Problem:

Setting a external runtime switches that can be used within COBOL applications.

Resolution:

The COBOL program would be coded as follows:

       IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.

       ENVIRONMENT DIVISION.

       CONFIGURATION SECTION.

       SPECIAL-NAMES.

           switch-0 ON is test-switch-0

           switch-1 ON is test-switch-1

           switch-2 ON is test-switch-2.

       DATA DIVISION.

       WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.

       PROCEDURE DIVISION.

       100-process.

           if test-switch-0

               display "*** Switch-0 is set".

           if test-switch-1

               display "*** Switch-1 is set".

           iftest-switch-2

               display "*** Switch-2 is set".

           exit program.

           stop run.

You can then set COBSW environment variable (export COBSW= 1 2) or

You can then run your program using - cobrun 0 <pgm-name>

                                                               cobrun 1 <pgm-name>

                                                               cobrun 2 <pgm-name>

or any combination                                cobrun 0 2 <pgm-name>

In the Special-Names paragraph you can also specify if the switch is "off" (switch-3 OFF is test-switch-3.  You can then - cobrun -3 <pgm-name> or set COBSW=-3