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Chapter 2: If You're Using...

This chapter goes through the features you might be using in your existing Micro Focus COBOL system and describes what changes are needed to use the nearest equivalent in NetExpress.

For a development tool, this chapter tells you how it has changed or what to use instead. For a run-time feature that you might be using in an existing application, this chapter tells you what changes you need to make if you want to be able to compile and run the application with NetExpress.

Areas covered in their own chapters are not mentioned in this chapter.

2.1 Excluded Components

Several complete categories of components that are in Object COBOL and Workbench have been omitted from NetExpress:

Components thus excluded are:

The above components don't have entries in this chapter unless there is some specific remark to be made.

2.2 Future Screen-handling Applications

The entries in this chapter generally recommend what to use for future applications. However, we will make one such statement here, rather than repeating it throughout the chapter: for future Web and intranet applications, we recommend Form Designer; for future Windows-style GUI applications, we recommend Dialog System.

2.3 Description of Features

Features are listed alphabetically. If a feature isn't mentioned, we believe no change is needed. Subheadings used in each entry are:

2.3.1 List of Features


2.3.1.1 Advanced Organizer

The software that creates the Workbench desktop, which is the top-level window or development environment, of Workbench.

Available in:

Workbench V4.0.

NetExpress:

Not available.

Migration:

You cannot use use a Workbench project in NetExpress. You need to create a NetExpress project from scratch.

Use in future:

The development environment of NetExpress is called the Integrated Development Environment (IDE). In it you can edit, animate, check, and create projects. There is no desktop and you do not create icons. You get into the IDE from your Windows 95 or Windows NT Start menu. The development tools are on the pulldown menus of the IDE.

Also, from the Start menu you can start a command line session with the NetExpress environment set up. Some development tools can also be run here by entering commands at the prompt.


2.3.1.2 Animation

Facilities for source-level debugger.

Available in:

Object COBOL V3.4, Workbench V3.4, Object COBOL V4.0, Workbench V4.0, Visual Object COBOL V1.0.

NetExpress:

Built into the IDE. In some earlier products the GUI version is called Animator V2, and the character version is called Animator. The IDE includes all significant features of the GUI version. They are mainly on the Animate menu.

One minor difference will affect you if compiling a program from the NetExpress Command Prompt. In NetExpress, the ANIM directive does not by itself cause a .int file to be created. To get an .int file you must also specify the NOGNT directive. If compiling within the IDE (the normal method) this will not affect you as the files created are defined by the build type you select.


2.3.1.3 Application Configuration System (Mfconfig)

Utility to make entries in a configuration file controlling the run-time properties of an application's character-mode display, for example color. Can also be called from an application, to change properties at run-time.

Available in:

Object COBOL V3.4, Workbench V3.4, Object COBOL V4.0, Workbench V4.0.

NetExpress:

Not available.

Migration:

If your application does not call Mfconfig, but simply uses a configuration (.cfg) file created by Mfconfig, no change is needed. NetExpress supports .cfg files for backward compatibility. If you need to update the .cfg file, you can edit it using the IDE or any text editor. Its format is in the Programmer's Guide to Writing Programs that came with your Object COBOL or Workbench.

If your application calls Mfconfig, you will have to remove the call and redesign your application so that it does not change its display properties at run time. NetExpress does not support the changing of display properties at run time for character-mode displays.


2.3.1.4 Build

Utility to create a trigger program to start an application consisting of .lbr library files. Both character and graphical versions exist.

Available in:

Object COBOL V3.4, Workbench V3.4, Object COBOL V4.0, Workbench V4.0.

NetExpress:

Not available.

Details:

In the earlier COBOL systems, you can distribute an application as .int or .gnt files, possibly packaged in .lbr files. You include a small .exe file, called a trigger, to start the application. You use the Build utility to create this, and packaging an application in this way is called building. Alternatively, you can compile to .obj files and then link these into .dll and .exe files to distribute.

In NetExpress, you distribute applications linked into .exe and .dll files. .int and .gnt files are only for running within the IDE for debugging. Options in your project for the application specify whether you are creating .int files, .gnt files, or .obj files linked into .dll and .exe files. You can create .lbr files, but these are intended only to contain data files.

In NetExpress, the term "build" is used differently than in the earlier systems. Instead of meaning packaging an application in .lbr files as opposed to linking it into .dll and .exe files, it is used to mean the whole process of creating a distributable product from your source files, including compiling and linking.

