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Cogito-Ergo-Sum · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2004 10:42 am Post subject: Shortest COBOL program (Again!)

Hi all,
Can anyone tell me what is so special about this COBOL program without actually compiling it? Yes. Only compilation.

kolusu · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2004 10:51 am Post subject:

Cogito,

If I remember correctly ERRMSG is used to generate the compiler listing with explanations. is that Right?

It will compile successfully.

Kolusu
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Kolusu
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Cogito-Ergo-Sum · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2004 12:01 pm Post subject:

100% !

It compiles successfully. And, yes, it generates a list of various compiler messages.

Kolusu, you are great!
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ALL opinions are welcome.

Debugging tip:
When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.
-- Sherlock Holmes.

mok · Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2004 1:19 pm Post subject:

Hi,
ERRMSG exists since Cobol II ! Furthermore, you can do it shorter : the STOP RUN statement is not mandatory.
Cheers

Kathi · Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2004 1:52 am Post subject:

I think some people have too much time on their hands! Laughing

ranga_subham · Intermediate Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 255 Topics: 72

Hi, mok.

kolusu · Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 10:42 am Post subject:

ranga_subham,

If control reaches the end of the Procedure Division of a method, and there is no next executable statement, an implicit EXIT METHOD statement is executed. ie the control is returned to the system. So if you don't have an explicit STOP RUN statement and the control reaches the end, then the program automatically execuetes the implicit exit method and return the control which is what mok is saying.

Kolusu
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Kolusu
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peaglet · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 4:58 pm Post subject:

If you're still using STOP RUN you need to move up to the newest compiler. GOBACK is now the standard

balaji.p.raman · Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2010 7:17 am Post subject:

Well, I hope you guys would be shooting me for posting this! Very Happy

The shortest COBOL program I have managed to write was this

"PROGRAM-ID. SHORT." bonk

Compiler used: Fujitsu NetCOBOL for Windows!

No kidding!

Reason:
A file input is treated to be a COBOL input file ONLY when it is identified with an IDENTIFICATION DIVISION. However, if one forgets just that small bit and a COBOL verb PROGRAM-ID follows, this compiler works around and recognizes the file as a valid COBOL file.

Can someone confirm if IBM compilers exhibit this behavior?
_________________
Rgds,
Balaji

Anuj Dhawan · Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2010 8:08 am Post subject:

No that will not work on zOS. For IBM Enterprise COBOL for z/OS 3.4.1 you get this error