Microsoft KB Archive/41538

Possible to SHELL from COBOL 3.0x Compiler with CTRL+PAUSE

PSS ID Number: Q41538 Article last modified on 04-20-1993

3.00 3.00a | 3.00 3.00a MS-DOS | OS/2

Summary: It is possible to SHELL from the Microsoft COBOL Versions 3.0 and 3.0a compilers. This is done with the CTRL+PAUSE key combination (on the extended keyboard; this feature is not available on non-extended keyboard.) Note: The CTRL+SHIFT+PAUSE keys must be pressed at the same time. Once this has been performed, a new version of COMMAND.COM is loaded and you are now in the MS-DOS environment. Type EXIT from that command line to return to the compile process. Memory is limited because the SHELL process does not unload the COBOL compiler; rather, it puts a new copy of COMMAND.COM above it in memory. This is an undocumented feature that should be added to the “Microsoft COBOL Version 3.0: Operating Guide” (such as in Chapter 2 “Compiling Your Program”).

Additional reference words: 3.00 3.00a Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1993.