Short answer: yes. It is just a later version with bug fixes and new features.
But, as always, the details are devilish. As another wisely posted, the COBOL migration guide is your friend. The vast majority of programs should compile and run just fine with no detectible behavioral changes. But there seems to always be a small subset where the programmer exploited a bug or somehow made his/her code sensitive to expanded functionality. One example could be enhanced file return codes. The sad truth is that programmers are quick to blame a new compiler for their bugs. And the political issues can get ugly quick. One possible solution is to make the new compiler the default, but have the old compiler handy for as long as management is willing to pay for the license. You can run any version of the compiler you want so long as you use only the latest LE runtimes. You can mix compiler versions but never LE versions. HTH and good luck -----Original Message----- From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mueller, David Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 11:00 AM To: IBM-MAIN@BAMA.UA.EDU Subject: COBOL compiler versions We are in the transition from z/OS-1.6 to z/OS-1.8 (I know we are behind). This also involves a transition from IGY.SIGYCOMP having the "PP 5648-A25 IBM COBOL for OS/390 & VM 2.2.1" compiler to it having the "PP 5655-G53 IBM Enterprise COBOL for z/OS 3.4.1" compiler. Are "COBOL for OS/390" and "COBOL for z/OS" essentially different versions of the same compiler (the same language standards level)? Or are they fundamentally different compilers (as "COBOL for OS/390" was fundamentally different from "VS-COBOL-II")? David Mueller | Systems Programmer SSRC (Southwood Shared Resource Center) 2585 Shumard Oak Blvd, Suite 107 / Room 110 Phone: 850-414-9134 || Fax: 850-921-8343 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] NOTICE: This electronic mail message and any files transmitted with it are intended exclusively for the individual or entity to which it is addressed. The message, together with any attachment, may contain confidential and/or privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, printing, saving, copying, disclosure or distribution is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please immediately advise the sender by reply email and delete all copies. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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
