Executable File Types

You can create five different types of executable file:

Callable shared objects are executable files in an operating system format that are dynamically loaded by the COBOL run-time system provided with Visual COBOL. For information on using these files, see Packaging Applications Using Callable File Formats.

Intermediate code files and generated code files are proprietary executable files that are dynamically loaded by the COBOL run-time system provided with Visual COBOL. For information on using these files, see Packaging Applications Using Callable File Formats.

Shared libraries are system linkable files that can be linked into executable files.

System executable files are files compiled and linked to create executable files in operating system formats.

For information on compiling programs, see Using the Compiler. For information on callable shared objects, see Callable Shared Objects. For information on linking programs, see Linking to System Executables.

The executable file types are described in more detail in the following sections.

Whichever file formats you use, you will need to ship COBOL Server with your application.