Migration:

Package it as .dll and .exe files. This is very easy using the application's project, as the default options for projects cause it to be done this way.

Alternatively, you could write a trigger program yourself, calling the main .int or .gnt file explicitly. You would link just the trigger program as a .exe file.

Use in future:

Use projects to create your applications.


2.3.1.5 Call Name Resolution (Mfentmap)

Utility to create a map file to enable entry points to be found at run time.

Available in:

Object COBOL V4.0, Workbench V4.0, Object COBOL V4.0, Workbench V4.0.

NetExpress:

Not available.

Migration:

This facility makes entry points in a .gnt or .lbr file visible, so they can be found when you are animating the application. Instead, you can make them visible by calling the file before any entry point in it is referenced. In a linked application, which is what you normally create in NetExpress for production running, the problem does not arise because references are resolved at link time.


2.3.1.6 Cbllink

Command-line utility to link an application.

Available in:

Object COBOL V4.0, Workbench V4.0.

NetExpress:

Unchanged, but unlikely to be used directly.

Use in future:

Linking is normally done in NetExpress via projects, which automate most of the process and call Cbllink for you. Alternatively, you can call Cbllink from the NetExpress command line using the cbllink command.


2.3.1.7 Class Browser

Tool for viewing and editing object-oriented COBOL programs and class libraries.

Available in:

Object COBOL V3.4, Workbench V3.4, Object COBOL V4.0, Workbench V4.0, Visual Object COBOL V1.0.

NetExpress:

The Browse function is as in Visual Object COBOL V1.0.

Use in future:

Use Browse on the Search menu in the IDE. It is the same class browser as in Visual Object COBOL V1.0. It is similar to the one in Object COBOL and Workbench, but with an improved interface.


2.3.1.8 Class Library

A library of predefined classes which you can use in your object-oriented applications.

Available in:

Object COBOL V3.4, Workbench V3.4, Object COBOL V4.0, Workbench V4.0, Visual Object COBOL V1.0.

NetExpress:

Enhanced. The Class Library in NetExpress has three parts: the Base Class Library, the GUI Class Library, and the OLE Class Library. All classes in Visual Object COBOL are included with no incompatible changes. Some classes have incompatible changes from Object COBOL and Workbench.

Migration:

To migrate from Visual Object COBOL, no change is needed. To migrate from Object COBOL or Workbench, see the list of incompatible changes in the chapter Class Library.


2.3.1.9 Cob

Command-line utility to link an application.

Available in:

Object COBOL V3.4, Workbench V3.4.

NetExpress:

Replaced by Cbllink; but this is unlikely to be used directly.

Use in future:

Linking is normally done in NetExpress via projects, which automate most of the process and call Cbllink for you. Alternatively, you can call Cbllink from the NetExpress command line using the cbllink command.


2.3.1.10 COBOL System Library Routines

A library of routines which you can call from your applications.

Available in:

Object COBOL V3.4, Workbench V3.4, Object COBOL V4.0, Workbench V4.0, Visual Object COBOL V1.0.

NetExpress:

Included. All routines in Visual Object COBOL are included with no incompatible changes. Some routines that are in Object COBOL and Workbench are not included.

Migration:

To migrate from Visual Object COBOL, no change is needed. To migrate from Object COBOL or Workbench, see the list of incompatible changes in the chapter COBOL Library System Routines.


2.3.1.11 COBSQL

An interface between Micro Focus COBOL and certain database precompilers. For a program with embedded SQL statements, it enables you to debug the original source.

Available in:

Object COBOL V3.4, Workbench V3.4, Object COBOL V4.0, Workbench V4.0.

NetExpress:

Included in NetExpress 2.0 onward for backward compatibility and for applications for UNIX. Unlike in the earlier products, it supports only Oracle Pro*COBOL Version 1.8 and Sybase Open Client Embedded SQL/COBOL Version 11.1. It was not available in NetExpress 1.0.

Migration:

Use COBSQL if your application developed with an earlier Micro Focus COBOL product already uses either of the two supported precompilers, or if you are creating an application that will be deployed on UNIX platforms and needs to access either Oracle or Sybase relational databases.

For any other type of embedded SQL application development, we recommend that you use OpenESQL. OpenESQL enables you to quickly and easily develop applications which can access ODBC data sources using embedded SQL.


2.3.1.12 Common Communications Interface (CCI)

Library of routines for communication between applications, using particular protocols.

