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buntyjain · Beginner Joined: 03 Jan 2003 Posts: 8 Topics: 5

What is the Difference between COBOL CALL and CICS LINK.

buntyjain · Beginner Joined: 03 Jan 2003 Posts: 8 Topics: 5

Though I got the Answer :

" If you're accessing the sub-program ONCE, then the LINK and the CALL are equal in overhead. The difference is realized when accessing the sub-program more than one time."

But can anyone throw more light into it ?

kolusu · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 5:04 am Post subject:

Buntyjain,

In simple terms both CALL & LINK function alike.LINK executes the program at the next logical level from its currently executing program. Upon return from a program called by LINK, execution will resume at the next statement after the LINK call.

The call also works in the same fashion. i.e upon return from a program CALLed program, execuetion will resume at the next statement after the CALL.

In CICS, XCTL executes a program at the same logical level, immediately terminating the calling program to run the program being called.

Hope this helps...

Cheers

Kolusu
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Mike Chantrey · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 6:50 am Post subject:

Some differences:
LINK can be used between any CICS supported languages. CALL can only be used between specific language combinations.
LINK can only pass a single chunk of storage (commarea) with all parameters in it. CALL supports multiple parameters.
LINK can only be used to invoke CICS-translated programs. CALL can invoke CICS-translated programs or programs which have not been translated. CALLing a CICS translated program means you must specify DFHEIBLK and DFHCOMMAREA as the first two parameters; these must not be included if CALLing a non-CICS translated program.
There are various other considerations, detailed in the 'COBOL programming' chapter of the 'CICS application programming Guide', which is available via this board's manual links.