Rocket® Visual COBOL®

I've not ventured back to VS Code for a fair while, so have some questions and things that need clarification.My understanding for searching through the community posts what when you start vs code (such as from the command line 'code . ') if an existing .cblproj file exists it is read and the compile directives used, SQL directives and copybook paths.I seem to find this isn't true. To locate my copybooks I ended up creating a cobol.dir file and used COPYPATH(C:\\MF\\COPY;C:\\MF\\CPB)I also configured tasks.json: {     "version": "2.0.0",     "tasks": [         {             "type": "COBOL-MSBuild",             "command": "C:\\\\Program Files\\\\Microsoft Visual Studio\\\\2022\\\\Enterprise\\\\MSBuild\\\\Current\\\\Bin\\\\amd64\\\\MSBuild.exe",             "buildTarget": "${workspacefolder}/MyProg.cblproj",             "problemMatcher": [                 "$COBOLMSBuild"             ],             "group": "build",             "label": "COBOL: MSBuild (Compile Current File)",            

We are in the process of converting a native application to COBOL .NET and I would like to know a couple of things Is the use of SQLDA supported in COBOL .NET? If so then do I still need to set the address of sqldata(n) to a group entry as per below and process in 64k chunks or is there a better (easier) way? 01 obj-entry.    03 obj-len     pic s9(9) comp-5.    03 obj-str      pic x(65535). Ideally I would like to utilise a type String field but, as I have learnt, you cannot use ADDRESS OF on a native managed type so hoping for alternatives Thanks------------------------------Peter Restorick------------------------------

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------------------------------

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

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 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------------------------------

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

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, 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------------------------------

It’s time for a monthly wrap-up.We’re glad you’re here—more than 200 community members make this sub-forum a great place to connect and learn.This month, we had some excellent conversations. Here are three highlights:Alternate ways to install Visual COBOL code as services other than NSSM or task scheduler Highlights: Celebrating COBOL Day in Paris Microsoft Defender SmartScreen flags programs as "unrecognized app"Did you find these posts helpful? What other topics or resources would you love to see here? Your ideas shape the content we create, so please share your feedback in the comments.Thanks for being an engaged part of our community. We’re looking forward to another month of learning and sharing with you! ------------------------------Martyna UleviciuteCustomer Community Managermuleviciute@rocketsoftware.com------------------------------ 

Hi there, We want this forum to work for you. What kind of Visual COBOL content do you want to see more of? Are there tutorials, tips, or resources that would help you? Maybe you’re interested in best practices, performance optimization, or integration examples? Your feedback is important. Share your ideas, big or small. Let us know in the replies or send them my way via a direct message! Thanks for helping us shape the future of this space!------------------------------Martyna UleviciuteCustomer Community Managermuleviciute@rocketsoftware.com------------------------------

Can anyone recommend an AI to use with help developing with Visual COBOL?   My co-workers that write in C++ are using Cursor, but that does not support Visual COBOL. ------------------------------Amy McDonoughSenior Software DeveloperN. Harris Computer CorporationIL US------------------------------

Last week, I had the pleasure of delivering the keynote at the Rocket Software Future of COBOL event, held just off the Champs-Élysées in a truly stunning venue in the heart of Paris. COBOL Day brought together members of our COBOL community to share experiences, learn from each other's modernization journeys, and explore the future of Rocket Visual COBOL and Rocket ACUCOBOL products.. Key topics we covered included: Move to Rocket Software and the Future of COBOL: We explored the ongoing relevance and evolution of COBOL. A special focus was placed on how modern environments and tools—including AI—are extending COBOL’s lifespan and enhancing integration with current technologies. It was a great to share our vision and what’s ahead for Rocket Visual COBOL and Rocket ACUCOBOL. New Functionalities in Rocket Visual COBOL and Rocket ACUCOBOL: Participants got a first look at the latest features and enhancements now available in Rocket Visual COBOL and Rocket ACUCOBOL. Modernization Options