Available in:

Object COBOL V3.4, Workbench V3.4, Object COBOL V4.0, Workbench V4.0, Visual Object COBOL V1.0. In Object COBOL V4.0, Workbench V4.0, and Visual Object COBOL V1.0, only the protocols TCP/IP and Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) are supported.

NetExpress:

Included with few changes (see Details below), but the interface is not documented and a higher-level interface called Client/Server Bindings is provided. CCI is used by Fileshare.

Details:

NetExpress provides the NetBEUI, TCP/IP, DDE and Novell IPX protocols. The other protocols (Named Pipes and Named Pipes on UNIX) are not supported.

In NetExpress you can configure the timeout period dynamically. In the earlier products, applications coded using the CCI-TIMEOUT verb default to a timeout period of 120 seconds for all subsequent CCI verbs. In NetExpress, the CCI-TIMEOUT verb accepts the value passed to it.

CCITCP2 can be run as an NT service. Use the -i option to install it to run as a service (you must be logged on as a user with Administrator privilege). If a debug console is required, use the -c option instead. To uninstall, use the -u option. Use -? to list the available options. Once CCITCP2 is installed as a service you can use the usual NT service GUI (started from the Windows Control Panel) to monitor and control its behavior.

If CCITCP2 is installed as an NT service, it will be started automatically when the NT system is restarted. If you have added CCITCP2 Server to the Startup group on your Start menu, you should remove it and run it only when needed. Otherwise Windows NT will try to start a second instance of CCITCP2.

Migration:

If your application uses NetBEUI, TCP/IP, DDE or IPX, no change is needed (but see the chapter Migrating from 16-bit).

Use in future:

We recommend you use Client/Server Bindings.


2.3.1.13 Communications Module (MCS)

COBOL syntax for sending messages between programs.

Available in:

Object COBOL V3.4, Workbench V3.4, Object COBOL V4.0, Workbench V4.0.

NetExpress:

Not available.

Migration:

Replace your Communications syntax by calls to Client/Server Bindings. It is a set of routines for communication between applications (similar to CCI, but higher level).

Use in future:

We recommend you use Client/Server Bindings.


2.3.1.14 Compiler

Development tool for checking syntax and converting it to a runnable format.

Available in:

Object COBOL V3.4, Workbench V3.4, Object COBOL V4.0, Workbench V4.0, Visual Object COBOL.

NetExpress:

Included unchanged. However, compiling is normally done in NetExpress via projects, which automate most of the process and call the compiler for you. The compiler has not changed, but many details of its behavior can be set using directives. The default settings of some of these may have changed - see the chapter Directives.

Use in future:

Use projects to create your applications.

You can also run the compiler via the Compile Program function which is on the Project menu and the toolbar in the IDE.

Alternatively, you can call the compiler from the NetExpress command line using the cobol command.


2.3.1.15 Compiler Options Selection Aid

Utility to provide a graphical interface for setting compiler directives.

Available in:

Workbench V3.4, Workbench V4.0.

NetExpress:

Not available.

Use in future:

If you right-click on a .cbl file in a project window in NetExpress, a popup menu appears. On this menu, the Project Properties function brings up a dialog box where you can specify directives for every compilation in the project. The Build Settings function brings up a dialog box where you can specify directives for compiling an individual .cbl file.


2.3.1.16 Co-Writer

Application generator for creating applications to process and query COBOL data files and produce reports.

Available in:

Object COBOL V3.4, Workbench V3.4, Object COBOL V4.0, Workbench V4.0.

NetExpress:

Not available.

Migration:

An application produced using Co-Writer is self-contained, and cannot be updated except through Co-Writer. Therefore it should not be migrated to NetExpress.


2.3.1.17 Concurrency Support

Environment for running COBOL programs concurrently in the same process. (Don't confuse this with the COBOL system library routines for concurrency, such as cbl_create_run_unit.)

Available in:

Object COBOL V3.4, Workbench V3.4.

NetExpress:

Not available.

Migration:

You will have to redesign your application so that it does not use concurrency.

Use in future:

Recode your application to use multithreading.


2.3.1.18 Concurrent Workbench

Facility to run several development functions simultaneously.

Available in:

Workbench V3.4.

NetExpress:

Not available.

Use in future:

Using multiple windows in the IDE enables you to run many functions simultaneously. However, you cannot compile and debug simultaneously.


