>&1 and an rts32 process is left running while can only be terminated with a kill -9 Resolution: Problem here seems to be that the fileshare password file needs to be available when starting the server as a background task.  This is normally configured in the fs.cfg file, however this file does not seem to get automatically picked-up when starting the server as a background task. The following command lines will correctly start the server in background mode: 1.  fs < fs.cfg >server-1.log 2>&1 & 2.  fs -s

Problem: When writing a customised file handler on OCDS, the file ufhtab.o is provided to give various functions. This file has to be linked in to the runtime system. There seems to be no equivalent to this file in Server Express. Resolution: The cob command line to link an application with a user callable file handler has changed: you no longer need to specify the file handlers for all the different types of files, and the module ufhtab.o is therefore no longer required. It's also recommended that you specify the file handler with the CALLFH compiler directive, rather than using the -m flag. ** This option may be withdrawn in a future release of Server Express. ** Old KB# 4080#ServerExpress#RMCOBOL#COBOL#AcuCobol#netexpress

Problem: The example project MSMQLE works fine in NET Express  but transfering it to a Visual Studio project it does not compile.  Are there any instructions for doing this or is there a .NET example of using MSMQ available? Resolution: The MSMQOLE demo will not compile in Visual Studio as it consists of calls to unmanaged code -- the win32 APIs and the MSMQ objects, for instance. In .NET, you would add a reference to the managed System.Messaging .NET object. Please see the attached demo, which simply sends a message to a Private queue called 'MSMQTest'. If you change the 'QueuePathName' in the MSMQTEST.CBL source file in the MSMQOLE demo to have this 'MSMQTest' private queue receiving the messages, you can run the demo as a receiver and the message from the .NET sample will be displayed in the output window of the MSMQOLE demo.  Otherwise it will be there in the Queue messages for the 'MSMQTest' pr

Problem: Trying to anim Pro*COBOL programs  results in a blank screen.  Animating pure COBOL program works fine. CTF and truss traces show a 115 error in dispatch.gnt and then the process appears to hang. Resolution: The problem can be resolved by applying an IBM patch to AIX for APAR IY80008. Apparently the issue shows up when the bos.rte.libpthread package is version 5.3.0.30. If you use 5.3.0.0 debugging works correctly. The issue does not show up on our AIX 5.1 or AIX 5.2 machines, which use an older still version of libpthread. You can find a little more information on the problem via this link: http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=isg1IY80008 There's another link at the top of this page to go to a download page to get the fix. Old KB# 4116

Problem: This example program demonstrates the use of the Net Express call-by-name library routine PC_PRINTER_WRITE. It will read the line sequential file PRNTRECS.DAT and output the records one at a time to the default system printer. This program also demonstrates the use of variable length line sequential files defined with the RECORD IS VARYING IN SIZE clause. Resolution: INTRODUCTION =========== This example program demonstrates the use of the Net Express call-by-name library routine PC_PRINTER_WRITE. It will read the line sequential file PRNTRECS.DAT and output the records one at a time to the default system printer. This program also demonstrates the use of variable length line sequential files defined with the RECORD IS VARYING IN SIZE clause. SOURCE FILES: ========== Program Files           Description --------------------     -----------------------------------

Problem: Memory management is enabled by default since WrapPack all05n40.exe and might highlight memory problems in existing applications causing them to fail with the new run-time error 252. Resolution: memory_strategy Sets a memory management strategy. Syntax: >>-----set memory_strategy=---strategy-specification------>< Parameters: strategy-specification A numeric value representing one or more of the following flags (see Comments for information about valid combinations): Value Meaning 0x00000001 Check bytes strategy: prepend and append check bytes to each memory allocation 0x00000002 Check freed memory strategy: monitor for subsequent corruption the last n memory blocks freed, where n is the current value set using the memory_free_check_size run-time tunable 0x00000004 Reuse strategy: allow freed memory being monitored for corruption to be used to satisfy allocation requests 0x40000000 Compatibility strategy: maintain

Problem: You might want to hide or make invisible a control (e.g. input field) in a HTML form based on some values or events. Resolution: The best way to do this is to use JavaScript, a programming language that is common on Web pages. You can have JavaScript to determine when to hide a field. Although you can do many things with JavaScript, it would require you to know about HTML codes as well. The following JavaScript makes input2 invisible when the onclick_func function is executed and the value of input1 is "fano": function onclick_func() { if (document.form1.input1.value == "fano") document.form1.input2.style.display = 'none' } There are so many references of JavaScript on the Internet, and you will be able to find ways to enhance interaction with your web pages. Old KB# 4053

