COBOL/Building and Running a Native IDE
< COBOL
If you wish to use an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that runs on your computer rather than the simpler but more limited web-based systems follow the instructions given here. Although this is more difficult than using the web-based system, it is more flexible, more extensive, and better represents production systems.
Source code must be compiled before it can be run. Several COBOL compilers are available; this course will use GnuCOBOL in the examples.
Assignment
[edit | edit source]Download and install the GnuCOBOL system and use it to compile and execute the Hello World program by following these steps.
- Download GnuCOBOL from: https://sourceforge.net/projects/open-cobol/
- For Windows 10, it may be easiest to use the link at: https://launchpad.net/cobcide/4.0/4.7.6/+download/OpenCobolIDE-4.7.6_Setup.exe
- Install OpenCobolIDE and run it.
- Cut and paste the Hello World source code into the editor window. (The editor window may already contain a similar program. You can use that, adapt that, or overwrite it.)
- Save the program (File / Save As) to your computer as file type .cbl
- Ensure the file name does not include any spaces. For example it is acceptable to name the program HelloWorld.cbl or Hello_World.cbl but Hello World.cbl will not work. This is essential because the system treats spaces in the program name as representing a new parameter.
- Ensure the “Executable” option is selected under the hammer symbol in the toolbar.
- Use the Circular arrows symbol to build the executable. Note the “compiler” tab in the logs section of the IDE should indicate the build is up-to-date. The issues tab should not be identifying any problems.
- Use the green arrow symbol to run (execute) the program. Inspect the Output tab in the Logs section. It should contain the “Hello world” string; the intended output of the program.
- Note that this IDE is column-sensitive. Read and follow the column significance information. This often requires adding six or seven spaces to the start of each program line before it can be complied in this environment.