Setting preferences for preprocessor statements

The Preprocessor Integration preference defines the process for identifying preprocessor statements.

About this task

Supported Editors:
  • COBOL Editor
  • PL/I Editor
  • z Systems® LPEX Editor
You can set preprocessor integration preferences for COBOL and PL/I files. The Preprocessor Integration preferences trigger running the preprocessor during editing to verify the expected output from the preprocessor statement.

Among the preferences that you can set on the Preprocessor Integration page are whether to start the preprocessor automatically when a file is opened or saved or whether to start it manually by using the Source menu in the editor.

The Preprocessor Integration preference also provides settings that determine how preprocessor statements are identified by the editor. These settings help to distinguish preprocessor statements from comments or non-syntax text that is not a preprocessor statement.

Procedure

You can open the Preprocessor Integration page from the Preferences window or from an edit session.

  1. From the Preferences window:
    Editor Instructions
    COBOL Editor Click COBOL > Editor > Preprocessor Integration
    PL/I Editor Click PL/I > Editor > Preprocessor Integration
    z Systems LPEX Editor with COBOL files Click LPEX Editor > z Systems LPEX Editor > COBOL Parser > Preprocessor Integration
    z Systems LPEX Editor with PL/I files Click LPEX Editor > z Systems LPEX Editor > PL/I Parser > Preprocessor Integration
  2. From an edit session:
    • COBOL and PL/I Editors: Right-click and click Source > Preprocessor Statements > Preferences.
    • z Systems LPEX Editor: Right-click and click Preprocessor Statements > Preferences.
  3. In the Running configured preprocessors automatically section, select whether the preprocessor runs when the file is open or saved by the editor.
  4. In the Identifying preprocessor statements section, select the characteristics that are used by the editor to identify preprocessor statements.
  5. Click Apply to save your changes.