Clark Morris writes: >So will you be able to compile COBOL programs that can run in 64 bit >mode inside of Websphere? Can they interoperate with JAVA and will >they finally recognize IEEE floating point so that NO conversions are >needed to work with JAVA.
Really good questions. All I know at this point is that IBM provided a "technology preview" (starting a couple years ago) describing how you could compile COBOL in such a way as to run as EJBs inside WebSphere Application Server for z/OS. You had to follow certain rules (thread-safe, extreme care in how to do I/O, etc.), but it's an intriguing technology. Before anyone asks, no, I don't have the reference for this technology. IBM may be hiding the information now -- it's not popping up in my searches of the IBM Internet Web sites. Talk with your friendly local WebSphere and/or mainframe specialist about it. Just because it's possible doesn't mean it's necessarily a good idea, especially post-zAAP. As you might know, here's what IBM is officially saying about 64-bit COBOL: - - - - - http://www-03.ibm.com/servers/eserver/zseries/zos/installation/zos_cobol_faqs.html Question: Will there be a version of COBOL and/or the BINDER that will create 64-bit COBOL load modules to run under z/OS? Answer: We have no plans for 64-bit addressing support in COBOL. The BINDER already supports 64-bit assembler programs and will support 64-bit C/C++ programs in the future. We have not heard of any customers requiring 64-bit addressing in COBOL programs. If you have a need for that, please send your requirements to us with details about why 31-bit addressing is not enough. Please use the Contact z/OS link below. - - - - - Now, is this a problem (with respect to the COBOL EJB technology preview)? I don't know, but it's interesting that we'll have both 31-bit and 64-bit Java support in the same WebSphere Application Server release. I was thinking in terms of how it'd be useful for smooth Java migration (especially for ultra-cautious customers), but COBOL interoperability (with COBOL EJBs) might be another such area. If you're working with the COBOL EJB technology then I would check with your IBM contact on that to see what he/she says. I guess we'll all find out more as the 64-bit delivery gets closer how this all fits together in the various mixed-mode permutations. It's a little early for me yet. My educated guess is that it will be very flexible. With respect to the IEEE floating point question, obviously the current situation functions just fine, but I think you're referring to a question of overhead and efficiency (which I get the impression is good, but engineers always look for better). I believe the official line on this is, "We understand." For slightly less official information I'd recommend SHARE forums, possibly combined with alcohol. :-) - - - - - Timothy F. Sipples Consulting Enterprise Software Architect, z9/zSeries IBM Japan, Ltd. E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
