A new LSACHECK compiler option is added to Enterprise COBOL for z/OS 6.3 November 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.

The Enterprise COBOL for z/OS 6.3 documentation is refreshed to include the following documentation enhancements related to LSACHECK:

Enhancements in COBOL 6.3 with PTFs installed: (For a complete list of Enterprise COBOL PTFs, check https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/604539):

• PH63907: New LSACHECK compiler option.   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. (LSACHECK)

Documentation updates in COBOL 6.3:

- What’s New  ( What is new in Enterprise COBOL for z/OS 6.3 and COBOL 6.3 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

The English PDF files are also 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 any comments regarding COBOL docs, or the LSACHECK feature, please send them to compilers@ibm.com.