2.3.1.19 Directory Facility (Mfdir and Mfdir2)

Program providing graphical facilities for listing directories and loading and saving files. Can be called from an application. The character version is called Directory Facility and the graphical version is called Directory Facility Version 2.

Available in:

Object COBOL V3.4, Workbench V3.4, Object COBOL V4.0, Workbench V4.0.

NetExpress:

Not available.

Migration:

Use the FileOpen and FileSave common dialog boxes provided by Windows 95 and Windows NT. (See the Win32API demo in NetExpress for an example.)


2.3.1.20 External File Mapper (Mfextmap)

Run-time support for mapping logical filenames to physical ones, and for reading and writing environment variables from a COBOL program.

Available in:

Object COBOL V3.4, Workbench V3.4, Object COBOL V4.0, Workbench V4.0.

NetExpress:

Included unchanged for backward compatibility. Not documented.

Migration:

No change is needed.


2.3.1.21 File Comparison Utility (Diff)

Character-mode utility for finding the differences between two files. Both character and graphical versions exist.

Available in:

Workbench V3.4, Workbench V4.0.

NetExpress:

Not available.

Use in future:

Microsoft's Win32 Software Development Kit, included with NetExpress, provides WinDiff.


2.3.1.22 File Finder (Mffinder)

Utility to search multiple directories for a specified file or files.

Available in:

Workbench V3.4, Workbench V4.0.

NetExpress:

Not available.

Use in future:

The dir command in Windows 95 and Windows NT V4.0 provides all the facilities that Mffinder does (use dir /s to search subdirectories), except that it does not look inside .lbr files. There is no facility for this, but .lbr files are not used much in NetExpress.


2.3.1.23 Forms

Character-mode screen painter for creating character-mode screen displays.

Available in:

Object COBOL V3.4, Workbench V3.4, Object COBOL V4.0, Workbench V4.0.

NetExpress:

Not available.

Migration:

No change is needed. If you need to update the screen-handling code generated by Forms, you can edit it yourself. It is standard COBOL, included in the Data Division.


2.3.1.24 Header-to-Copy (H2cpy)

Utility to convert a C header file into a COBOL copyfile.

Available in:

Object COBOL V3.4, Workbench V3.4, Object COBOL V4.0, Workbench V4.0.

NetExpress:

Included unchanged. To continue using it, call it from the NetExpress command line, using the h2cpy command.


2.3.1.25 Hexedit

Utility to list and edit files, in hexadecimal.

Available in:

Workbench V3.4, Workbench V4.0.

NetExpress:

Not available.

Use in future:

No equivalent facility is provided.


2.3.1.26 Library

Utility to package files in a .lbr file.

Available in:

Object COBOL V3.4, Workbench V3.4, Object COBOL V4.0, Workbench V4.0, Visual Object COBOL V1.0.

NetExpress:

Not available.

Migration:

See the entry for Build.


2.3.1.27 Memsnap

Utility for monitoring your application's memory usage.

Available in:

Workbench V3.4.

NetExpress:

Not available.

Use in future:

Windows 95 and Windows NT V4.0 provide various utilities which you can use for monitoring memory. Microsoft's Win32 Software Development Kit, included with NetExpress, provides Pview95. There is no way of obtaining more COBOL-specific information.


2.3.1.28 MFSCCS

Interface to third party source control system from some Workbench tools.

Available in:

Workbench V3.4.

NetExpress:

Not available.

Migration:

Make source all source files are on your local machine before beginning a build.


2.3.1.29 Object-oriented COBOL

Syntax to enable you to write according to object-oriented methodology.

Available in:

Object COBOL V3.4, Workbench V3.4, Object COBOL V4.0, Workbench V4.0, Visual Object COBOL V1.0.

NetExpress:

Included with minor changes:

Migration:

Object-oriented programs produced using the earlier products need to be recompiled before you can run them on NetExpress.


2.3.1.30 Organizer

The software that creates the Workbench desktop, which is the top-level window or development environment, of Workbench.

Available in:

Workbench V3.4

NetExpress:

Not available.

Use in future:

See the entry for Advanced Organizer.


2.3.1.31 Panels

Library of routines for creating and manipulating character-mode screen displays.

Available in:

Object COBOL V3.4, Workbench V3.4, Object COBOL V4.0, Workbench V4.0.

NetExpress:

Included unchanged for backward compatibility. It is documented in the backward compatibility help, as it is not recommended for new applications.

Migration:

No change is needed.


