These are some of the new and exciting features planned:

• ACUCOBOL-GT® Compiler now supports ANSI 2002 conditional compiling, which will enable you to maintain a single source stream but compile it differently for different run-time variations.
   
• ACUCOBOL-GT® Runtime will improve C$XML interoperability, as you will be able to access XML data in cases where you only have a pointer to the source, such as a pointer returned from some other function or obtained from a website.
   
• Vista and Windows XP visual control styles to achieve a more modern look and feel that will match the user’s preferred Windows setting.
   
• .NET improvements will include seamless error reporting messages for the LoadEntity and GetContainer functions.
   
• Acu4GL® table open improvements for DB2 and ODBC will include a new and more efficient internal API when searching and opening database tables. The larger the database, the more noticeable the performance gains become.
   
• AcuBench® report designer enhancements will include automatic generation of PERFORM loops via the property stylesheet as opposed to the COBOL file source. Reports can be entirely generated from the PSF file.
   
• AcuXUITM now supports the ACUCOBOL-GT grid control.

Participants in the TPP can test version 8.1 alongside their own software solutions before this release is generally available. Your valuable input will assist in the development of both current and future technology releases. To apply for the program please click here. All applications will be approved by the appropriate manager before evaluation units are delivered.