The Enterprise COBOL for z/OS 6.4 December 2024 continuous delivery PTF includes two new features: LSACHECK  (Linkage Section Addressability Check) and Java 17&21 support for the COBOL/Java interoperability framework. It also updates a key COBOL upgrade documentation page commonly used in the planning stages of a COBOL upgrade, to include more detailed information on COBOL runtimes.

New feature: LSACHECK

A new LSACHECK compiler option is added to the Enterprise COBOL for z/OS 6.4 December 2024 PTF. Use the LSACHECK (Linkage Section Addressability Check) option to prevent inadvertent use of LINKAGE-SECTION data items prior to establishing addressability.  This can prevent problems when migrating to z/OS 2.5 and later and addresses the Idea opened by our customers.

The Enterprise COBOL for z/OS 6.4 documentation is refreshed to include the following:

- What’s New  ( What is new in Enterprise COBOL for z/OS 6.4 and COBOL 6.4 with PTFs installed )

• Updates in the New compiler options and New runtime messages sections listing the APARs needed for the new LSACHECK option.

- In the Programming Guide:

• The COBOL compiler options page includes LSACHECK under the Debugging and diagnostics category
• LSACHECK compiler option page has been added
• The Debugging using compiler options page has been updated to include LSACHECK

- In the Customization Guide:

• LSACHECK compiler option page has been added
• The IGYCDOPT worksheet for compiler options now includes the LSACHECK option

- In the Migration Guide:

• A new section on Moving COBOL programs to newer levels of z/OS has been added, with information on the LSACHECK option

New feature: Java 17/21 support for COBOL/Java interoperability framework

The non-OO COBOL/Java Interoperability Framework in the December 2024 PTF of IBM Enterprise COBOL for z/OS 6.4 now supports IBM Semeru Runtime Certified Edition for z/OS, Version 17.0 and Version 21.0! Learn more at Announcing Support for Java 17 and 21 in the non-OO COBOL Java Interoperability Framework.

Documentation update: COBOL upgrade planning (adds COBOL runtime information)

A handy resource for those undergoing a COBOL upgrade, COBOL compiler versions, required runtimes, and support information has been updated to make the relationship between the COBOL compiler and COBOL runtime more clear. A table has been added to show the runtime libraries available to different versions of COBOL programs and includes metadata such as product identifiers, components, and End of Support (EOS) dates. A new section addresses what EOS dates mean for both the compiler and runtime.

The English PDF files have also been refreshed to include the updates above. You can find the latest English PDF files from the Enterprise COBOL for z/OS library page at https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/611415. 

If you have comments regarding COBOL docs or the LSACHECK feature, please send them to compilers@ibm.com.