Microsoft KB Archive/21218

Enhancements Made to COBOL Version 1.12

PSS ID Number: Q21218 Article last modified on 11-16-1992

1.12 MS-DOS

Question: What enhancements were made to MS-COBOL in Version 1.12?

Response: The REBUILD utility now accepts valid MS-DOS Version 2.0 pathnames and allows the creation of a key file from an indexed data file without duplicating the data file. REBUILD also allows parameters to be entered using the command line. DOS Version 2.0 pathnames can now be used within COBOL programs. When the “VALUE OF FILE-ID” is a literal, the length is still limited to 16 characters. When VALUE OF FILE-ID is an identifier, the length of the specified filename, including path, may be up to 64 characters. Note that pathnames cannot be used with compiler itself for source, object, and list filenames. A limitation on the size of an item subordinate to an item containing an OCCURS clause (2048 byte maximum size) has been removed. INSTALL now supports COLOR for the IBM and Compaq PCs and the Texas Instruments Professional Computer. The reserved words “FOREGROUND-COLOR” and “BACKGROUND-COLOR” may be used to add color to “SCREEN SECTION” displays. They have no effect when used on machines for which color is not supported by INSTALL. The DEC Rainbow computer has been added to the list of installable machines. Compiler switches /T and /C now allow drives A: through Z: to be specified. The previous limit was A: through D:.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1992.