Rocket® COBOL

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

Software used:   Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2019 Version 16.11.42   Micro Focus Visual COBOL 8.0    Operating System: Windows Server 2022 Datacenter   Problem Description:   We have few Micro Focus Visual COBOL program executables running as Windows services. These .cbl programs were created using 'Console Application, COBOL' option in Visual Studio editor. The built .exes were converted to services using NSSM (Non Sucking Service Manager). Requirement now is to eliminate NSSM and create core Visual COBOL code that runs itself as Windows services without help of any third party tool. Is this feasible with a project created with 'Console Application, COBOL' options? ------------------------------Kavitha NatarajanRocket Software Forum Member------------------------------

Does anyone have any experience in how best to configure processors on virtual servers?  We have a client that upgraded their server and is now experiencing issues with some batch oriented programs (reports, updates) taking noticeably longer to run than on their old server.  Their IT guy has run tests on both old and new servers and is showing stats that in most cases the new server is returning better results.  The programs that seem to be running slower are doing a lot of reading and some rewriting and some report creation.  The IT guy is asking if it makes any difference to the AcuCobol-GT Runtime as to how he configures the processors, such as 2 CPU's with 4 cores each, versus 1 CPU with 8 cores, etc.  We do not do much multi-threading within our Cobol programs, and not at all in a few they are seeing decreased performance in, but not sure what/if any of this processor configuration on a VM matters to the Runtime either, or if it does affect it at all.  Just curious if anyone had e

I have below scenario.  Input File <<input_file.txt>> 0005abcde                                                                ====> Record1 0020abcdefghijklmnopqrst                                   =====> Record2 Each record has 2 part: Part#1          4 digit records length (ex: 0005) Part#2        Actual Data (ex: abcde) How the FD section should be defined in such case ? ------------------------------Swapnil GuptaSenior Application DeveloperPharmacy Data Management, Inc.Youngstown US------------------------------

I am trying to set a windows variable in COBOL that I will be able to read in a C# program I am calling from COBOL. "SET testvar=xx" works at a DOS prompt. However the following does not work. move "SET testvar=xx" to AFLD60CALL "C$SYSTEM" USING AFLD60, 97 END-CALL. | Called ASYNCH so no delay Any ideas would be most appreciated. Thanks, Steve  

Using Micro Focus\\Visual COBOL\\Samples\\COBOL for .NET\\Collections sample ,  which doesn't compile, and errors on the exact problem I'm trying to resolve.Visual COBOL 10 Update 6.How do I create an IF statement so based on the type I know an action to take like:        01 TableNew type System.Collections.Generic.SortedList[string, string].       01 myType object.           set myType = tablenew::GetType().           if myType is type System.Collections.Generic.SortedList[string, string]               display "Table is sorted"               *> Go do something.          else              *> Test if its a string or dictionary etc           end-ifAlso not valid:       if TableNew::GetType() = type System.Collections.Generic.SortedList[string, string]------------------------------Neil Hayes------------------------------

In Native COBOL you can have something like this:        01 MyData.           05 MyString1        Object Reference.           05 MyString2        Object Reference.           05 MyString3        Object Reference.           05 MyString4        Object Reference.           *> This is just a simplist list, there could be 100's       01 ProgramToCall        PIC X(6).       procedure division.           *> Program Names are build dynamically and called in a variable.          move "ABCDEF" to ProgramToCall          Call ProgramToCall using MyData Now moving to COBOL .NET this has to change as Object References must be on an 01 Level. All of my programs are in separate projects. All program Names  are called inside a variable All Linkages to different programs change depending on the program being called, some might not have any Object References, others my have 100's Q1. How do I simulate the same process in COBOL .NET?Q2. Can I do it without creating a project references? (Make it mo

Hi everyone, I'm Dominique, product director of Rocket ACUCOBOL products. First of all, thank you for the interest in Rocket ACUCOBOL extend 11. We're excited to see so many upgrades in progress. We're currently preparing a webinar on the modernization of ACUCOBOL applications, and we'd love to feature real customer stories. If you've been modernizing your applications and are ready to share your journey (where you started, where you are today, and what's ahead) we'd be thrilled to hear from you. If you want to share your ACUCOBOL modernization story, leave a comment in this thread or contact me directly via dsacre@rocketsoftware.com  Thank you------------------------------Dominique SacrePrincipal Product ManagerRocket Internal - All BrandsParis FR------------------------------

Serveral questions here all in regard the the RunUnit in COBOL .NET.1. In COBOL .NET you can spin up a RunUnit and do work, then suspend the RunUnit in a rununitcache (ConcurrentDictionary).A ConcurrentDictionary is stored in process, is there any way to store a suspended RunUnitin Redis or something similar?So if you are scaling out across servers you could pick up that RunUnitregardless of the server you hit via it's id or something?2. What else could I do with a RunUnit other than start, stop, dispose, SetUserData & GetUserData that might add value?3. Can you get the ID of a RunUnit inside the RunUnit? 4. Is there a limit to amount of RunUnit's you can spin up under say C# rest api? Neil ------------------------------Neil HayesSoftware Development Specialist------------------------------

