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Introducing Pro*COBOL

This chapter describes the Oracle programmatic interface for the COBOL language running on Windows operating systems.

This chapter contains these topics:

• What is Pro*COBOL?
  
  
• Release 1.8.77
  
  
• Supported Compilers
  
  
• Features
  
  
• Restrictions
  
  
• Directory Structure

  See Also: Pro*COBOL Precompiler Programmer's Guide for more information

What is Pro*COBOL?

To access an Oracle database, you use a high-level query language called Structured Query Language (SQL). You often use SQL through an interactive interface, such as SQL*Plus.

Pro*COBOL is a programming tool that enables you to embed SQL statements in a COBOL program. The Pro*COBOL precompiler converts the SQL statements in the COBOL program into standard Oracle run-time library calls. The generated output file can then be compiled, linked, and run in the usual manner.

Use the Pro*COBOL precompiler when rapid development and compatibility with other systems are your priorities.

Release 1.8.77

Oracle Corporation expects that any application written for Pro*COBOL release 1.8.x should precompile successfully with Pro*COBOL release 9.2.0. However, some vendor extensions may not be accepted and the application may not precompile successfully when migrating from release 1.8.x to release 9.2.0.

If you simply want to migrate a release 1.8.x application to release 9.2.0 without using any of the new features of Pro*COBOL release 9.2.0, but the application does not precompile successfully, then report the problem to Oracle Support Services.

Supported Compilers

Pro*COBOL supports the MERANT Micro Focus NetExpress version 3.1 for 32-bit Windows NT, Windows 2000, and Windows 98.

Features

Pro*COBOL supports the following:

• Oracle databases release 8.1.x and higher
  
  
• Embedded PL/SQL blocks
  
  
• Bundled database calls, which can provide better performance in client/server environments
  
  
• Full ANSI compliance for embedded SQL programming
  
  
• Calls to PL/SQL stored procedures

Restrictions

Pro*COBOL does not support the following:

• User exits
  
  
• Access to the Oracle Call Interface
  
  
• Oracle object types
  
  
• Graphical user interface
  
  
• 16-bit code generation

Directory Structure

When you install Pro*COBOL, Oracle Universal Installer creates a directory called \precomp in your ORACLE_BASE\ORACLE_HOME directory.

The \precomp directory contains the directories listed in Table 1-1.

Table 1-1 Directories

Directory Name	Contents
\admin	Configuration files
\demo\procob2	Sample programs for Pro*COBOL release 9.2.0
\demo\procob	Sample programs for Pro*COBOL release 1.8.77
\demo\sql	SQL scripts for sample programs
\doc\procob2	Readme files for Pro*COBOL 9.2.0
\doc\procob	Readme files for Pro*COBOL 1.8.77
\lib	Library files
\mesg	Message files
\public	Header files

Header Files

The ORACLE_BASE\ORACLE_HOME\precomp\public directory contains the Pro*COBOL header files listed in Table 1-2.

Table 1-2 Header Files

Header File	Description
oraca.cob	Contains the Oracle Communications Area (ORACA), which helps you to diagnose runtime errors and to monitor your program's use of various Oracle resources.
oraca5.cob	ORACA5 is the COMP-5 version of ORACA.
sqlca.cob	Contains the SQL Communications Area (SQLCA), which helps you to diagnose runtime errors. The SQLCA is updated after every executable SQL statement.
sqlca5.cob	SQLCA5 is the COMP-5 version of SQLCA.
sqlda.cob	Contains the SQL Descriptor Area (SQLDA), which is a data structure required for programs that use dynamic SQL Method 4.
sqlda5.cob	This is the COMP-5 version of SQLDA.

Library File

The ORACLE_BASE\ORACLE_HOME \precomp\lib directory contains the library file that you use when linking Pro*COBOL applications. The library file is called orasql9.lib.

Known Problems, Restrictions, and Workarounds

1. Although all Windows operating systems allow spaces in filenames and directory names, the Oracle Pro*C/C++ and Oracle Pro*COBOL precompilers will not precompile files that include spaces in the file name or directory name. For example, do not use the following formats:
   
   
   • proc iname=test one.pc
     
     
   • proc iname=d:\dir1\second dir\sample1.pc
2. Users running PROCOB application that are not linked using /LITLINK option and failing at runtime with the error,
   
   

   Load error: file 'ORASQL8'
   
   

   need to copy orasql9.dll to orasql8.dll in the same directory where orasql9.dll exists.