Example: Creating a mapped method to call external COBOL code

A typical usage of a COBOL macro method is to include an external paragraph file in the generated COBOL code.

To include an external paragraph file:

1. Define the required paragraph or paragraphs in an external file. For example, a file named EXTERNAL-PARA has two paragraphs:

   
   PARAGRAPH-1.
      IF AMOUNT > 2000
          MOVE 1 TO FLAG
      END-IF.
   
   PARAGRAPH-2.
      IF TYPES ='DOLLAR'
          MOVE 1 TO ACCEPTED
      END-IF.

2. In Rule Designer, create methods to include the paragraphs you have defined. For example, using the paragraphs in Step 1, add the following methods:

   • public static void performAmountCheck ()

   • public static void performTypeCheck ()

3. Scroll down to the COBOL Method section of the BOM Editor.
4. To implement the performAmountCheck () method:
   1. In the Outline view, click Create a macro method.
   2. In the COBOL Method Body Editor, add the following line of COBOL code to implement the method.

      PERFORM PARAGRAPH-1

5. To implement the performTypeCheck () method, create it as a macro method and then add the following code:

   PERFORM PARAGRAPH-2

6. Save your work.

   You can now write the action part of the rule as follows:

   then
     perform Amount Check ;
     perform Type Check ;

7. When you generate the COBOL code, specify the external filename to include the file in the PROCEDURE SECTION of the COBOL code.

PROCEDURE DIVISION.
* Rule testExternalParagraph
RULE-1TESTEXTERNALPARAGRAPH.
    PERFORM PARAGRAPH-1.
    PERFORM PARAGRAPH-2.
.
.
.
COPY EXTERNAL-PARA
.
.
.