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Net Express includes a number of SQL preprocessors (OpenESQL, the DB2 ECM and COBSQL) which enable you to access relational databases by embedding SQL statements within your COBOL program:
The OpenESQL preprocessor enables you to access a relational database via an ODBC driver by embedding SQL statements within your COBOL program.
The DB2 External Checker Module (ECM) is a new type of integrated preprocessor provided with Net Express and designed to work closely with the Micro Focus COBOL Compiler. The DB2 ECM converts embedded SQL statements into the appropriate calls to DB2 database services. It is intended for use with:
COBSQL is an integrated preprocessor designed to work with COBOL precompilers supplied by relational database vendors. It is intended for use with:
If you are already using either of the above precompilers with an earlier version of a Micro Focus COBOL product and want to migrate your application to Net Express, you should use COBSQL. For any other type of embedded SQL development, we recommend that you use OpenESQL.
Notes:
Each of the preprocessors works by taking the SQL statements that you have embedded in your COBOL program and converting them to the appropriate function calls to the database.
Within your COBOL program, each embedded SQL statement must be preceded by the introductory keywords:
EXEC SQL
and followed by the keyword:
END-EXEC
For example:
EXEC SQL
SELECT au_lname INTO :lastname FROM authors
WHERE au_id = '124-59-3864'
END-EXEC
The embedded SQL statement can be broken over as many lines as necessary following the normal COBOL rules for continuation, but between the EXEC SQL and END-EXEC keywords you can only code an embedded SQL statement, you cannot include any ordinary COBOL code.
Most vendors provide SQL Reference documentation with their database software which will include full information about embedded SQL statements but you should, for example, be able to perform the following typical operations using the statements shown:
| Operation |
SQL Statement(s) |
|---|---|
| Add data to a table | INSERT |
| Change data in a table | UPDATE |
| Retrieve a row of data from a table | SELECT |
| Create a named cursor | DECLARE CURSOR |
| Retrieve multiple rows of data using a cursor | OPEN, FETCH, CLOSE |
With the exception of INSERT, DELETE(SEARCHED) and UPDATE(SEARCHED) which are included for your convenience, the embedded SQL statements described here work somewhat differently, or are in addition to, standard SQL statements.
A full syntax description is given in the online help for each of the embedded SQL statements below, together with an example of its use.
| Statement |
Description |
|---|---|
| BEGIN DECLARE SECTION | Marks the beginning of a host variable declaration section |
| BEGIN TRANSACTION3 | Opens a transaction in AUTOCOMMIT mode |
| CALL3 | Executes a stored procedure |
| CLOSE | Ends row-at-a-time data retrieval initiated by the OPEN statement |
| COMMIT | Commits a transaction |
| CONNECT | Connects to a database |
| DECLARE CURSOR | Defines a cursor for row-at-a-time data retrieval |
| DECLARE DATABASE | Identifies a database |
| DELETE (POSITIONED)1 | Removes the row where the cursor is currently positioned |
| DELETE (SEARCHED) | Removes table rows that meet the search criteria |
| DESCRIBE | Populates an SQLDA data structure |
| DISCONNECT2 | Closes connections to one or all databases |
| END DECLARE SECTION | Marks the end of a host variable declaration section |
| EXECSP3 | Executes a stored procedure |
| EXECUTE | Runs a prepared SQL statement |
| EXECUTE IMMEDIATE | Runs the SQL statement contained in the specified host variable |
| FETCH | For a specified cursor, gets the next row from the results set |
| INCLUDE | Defines a specific SQL data structure for use by an application |
| INSERT | Adds data to a table or view |
| OPEN | Begins row-at-a-time data retrieval for a specified cursor |
| PREPARE | Associates an SQL statement with a name |
| QUERY ODBC3 | Queries the ODBC data dictionary |
| ROLLBACK | Rolls back the current transaction |
| SELECT DISTINCT | Associates a cursor name with an SQL statement |
| SELECT INTO1 | Retrieves one row of results (also known as a singleton select) |
| SET AUTOCOMMIT3 | Controls AUTOCOMMIT mode |
| SET CONCURRENCY3 | Sets the concurrency option for standard-mode cursors |
| SET CONNECTION3 | Specifies which database connection to use for subsequent SQL statements |
| SET OPTION3 | Assigns values for query-processing options |
| SET SCROLLOPTION3 | Sets the scrolling technique and row membership for standard-mode cursors |
| SET TRANSACTION ISOLATION3 | Sets the transaction isolation level mode for a connection |
| UPDATE (POSITIONED)1 | Changes data in the row where the cursor is currently positioned |
| UPDATE (SEARCHED) | Changes data in existing rows, either by adding new data or by modifying existing data |
| WHENEVER | Specifies the default action (CONTINUE, GOTO or PERFORM) to be taken after a SQL statement is run |
Notes:
The case of embedded SQL keywords in your programs is ignored, for example:
EXEC SQL CONNECT exec sql connect Exec Sql Connectare all equivalent.
The case of cursor names, statement names and connection names must match that used when the variable is declared. For example, if you declare a cursor as C1, you must always refer to it a C1 (and not as c1).
The settings for the particular database determine whether other words, such as table and column names, are case-sensitive.
Hyphens are not permitted in SQL identifiers (in table and column names, for example).
Net Express includes an OpenESQL Assistant. You can use this interactive tool to:
For further information, refer to the chapter OpenESQL.
Once you have written your COBOL application containing embedded SQL, you must compile it specifying the appropriate Compiler directive such that the preprocessor converts the embedded SQL statements into function calls to the database:
Specify the SQL Compiler directive. See the chapter OpenESQL for details.
Specify the DB2 Compiler directive. See the chapter DB2 for details.
Specify the PREPROCESS"COBSQL" Compiler directive. See the chapter COBSQL for details.
Net Express includes an Internet Application Wizard. Use this wizard to generate complete Web applications that access a relational database. You can create a working SQL application within minutes.
For further information, refer to the on-line book Internet Applications.
Multiple embedded SQL source files, compiled separately and linked to a single executable file, can share the same database connection at run time. This is also true for programs that are compiled into separate dynamic-link libraries (.dll files). If subsequent program modules (in the same process) do not process a CONNECT statement, they share the same database connection with the module that included the CONNECT statement.
The table below gives guidelines on how to use multiple program modules with the different SQL preprocessors:
| SQL preprocessors |
Guidelines |
|---|---|
| OpenESQL | In a program that includes multiple, separately compiled modules, you should compile only one module with the INIT option of the SQL Compiler directive. All other modules within the program should share that first automatic connection or make explicit connections using the CONNECT statement. |
| OpenESQL,
DB2 |
Statement names are local to a particular program module (compilation unit). This means that a statement cannot be prepared in one module and executed in another. |
| OpenESQL,
DB2 |
Cursor names should be unique within an application |
| COBSQL | If you specify the INIT directive more than once, Net Express ignores second and subsequent uses |
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