Hi, What is the meaning of Loc 521? Error invoking unauthorized copy of compiler. Use count exceeded (Loc 521). Internal Compiler Error: -1 Regards, ------------------------------Juan Manuel UrraburuDirector, Information TechnologyProRM UruguayMontevideo UY------------------------------

Hi everyone, COBOL has powered the world’s economy for decades, delivering reliability and scalability. Yet myths and outdated views persist, even among those who have worked with it. Many still picture COBOL as it was 30 years ago, missing how much it has evolved. Let’s separate myth from reality and give you the facts to talk about COBOL with confidence.  Myth #1: COBOL is no longer in use. Reality: According to a Vanson Bourne survey, over 800 billion lines of COBOL code are active worldwide. While new COBOL applications are rare, existing systems are regularly maintained and expanded, adding more code each year. Myth #2: COBOL can’t integrate with new tech stacks. Reality: Rocket® COBOL integrates with JVM and .NET platforms, making it compatible with today’s languages and contemporary IT architectures like microservices. COBOL's portability has enabled enterprises to use their core business logic across every era of IT without requiring a complete rewrite. Myth #3: COBO

Hi everyone, COBOL has powered the world’s economy for decades, delivering reliability and scalability. Yet myths and outdated views persist, even among those who have worked with it. Many still picture COBOL as it was 30 years ago, missing how much it has evolved. Let’s separate myth from reality and give you the facts to talk about COBOL with confidence.  Myth #1: COBOL is no longer in use. Reality: According to a Vanson Bourne survey, over 800 billion lines of COBOL code are active worldwide. While new COBOL applications are rare, existing systems are regularly maintained and expanded, adding more code each year. Myth #2: COBOL can’t integrate with new tech stacks. Reality: Rocket® COBOL integrates with JVM and .NET platforms, making it compatible with today’s languages and contemporary IT architectures like microservices. COBOL's portability has enabled enterprises to use their core business logic across every era of IT without requiring a complete rewrite. Myth #3: COBO

Continuing with the events that arose during a migration from Net Express 5.1 to Visual Cobol 10, a file opening error occurred. There is a file with eight records opened in input mode by several processes. The event was reviewed and found that when making this call, the service crashed. The reason is unclear since, as indicated, the file only contains eight records and is invoked in input mode. The question is whether new or additional features for file management should be specified for Visual Cobol 10, since this crash and increased resource usage is very high. I appreciate your comments and/or guidance in this regard. Thank you very much.------------------------------alejandro rodriguez manceraconsulting IIOptima LATAM------------------------------

Does anybody have a sample to send emails with AcuCobol to Office365? Until now we use sonnectors/dlls like Simple MAPI, Extended MAPI, SMTP or MSMAPI After installing Office 365 it seems we have to use the Microsoft Graph API. But no one knows how to integrate this API. Best regards Martin Richter------------------------------Martin RichterCEORop It Gmbh & Co. KgGermering DE------------------------------

Hi everyone, Today's developers expect a certain toolset for any project, with Visual Studio Code being one of the most popular development tools in the world. To make it easier to attract new specialists and to streamline the development within your enterprise, we've built the Rocket ACUCOBOL-GT Extension for Visual Studio Code, bringing key Rocket AcuBench features directly into VS Code on Windows. (with Linux support coming soon) Import your existing Rocket AcuBench projects, keep your compiler settings, and continue building, editing, compiling, and debugging without missing a beat. Inside the extension, you'll find: Rocket AcuBench Project Support - Use the extension to create and edit AcuBench projects. Compile - Build projects and programs using extension functionality. Debug - Debug your generated code. Create and Edit Screens - Use the extension to create, edit, and delete screens and screen controls. Code Editing - Supports basic ACUCOBOL code editing. It's built for comp

Hi everyone, As we're preparing exciting things for you about the upcoming Rocket Visual COBOL 11.0 release, it's a great opportunity to reflect on how COBOL continues to successfully support critical systems around the world. Here are five reasons why COBOL remains ideal for enterprise-grade applications. Designed for business and built to last COBOL was purpose-built for high-volume data processing, complex reporting, and precise financial calculations. Every day, COBOL applications process nearly 200 times more transactions than all Google and YouTube searches combined. High performance and rock-solid reliability have always been hallmarks of COBOL systems. High portability: it runs just about anywhere COBOL applications written decades ago still operate seamlessly on today's platforms, from mainframes to the multicloud. Thanks to COBOL's portability, mission-critical applications have adapted across generations of technology and will continue to do so. Enterprises can reuse cor

