CALL entry_name command (COBOL)

Calls an entry name in the application program. The entry name must be a valid external entry point name (that is, callable from other compile units).

>>-CALL--+-identifier-+--+----------------------------------+--->
         '-literal----'  |        .-----------------------. |   
                         |        V                       | |   
                         '-USING----| identifier_clause |-+-'   

>--;-----------------------------------------------------------><

identifier_clause

                                             .------------.     
                                             V            |     
|--+-+-------------------+--+-------------+----identifier-+-+---|
   | '-+----+--REFERENCE-'  '-ADDRESS--OF-'                 |   
   |   '-BY-'                                               |   
   |                  .---------------------------------.   |   
   |                  V                                 |   |   
   '-+----+--CONTENT----+-+-------------+--identifier-+-+---'   
     '-BY-'             | +-ADDRESS--OF-+             |         
                        | '-LENGTH--OF--'             |         
                        '-literal---------------------'         

identifier

A valid z/OS® Debugger COBOL identifier.

literal

A valid COBOL literal.

Usage notes

• If you have a COBOL entry point name that is the same as a z/OS Debugger procedure name, the procedure name takes precedence when using the CALL command. If you want the entry name to take precedence over the z/OS Debugger procedure name, you must qualify the entry name when using the CALL command.
• You can use the CALL entry_name command to change program flow dynamically. You can pass parameters to the called module.
• The CALL follows the same rules as calls within the COBOL language.
• The COBOL ON OVERFLOW and ON EXCEPTION phrases are not supported, so END-CALL is not supported.
• Only calls to separately compiled programs are supported; nested programs are not callable by this z/OS Debugger command (they can of course be started by GOTO or STEP to a compiled-in CALL).
• All calls are dynamic, that is, the called program (whether specified as a literal or as an identifier) is loaded when it is called.
• See Enterprise COBOL for z/OS Language Reference for an explanation of the following COBOL keywords: ADDRESS, BY, CONTENT, LENGTH, OF, REFERENCE, USING.
• An entry_name cannot refer to a method.
• A windowed date field cannot be specified as the identifier containing the entry name.
• The CALL entry_name command cannot be used while you replay recorded statements by using the PLAYBACK commands by using the PLAYBACK command.

Example

CALL "sub1" USING a b c;

Refer to the following topics for more information related to the material discussed in this topic.

• Related references
• PLAYBACK commands
• Enterprise COBOL for z/OS Language Reference