Problem: Is there an equivalent feature to the Animate | DateWarp feature in the Net Express IDE, to be used outside of the IDE for runtime? Resolution: Yes, there is.  The runtime tunables datewarp_dynamic and timewarp_dynamic. REF:  Go to the Net Express help menu and in the 'Index' tab, enter the keyword 'datewarp_dynamic' or 'timewarp_dynamic' Or go to the 'Contents' tab and located under the Reference | runtime system | runtime tunables for the datewarp_dynamic topic     datewarp_dynamic Specifies whether the day, month, and year values specified by the current_day, current_month, and current_year tunables return static or "rolling" values. Syntax: >>-----set datewarp_dynamic=---.-TRUE-.-------------><                          &

Problem: Using the Print feature (File > Print) for some Dialog System screensets fail with error 114. Resolution: The problem is caused by a control that is somehow positioned off the window. To determine the problem, an export file must be produced from the screenset. Below is an example: From the export file    Object {NoName}        Type TEXT        Parent WIN1        Start (2080,65472)        Display "PROC"        Stylename {Default-Font}    End Object  #{NoName} This object is attached to WIN1 but the position places it off the window. When print runs, it tries to place this in the screenset image, but because it is off the window, it tries to place it in a location outside the image causing the 114.

Problem: How to set a Conditional Breakpoint in Animator. Resolution: You can set a Conditional Breakpoint in Animator.  This is not the same as a hard breakpoint.  A hard breakpoint occurs when Animator executes a specific statement.  A Conditional Breakpoint is a test of a data-item.  When that test becomes true, execution stops.   Below are some valid examples of breakpoints that may be used by animating our demonstration program pi.cbl. PI > 3.14      N < 25    STRING  =  "entrypoint"   loop-counter > <value> When the breakpoint is set, the COBOL line will be highlighted. Remember, you do not specify the word "if" when setting the breakpoint. Old KB# 4070

Problem: This program demonstrates how to use the Windows 32-bit API function EnumPrinters to obtain a list of available printers and their associated parameters. This demo works on Windows 95, 98 NT, 2000 and XP Resolution: INTRODUCTION ========== This program demonstrates how to use the Windows 32-bit API function EnumPrinters to obtain a list of available printers and their associated parameters. SOURCE FILES: ============= Program Files                  Description -------------------------     ----------------------------------------------------------- ENUMPRNT.CBL              Main program for this demo EnumprintLocal.CBL        Program that calls the WINAPI function EnumPrinters to list      &nbs

Problem: This Demo reads in the binary data of a .jpg and then writes it to a database 8KB at a time.  The .jpg is stored in the database as an Image field.  It then reads this Image field 8KB at a time into a memory buffer and then writes it to a file on disk and then opens the file. Resolution: INTRODUCTION ========== This Demo reads in the binary data of a .jpg and then writes it to a database 8KB at a time.  The .jpg is stored in the database as an Image field.  It then reads this Image field 8KB at a time into a memory buffer and then writes it to a file on disk and then opens the file. SOURCE FILES: ========= Program Files           Description --------------------     ----------------------------------------------------------- BlobDemo.cbl Copy Files: --------------------     -------------------------

Problem: Following the steps in the Resolution below it should be possible to discover which Native Code Generator created a .GNT or .O file. This can be useful if you want to discover which release of Server Express was used. Resolution: Open the GNT/OBJ file with the command: what filename or strings filename | fgrep "@(#)" Seach the contents of the file for  @(#) There should be a string which looks like:   @(#)Hello      99051015180266 GNR-049060000AC  Genesis PowerPC hilo 1.231> or   @(#)hello      99051015393162 GNR-054060000AC  tcg1di386 1.422> which means: hello - base name of the INT file from which this file was generated. 99051015393162 - date and time when it was generated. GNR-054060000AC - version of checker stamp which comes from the INT file. tcg1di386 - version of the generator used.

Problem: If a calling program calls a program without passing all parameters defined in Linkage section (of called program), then the runtime system may fail with runtime error 114. This will happen when the called program references any LINKAGE SECTION field that has not received a parameter. For example, the following is code in the calling program:                                    CALL "SUBPROG" USING WS-AREA                                                               &nbsp

Problem: This example program demonstrates how to use the Windows SDK Printing and Spooling functions to print a document which contains embedded printer ESC sequence codes. These codes can control various formatting features of the printer. Resolution: INTRODUCTION ========== This example program demonstrates how to use the Windows SDK Printing and Spooling functions to print a document which contains embedded printer ESC sequence codes. These codes can control various formatting features of the printer. This example demonstrates how this can be accomplished by setting up the printer as a Raw device so as to bypass the print driver and write directly to the printer itself. Printer ESC codes differ between different manufacturers and models so this method is definately not portable. This program was written for an HP LaserJet 5L printer and uses the ESC codes supported by this model and other HP LaserJet printers. You can modify this program for your o

