
Microfocus Cobol Migration to IBM Cobol for AIX
Once upon a time and LONG ago, the IBM COBOL compiler for AIX was a
"re-packaged" Micro Focus compiler. That hasn't been true for MANY years
now. The IBM COBOL Set for AIX is *entirely* an IBM developed product. It
is "pretty much" (I am not certain how much any more) the same as the IBM
VisualAge COBOL product (for Windows - and used to be for OS/2). Its
"front-end" is also *fairly* compatible with the IBM mainframe COBOLs (but
again, I don't think they have been kept in sync - exactly).
There are many, MANY, things (extensions) in the Micro Focus product that
are NOT in the IBM compilers. I would suggest that you try compiling your
existing COBOL source code with Micro Focus and the "FLAG(COBOL370)"
directive. This will tell you which extensions you are using in existing
code that will NOT work with the IBM compiler. This may be large - or it
may be small (depending on exactly how you have coded your programs).
NOTE WELL:
The FLAG(COBOL370) directive is NOT current with the IBM compiler. There
may be SOME items that it will flag - that are now supported with IBM COBOL
Set for AIX - for example, COMP-5 may get flagged, but is currently
supported by IBM. However, this setting should give you a pretty good idea
of the amount of source-code changes that will be involved. Run-time
changes (such as different results for arithmetic expressions) are another
matter, but usually not TOO bad.
--
Bill Klein
wmklein <at> ix.netcom.com
Quote:
> :confused:
> Hello Everyone :
> I'm new to this forum. Our company is in the process of moving away from
> "Microfocus Cobol" to "IBM's Cobol for AIX". I'm not sure if anyone else
> has been involved in recent licensing changes Microfocus has
> established. But they are too expensive for our clients. IBM's Cobol (
> which I was surprised to find out is too, made by Microfocus' ) is
> licensed much more affordably.
> Has anyone gone thru the migration process from MF Cobol, to IBM
> Cobol for AIX ?
> If so, can you plz. forward me any comments, notes, documentations ? I
> would be very greatful for any help. I will revisit this forum daily to
> look for any updates. My experiences with other forums have been less
> than desirable. I hope this will change.
> taking the time to read my piece. Looking forward to your comments.
> Thanks. Farhad.
> --
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