Program Definition tab

When you define a Program, you specify its main characteristics.

COBOL program ID
This code is the name of the file that is generated from this instance. The generated file name can then differ from the instance name.
Type of COBOL code
In this list, you select the COBOL variant for the generated program. The default value upon creation is the value of the Type of COBOL code field in the Library Definition tab.
Note: Some variants are deprecated or not supported.

COBOL target

By default, the generated COBOL files are stored with the design files in a root folder whose default name you can change. You can separate them from the design files or even change the generation project and folder.

Note: More information related to the Generation target of a Program or a Screen is available.

In a Library, the default values of the COBOL project and of the COBOL folder and Map folder (for Screens only) are the values of the current project. If the project and folders are not indicated, the default values in a Dialog are the values of the Library or current project, as applicable. In a Screen or Server, the default values are the values of the Dialog, Library or current project, as applicable.

A COBOL folder or map (for Screen) can be indicated in various entities:
  • A library: It then constitutes the default value for all the Dialogs and Screens or Servers of this Library.
  • A Dialog: It then constitutes the default value for all the Screens or Servers of this Dialog.
  • A Screen or Server; It then applies to the instance only.
COBOL project
The files that are generated from this instance will be stored in the project displayed in this field.

The project of the corresponding design file is the default project. If it has been kept, Default is displayed between parentheses next to the project. However, if it has been explicitly changed in the instance, only the project is displayed here, without any other indication. If it has been explicitly changed in the Dialog, Inherited from Dialog is then displayed between parentheses next to the project. If it has been explicitly changed in the generation Library, Inherited from Library is then displayed between parentheses next to the project. In the instance, you can overwrite the value that is inherited from the Library.

You can select a new project in the drop-down list.

If you change the project, the COBOL file and map file (for Screens) are automatically set to the default value (rpp). The new project will be taken into account upon the next generation.

COBOL folder
The files that are generated from this instance will be stored in the folder displayed here, inside the project displayed in the previous field

The folder of the corresponding design file is the default folder. If it has been kept, Default is displayed between parentheses next to the folder. However, if it has been explicitly changed in the instance, only the folder is displayed here, without any other indication. If it has been explicitly changed in the Dialog, Inherited from Dialog is then displayed between parentheses next to the folder. If it has been explicitly changed in the generation Library, Inherited from Library is then displayed between parentheses next to the folder. In the instance, you can overwrite the value indicated in the Library.

If the default folder has been kept, you can specify a root path for the generated files in the Properties wizard (accessed by clicking the Change project properties button). This path will be automatically inserted in this field, at the beginning of the folder.

You can select a new folder in the drop-down list. Creating a folder is impossible at this stage. Folders must have already been created in the project, for example from the Resource perspective.

If you change the folder, it will be taken into account upon the next generation.

Change project properties
This button opens the Properties wizard, where you can perform the following actions:
  • Change the default folder. This folder contains the design files and is the default target of the generated and metadata files.
  • Indicate a root path for the generated files, provided the default generation folder has been kept.
  • Indicate a root path for the metadata files, which are stored by default in the same folder as the other generated files.
Note: A detailed help is available from the Properties wizard of the project.
Type and structure
In the list, select one of the possible values:
  • B: Batch structure

    It is the default option. It provides the general structure of an iterative structure: beginning of loop (F05), end of run (F20), end of loop (F9099. GO TO F05).

  • T: Online structure

    This option does not provide an iterative structure: no beginning of loop (F05), no end of run (F20), no end of loop (F9099. GO TO F05).

  • S: Suppress automatic structure generation

    The COBOL divisions are removed. The Program is built with the beginning insertion lines, the WORKING-STORAGE SECTION lines, and the Data Structure call lines.

  • F: Program composed of COBOL lines and -CD

    With this option, the calls to file structure descriptions that are entered through the WF micropattern are generated with the characteristics of the corresponding Segment call line in the -CD Lines tab.

  • D: Program composed of COBOL lines and -CD (automatic generation of COBOL DIVISIONS)

    The Program is constituted of the Data Structure call lines and the COBOL lines. The IDENTIFICATION DIVISION, ENVIRONMENT DIVISION, and DATA DIVISION are automatically generated. The PROCEDURE DIVISION lines are entered directly in COBOL.

  • P: Program composed of COBOL lines and -CD (PROCEDURE DIVISION written in COBOL source)

    The Program is constituted of the Data Structure call lines and the COBOL lines. The IDENTIFICATION DIVISION, ENVIRONMENT DIVISION, and DATA DIVISION are automatically generated. The PROCEDURE DIVISION lines are entered directly in COBOL The code structure (hierarchy of subfunctions) is respected.

Type of presence validation
In validation programs, the presence of numeric Data Elements is determined according to this option:
  • Present if not blank

    It is the default value. The Data Element is present if its value is not blank.

  • 0: Present if not zero

    The Data Element is present if its value is not zero.

  • L: Present if not low value

    The Data Element is present if it does not contain low values. This option is available for alphabetic and numeric Data Elements.

SQL indicators generation
Generation of SQL indicators with -.

If you select this option, the SQL indicators will be generated as: V-XXNN-DELCO.

If you do not select this option, the SQL indicators will be generated as: VXXNNDELCO.


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