Linux/Windows thin client; runtime 10.51 I need to display any of a series of bitmaps in a grid cell.  I am using WBITMAP-LOAD (I have also tried WBITMAP-LOAD-IMAGES) to load a .bmp file, and I get a handle to the object.  However, these bitmaps will not display in grid cells if the runtime is thin client (if not thin client, it works).  I can display the bitmaps if the grid is not active. The grid is an active-x control called #grid.  ------------------------------Ken Schwartz Lead EngineerSouthWare ApteanOpelika US------------------------------

Hi, we use C$LOCKPID in Linux. Now we have a customer who's working with AcuConnect for Windows and we need something like C$LOCKPID. Is there a C$LOCKPID for windows or an alternative ? I found a post here from 2004, but perhaps there was some progress in the last 20 years ? ------------------------------Andreas WeinandSend invoices to this addressVacos GmbHStuttgart DE------------------------------

Trying to load Microsoft Visual Studio with Micro Focus Visual COBOL PE I get this message: "An error occurred in MainProg while attempting to open MM.cbl  No license for this feature is available ... expired.    Unable to obtain the requested licens:  [5997] no license is found"    How do I get a license renewal?   Thanks Paul Richards------------------------------[Paul] [Richards] []MrRocket Forum Shared AccountAustralia------------------------------

Hi everyone, With Rocket ACUCOBOL extend 11 now available, our team is already working on the next set of updates and improvements. As we plan future enhancements for ACUCOBOL products, it's a great opportunity to reflect on how COBOL (and ACUCOBOL) continue to successfully support critical systems around the world. Here are five reasons why COBOL remains ideal for enterprise-grade applications. Designed for business and built to last COBOL was purpose-built for high-volume data processing, complex reporting, and precise financial calculations. Every day, COBOL applications process nearly 200 times more transactions than all Google and YouTube searches combined. High performance and rock-solid reliability have always been hallmarks of COBOL systems. High portability: it runs just about anywhere COBOL applications written decades ago still operate seamlessly on today's platforms, from mainframes to the multicloud. Thanks to COBOL's portability, mission-critical applications have ada

Hi everyone, Today, we want to share MAIF's modernization story with you. MAIF, a major Spanish insurance company, successfully modernized its IT ecosystem without interrupting critical operations while boosting efficiency through innovative tools and processes. Here's how Rocket Visual COBOL made it possible: Company Founded in 1934, MAIF showcases a unique mutual insurance model where each of its 4.2 million members are both an insurer and insured. Renowned for their innovation and unwavering social commitment, MAIF continuously evolves to meet members' needs while fostering trust and responsibility. Challenge MAIF needed to replace the mainframe with modern, scalable infrastructure to improve processing, enable 24/7 availability, and enhance self-service without disrupting operations. Faced with an aging mainframe at end-of-life, MAIF sought a sustainable architecture to support seamless migration while modernizing their system. The goals were to optimize performance, ensure continu

I'm working on connecting a Visual COBOL application using an ODBC driver, and we want the driver to recognize that the request is specifically coming from a Visual COBOL program. Is there any standard way to achieve this? For example, does Visual COBOL use any common executable file that the driver can detect to identify the source of the call? Or is there any recommended way for the driver to detect that the request is coming from Visual COBOL?------------------------------Divya KoduriEngineerUnisys CorporationTenali IN------------------------------

Today, we experienced slowdowns in a production environment in the processes running there. We investigated the reason for this loss of performance and found that during the execution of one of the components, an excessive call was made to the thread_stmystate_fast function. Memory addresses were assigned more times than the process requires. This application was running on an earlier OS version, and there, the calls to this function were much lower, which did not cause any slowdowns in the process. I appreciate any guidance you can provide to resolve this error. Sincerely, Alejandro Rodriguez Mancera------------------------------alejandro rodriguez manceraconsulting IIOptima LATAM------------------------------

Does anyone have a sales contact who I could connect with to get a price to purchase a Visual COBOL 10 license to be able to compile programs to run from within SYSPRO 8 2025.------------------------------Grant IronsCEO - Source ITRocket Software Forum Member------------------------------

Hello everyone! We're pleased to announce that Rocket Software has launched Rocket ACUCOBOL extend 11, now available for general use. This release includes new versions of Rocket® AcuToWeb™, Rocket® AcuSQL™, Rocket® Acu4GL®, and Rocket® AcuXDBC™.   With a single upgrade to Rocket extend 11, you unlock multiple growth opportunities. Run your ACUCOBOL applications on the latest operating systems, deploy to the cloud with one click, and enhance the user experience with new graphical controls.  What's new in Rocket ACUCOBOL extend 11:  Faster development with Visual Studio Code support   Empower your teams to modernize ACUCOBOL applications using one of the world's most popular and widely adopted development tools.    Simplified cloud deployment with Rocket AcuToWeb   Easily deploy your ACUCOBOL application anywhere your business requires, including multicloud environments.    Enhanced user interfaces with new graphical features   Build richer, adaptive UIs using a bra