Problem: Deploying an application created with Net Express and running on Application Server for Net Express may sometimes result in a Dynamically Bound RTS Error. NOTE: View the Adobe Acrobat .PDF form of this document via the attachment link at the bottom of this document for the complete document, which includes graphic screen shots of the error message being referred to. Resolution: There are three possible situations that can cause this error to occur: " The first, and most likely, cause of this error is a difference between the Fix Pack levels between the Net Express and Application Server for Net Express packages.  The correction for this situation is to insure that both are on similar Fix Pack levels. " The second cause for this error message could be that both products have the correct Fix Pack levels, but there's a problem with the environment settings. i.e.: the Path is set to point to an older or newer version of a CBL

Problem: How to find out the software version of the UNIX product? Resolution: To locate the software version of the cobol unix products installed cat $COBDIR/etc/cobver This will show the software version (see below example: v4.0 SP1) and build version (see below example: 40.03) of the product, as well as any latest fixpack installed (see below example: PTI=Fixpack40.03_10) and if the Enterprise Server Development component is installed (see below example: PTI=ES).   For example: cobol v4.0.00-e PRN=RXCTZ/AAA:9h.N3.40.03 PTI=SP1 PTI=ES PTI=Fixpack40.03_10 If you have more than one version of any of the Micro Focus Unix products, then you'll need to know the exact location of where these products are installed to determine the version of these products. Old KB# 4087

Problem: The example program illustrates how to use the CBL_LOCATE_FILE call-by-name routine. Resolution: ============== INTRODUCTION ========== The example program illustrates how to use the CBL_LOCATE_FILE call-by-name routine. SOURCE FILES: ============= Program Files     Description ----------------     ----------------------------------------------------------- CblMain.cbl        Example program that uses CBL_LOCATE_FILE to locate Mfnetx.exe REQUIREMENTS: ========== This example was created and Animated using NetExpress 3.1, Service Pack 1. OPERATION: ======= Check and Animate the example. Examine the variables returned by the call to the routine. NOTES: ==== "status-code" provides an overall indication of the success or failure of the routine. "exist-flag" indicates whether the file was or was not found. "path-f

Problem: How do you create a MFDEBUG log file? Resolution: The MFDEBUG.LOG is really designed for MF use rather than Customers. It is a dump which shows the state of the machine when a COBOL program crashes. Development can decode this and sometimes use it to help pinpoint problems in the runtime. The log file is created automatically and is copied to the working directory. Old KB# 4020

Problem: This demo demonstrates how you can create a zip file or add to an existing zip file from a COBOL program. Resolution: INTRODUCTION ========== This demo demonstrate how you can create a zip file or add to an existing zip file from a Cobol program. SOURCE FILES: ========= Program Files     Description ----------------     ----------------------------------------------------------- zip.cbl Copy Files ----------------     ----------------------------------------------------------- minwin.cpy wintypes.cpy winbase.cpy REQUIREMENTS: ========== This demo uses the Big Speed Zip DLL shareware from BigSpeedSoft. OPERATION: ======== Simply rebuild the application and run or animate NOTE: ==== This demo was originally developped by one of our customers, Mr. Gary Holness. Thanks Gary. ========================================================== Keywords: demo

Problem: Release 4.0: This error appeared when trying to compile any program within Net Express, including the demos provided with Net Express. Resolution: The problem appeared a corruption. A simple deinstall and reinstall didn't work here. Nor cleaning the registry entries. Somehow something on the system completely corrupted the programs within Net Express. The only solution to this problem was to get the backup of the  previous week and the corruption disappeared. Old KB# 4040#RMCOBOL#COBOL#ServerExpress#netexpress#AcuCobol

Problem: This example illustrates how to format and use long file names with call-by-name routines. Resolution: =========== INTRODUCTION ========== This example illustrates how to format and use long file names with call-by-name routines. SOURCE FILES: ========= Program Files     Description ----------------     ----------------------------------------------------------- Cbnrndlf.cbl       Example program that uses call-by-name routines and long file names. OPERATION: ======== Rebuild the example program and then Animate the program. As you step through the program you will see that the text file in the project directory (LongFileName.txt) is copied and assigned the name "CopiedFile.txt". Next, the new file is renamed "RenamedFile.txt". Finally, the new file is deleted. NOTE: ==== The three constants that follow provide three long f

Problem: You may have problem applying Net Express 4.0 wrappack with all07n40.exe hanging during the installation of the IDE fixpack. If you are running source control software (eg 'Perforce' ), this could be causing the wrappack to hang. Resolution: It looks like it is the Source Code Control software on the machine could cause the problem. Go into the registry and look at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\SourceCodeControlProvider and rename the key ProviderRegKey to something like ProviderRegKeyxxx, then it won't find it and try to make it available. If the NX 4.0 IDE FixPack then goes in ok you should be able to run Net Express. What Source Code Control software do you have installed? Also, you could try uninstalling and reinstalling the SCC software and see if it works. If it doesn't then renaming the key will at least mean they can coexist even if they can't communicate. Renaming the key in the registry should resolv