Did some research and writing some sample programs to do more advanced screen I/O processing. Have done very basic Display/Accept. Need to learn to use the Screen Section for more advanced screen handling. In general my gnuCOBOL programs basically use the old IBM COBOL, I learned many years ago and don’t take advantage of the abilities of modern commercial COBOL compilers. Which according to my research…gnuCOBOL implements a substantial portion of COBOL 85, supports many of the advances and clarifications of COBOL 2002, and includes many extensions in common use from Micro Focus COBOL, ACUCOBOL and other existent compilers.
This is especially true since, IBM COBOL uses CICS (which I haven’t used in many many years) for screen I/O…to the best of my knowledge. Also CICS isn’t available for legal use in MVS COBOL running under Hercules. There is something called KICKS which is an enhancement for CMS & TSO on IBM mainframes (or emulators) that supposedly is CICS like. But I’d rather learn something that perhaps an actual company would use.
Made good progress today. Found useful program after you comb through 380 lines. From this I created more basic 70 line program that is easier to digest and build from. I like to learn the basics with simple examples. You know I don’t wany to start with the Sistine Chapel when learning to paint.