Hello Visual COBOL community! As June comes to an end, I'm excited to share some updates and highlights from our sub-forum. Our community is steadily growing-thank you to each of our 173 members for your participation and enthusiasm! We truly appreciate everyone who has jumped in to ask questions, share knowledge, and help fellow members. More Community Activity Ahead! There's even more on the way. Expect a wider variety of conversations, fresh content, and engaging activities in the coming months. Your feedback and contributions will help shape what's coming next-so keep the posts and ideas coming! June's Top Discussions Here's a quick look at some of the hot topics and useful threads from June: Setup of Visual Cobol on WSL Ubuntu CES Daemon in Docker container Micro Focus Visual COBOL 8.0 Windows event log API functions In-person COBOL Days We had amazing gatherings in Brussels (recap here), Sydney and Melbourne (recap here), and Paris this month. If you took part, share your favor

Hello team, I have a customer reporting that "the first time I tried to run a Visual COBOL executable on our new server, Windows threw an error like the one below." and asking: Is there some trick to getting this to not occur? Initial research I've just done on smartscreen shows:  Microsoft Defender SmartScreen flags a program as "unrecognized" when it lacks a sufficient reputation or is not widely known to Microsoft's security database. This can happen due to: Low Distribution: The program is new, has limited downloads, or is not commonly used, so SmartScreen hasn't built a trust profile for it. Missing Digital Signature: The program lacks a valid digital signature from a trusted certificate authority, which verifies the publisher's identity. Suspicious Behavior: The program exhibits characteristics similar to malware, such as unusual file modifications, network activity, or code obfuscation. New or Modified Files: A recently compiled or updated program may not yet be recognized by

While working with Rocket COBOL (Micro Focus COBOL) , I encountered the following error: 87 Micro Focus COBOL Community Edition usage period has expired I would like to understand why this issue occurs and what can be done to prevent it. Does this message indicate that the license has expired? If so, is there a way to extend it? I am using this tool with Visual Studio Code. Could this be related to a specific configuration or a plugin setting? Thank you for any insights and help!------------------------------Super GoscDevRocket Software Forum Member------------------------------

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:   I have a Micro Focus Visual COBOL code that is built into exe and made to run as Windows services. There is a requirement to capture more information through code and record it in Windows event log as part of Windows services event logging.   Looking to find solution for below two items:   1. Micro Focus Visual COBOL API functions that can access (read/write) to Windows event log.   2. Ways to capture Windows logged in user information in Micro Focus Visual COBOL code and write it to event log.------------------------------Kavitha NatarajanRocket Software Forum Member------------------------------

Hi, Community! We only have 1 week left until the Rocket® ACUCOBOL extend® 11 release webinar!  Join in on Thursday, June 26, 10 a.m.-11 a.m. ET for the latest insights and live demos. Dominique Sacre, Principal Product Manager for ACUCOBOL, will guide us through: Faster development with Visual Studio Code support. Easier cloud deployment with Rocket® AcuToWeb®. Enhanced user interfaces with a new graphical features. Expanded platform support. Plus, bring your questions for our live Q&A! 👉 Register here------------------------------Martyna UleviciuteCustomer Community Managermuleviciute@rocketsoftware.com------------------------------

All the power in your hands: You can customize your privacy settings to feel comfortable in this community. Here’s how to do it: 1️⃣ Access your privacy settings:Navigate to My Profile -> My Account -> Privacy Settings to explore your options. 2️⃣ Choose your visibility: Want to appear in the members' roster so others can find you through search? Slide the toggle to Yes Prefer to stay incognito? Select No to keep your profile hidden 3️⃣ Control your personal information. Decide who can see specific details about you: Only Me: Keep it private My Contacts: Share only with your connections Members Only: Allow visibility to fellow community members Public: Make it accessible to everyone 📝 Need help? Check out our Getting Started Page for a quick guide on how to use the forum and make the most out of your experience. Or drop me a direct message and we can work from there.------------------------------Martyna UleviciuteCustomer Community Managermuleviciute@rocketsoftware.c