2.3.1.32 Panels Version 2 Emulation Mode

Run-time layer to interface Panels V2 to a character-mode screen, imitating graphical objects by constructing similar shapes from character-mode symbols.

Available in:

Object COBOL V3.4, Workbench V3.4, Object COBOL V4.0, Workbench V4.0.

NetExpress:

Not available.

Migration:

Use Panels V2 instead. The interface is the same. In your initialization call, just set the flag for GUI instead of character.


2.3.1.33 Probe

Utility for monitoring your application's memory usage.

Available in:

Workbench V3.4.

NetExpress:

Not available.

Use in future:

Windows 95 and Windows NT V4.0 provide various utilities which you can use for monitoring memory. Microsoft's Win32 Software Development Kit, included with NetExpress, provides Pview95. There is no way of obtaining more COBOL-specific information.


2.3.1.34 Projects (in Visual Object COBOL)

Facility to guide the compiling and linking of an application.

Available in:

Visual Object COBOL V1.0

NetExpress:

Enhanced.

Migration:

No change is needed.You can use your Visual Object COBOL projects in NetExpress.


2.3.1.35 Projects (in Workbench)

Facility to guide the compiling and linking of an application.

Available in:

Workbench V3.4, Workbench V4.0.

NetExpress:

Projects are central to NetExpress, but they are different from Workbench projects.

Migration:

Create a NetExpress project.


2.3.1.36 Run-time Tunables

Facility to set run-time options.

Available in:

Object COBOL V3.4, Workbench V3.4, Object COBOL V4.0, Workbench V4.0.

NetExpress:

The standard set of run-time options that can be configured in NetExpress are those available in the IDE. For other options you may have been using, the appropriate tunables are included for backward compatibility. See Run-time Tunables in the index of the Help.

Migration:

Where possible, set run-time options via the IDE - click Properties on hte Project menu, then click Application. Otherwise continue to use run-time tunables as before.

Use in future:

Set run-time options via the IDE.


2.3.1.37 SCMF

Utility controlling central storage of source code, providing locking and version control so that successive revisions can be reconstructed.

Available in:

Workbench V3.4.

NetExpress:

Not available. NetExpress includes PVCS to provide source code control.


2.3.1.38 Screens

Character-mode screen painter for creating character-mode screen displays.

Available in:

Object COBOL V3.4, Workbench V3.4, Object COBOL V4.0, Workbench V4.0.

NetExpress:

Not available.

Migration:

No change is needed. If you need to update the screen-handling code generated by Screens, you can edit it yourself. It is standard COBOL, included in the Screen Section.


2.3.1.39 Setup (character)

Utility to install an application.

Available in:

Object COBOL V3.4, Workbench V3.4, Object COBOL V4.0, Workbench V4.0.

NetExpress:

Not available. This character-mode Setup is the utility used to install the earlier products. It is script-driven, and you can also distribute it with a script to install your own application. NetExpress is installed using a new graphical Setup, which you cannot distribute with your own applications.

Migration:

Tools for creating graphical installation utilities are available from several companies, for example InstallShield Corporation.


2.3.1.40 Sort Utility

Utility to sort a file.

Available in:

Object COBOL V3.4, Workbench V3.4, Object COBOL V4.0, Workbench V4.0.

NetExpress:

Included unchanged. It is not documented, as Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT 4.0 provide a similar facility.

To continue using it, call it from the NetExpress command line, using the mfsort command. Use the documentation from your earlier product.

Use in future:

The sort command in Windows 95 and Windows NT V4.0 provides similar facilities to Mfsort, though it does not take note of the different COBOL datatypes in its keys and of different filetypes.


2.3.1.41 Windowing Support (text-based)

COBOL syntax to create on-screen boxes using text characters.

Available in:

Object COBOL V3.4, Workbench V3.4, Object COBOL V4.0, Workbench V4.0, Visual Object COBOL V1.0.

NetExpress:

Included unchanged for backward compatibility. It is documented in the backward compatibility help, as it is not recommended for new applications.

Migration:

No change is needed.


2.3.1.42 XM

Utility to run DOS applications in >640kb of memory.

Available in:

Object COBOL V3.4, Workbench V3.4.

NetExpress:

Not available.

Use in future:

No equivalent. Only applicable on DOS.


Copyright © 1998 Micro Focus Limited. All rights reserved.
This document and the proprietary marks and names used herein are protected by international law.
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