1 Introducing Pro*COBOL

This chapter describes the Oracle programmatic interface for the COBOL language running on Windows operating systems.

This chapter contains these topics:

What is Pro*COBOL?
Release 1.8.77
Supported Compilers
Features
Restrictions
Directory Structure

See Also:
Pro*COBOL Programmer's Guide for more information

What is Pro*COBOL?

To access an Oracle database, you use a high-level query language called Structured Query Language (SQL). You often use SQL through an interactive interface, such as SQL*Plus.

Pro*COBOL is a programming tool that enables you to embed SQL statements in a COBOL program. The Pro*COBOL precompiler converts the SQL statements in the COBOL program into standard Oracle run-time library calls. The generated output file can then be compiled, linked, and run in the usual manner.

Use the Pro*COBOL precompiler when rapid development and compatibility with other systems are your priorities.

Release 1.8.77

Oracle Corporation expects that any application written for Pro*COBOL release 1.8.x should precompile successfully with Pro*COBOL release 9.2.0. However, some vendor extensions may not be accepted and the application may not precompile successfully when migrating from release 1.8.x to release 9.2.0.

Note:

Pro*COBOL Precompiler for Windows release 1.8.77 is now automatically installed with the Programmer installation type of the Oracle9i Client top-level component. You do not need to use the Custom installation type of the Oracle9i Client top-level component.

If you simply want to migrate a release 1.8.x application to release 9.2.0 without using any of the new features of Pro*COBOL release 9.2.0, but the application does not precompile successfully, then report the problem to Oracle Support Services.

Note:

Oracle Corporation recommends that you use release 9.2.0 to develop new applications.

Supported Compilers

Pro*COBOL supports the MERANT Micro Focus NetExpress version 3.1 for 32-bit Windows NT, Windows 2000, and Windows 98.

Note:

Pro*COBOL does not support Object Oriented COBOL (OOCOBOL) specifications.

Features

Pro*COBOL supports the following:

Oracle databases release 8.1.x and higher
Embedded PL/SQL blocks
Bundled database calls, which can provide better performance in client/server environments
Full ANSI compliance for embedded SQL programming
Calls to PL/SQL stored procedures

Restrictions

Pro*COBOL does not support the following:

User exits
Access to the Oracle Call Interface
Oracle object types
Graphical user interface
16-bit code generation

Directory Structure

When you install Pro*COBOL, Oracle Universal Installer creates a directory called \precomp in your ORACLE_BASE\ORACLE_HOME directory.

Note:

The \precomp directory can contain files for other products, such as Pro*C/C++.

The \precomp directory contains the directories listed in Table 1-1.

Table 1-1 Directories

Directory Name	Contents
`\admin`	Configuration files
`\demo\procob2`	Sample programs for Pro*COBOL® release 9.2.0
`\demo\procob`	Sample programs for Pro*COBOL® release 1.8.77
`\demo\sql`	SQL scripts for sample programs
`\doc\procob2`	Readme files for Pro*COBOL® 9.2.0
`\doc\procob`	Readme files for Pro*COBOL® 1.8.77
`\lib`	Library files
`\mesg`	Message files
`\public`	Header files

Header Files

The ORACLE_BASE\ORACLE_HOME\precomp\public directory contains the Pro*COBOL® header files listed in Table 1-2.

Table 1-2 Header Files

Header File	Description
`oraca.cob`	Contains the Oracle Communications Area (ORACA), which helps you to diagnose runtime errors and to monitor your program's use of various Oracle resources.
`oraca5.cob`	ORACA5 is the COMP-5 version of ORACA.
`sqlca.cob`	Contains the SQL Communications Area (SQLCA), which helps you to diagnose runtime errors. The SQLCA is updated after every executable SQL statement.
`sqlca5.cob`	SQLCA5 is the COMP-5 version of SQLCA.
`sqlda.cob`	Contains the SQL Descriptor Area (SQLDA), which is a data structure required for programs that use dynamic SQL Method 4.
`sqlda5.cob`	This is the COMP-5 version of SQLDA.

Library File

The ORACLE_BASE\ORACLE_HOME \precomp\lib directory contains the library file that you use when linking Pro*COBOL applications. The library file is called orasql9.lib.

Known Problems, Restrictions, and Workarounds

Although all Windows operating systems allow spaces in filenames and directory names, the Oracle Pro*C/C++ and Oracle Pro*COBOL precompilers will not precompile files that include spaces in the file name or directory name. For example, do not use the following formats:
- proc iname=test one.pc
- proc iname=d:\dir1\second dir\sample1.pc
Users running PROCOB application that are not linked using /LITLINK option and failing at runtime with the error,
```
Load error: file 'ORASQL8'
```
need to copy orasql9.dll to orasql8.dll in the same directory where orasql9.dll exists.