Using MS COBOL with Visual Studio 2005 in .NET

[O.A. Ray Reovan]

I'm coming from a UNIX environment using Server Express. Now I want to make the switch as stated above. Where is a good place to start learning how to fit in this new environ. I want to write a little program to use these tools with data in an SQL database.

[Robert]

Believe it or not, the book that shipped with Net Express is the place to start.

It was written by a couple of people who really know their stuff, Wayne Rippen and Will Price.

It walks you step by step through using Net Express in the Visual Studio environment.

Do you still have the book?

[O.A. Ray Reovan]

Yes ... I do. Thanks I will start there.

[O.A. Ray Reovan]

The book is excellent. I have one problem with the code in the book, where can I
find the syntax for this code? For example I see a version of the "move" verb that I
am not familare with. Is there a central place for the MF COBOL and Visual Studio
syntax?

[Robb]

I would suggest to start with .Net first, such as ADO, ADO+, Winforms, because .Net Express is just an additional tool for .Net.
Also Cobollers are some sort of slowly dying dynos, you want to fit the market - you start learning OOP principles, which are the basis for .Net.
Maybe learning how to use .Net Cobol you will put it on the shelf, and start new era in your life - OOP and Components based programming.
It should take one year of hardworking if you smart enough, then at least you are not dyno anymore. )))))

[O.A. Ray Reovan]

Thanks for the reply. I have studied OOP. I need to stay with MF COBOL because
of "legacy" applications. I am going through the Visual Studio 2005 book and I came
across some syntax that I can't find the def for. That is my question.

[Michael]

First, what is the syntax you're referring to. I'll be glad to help. 2ndly, it won't take a year.

Believe it or not there are only a handful of syntax enhancements to cobol to allow you to work with .NET object, classes, methods, properties, etc....but it is not that much to learn. The key is to start small and take in the .NET pieces you're trying to do and gradually build on them

[O.A. Ray Reovan]

Thanks for the reply. I am studying Visual Studio (2005) from the MF book by Price
and Ripkin. I came across a MOVE FORWARD statement and I just need to know where
can I find the COBOL syntax (in general). I found some information on the MicroSoft
"Help" web pages.

[Michael]

It would help if you could supply the complete statement...unless that is the complete statement...so I can see the context of it.

The cobol syntax for Cobol in .NET is included in the Visual Studio help within the "Micro Focus Net Express with .NET" subtopic
Thanks!

[Michael]

I have to guess without seeing the complete statement that there is a typo in the book. As far as can tell there is no FORWARD clause on the MOVE statement. In fact, FORWARD doesn't even to seem to be a reserved word.

[Quang Nhat Tuy Phong]

I want to create Cobol project with VS2005 in .net but don't know steup SV2005 which can code cobol.
Can you help me!