IBM Enterprise COBOL for z/OS features

Fully exploit z/Architecture

Generates code to take advantage of z15™, z14®, z14 ZR1, z13®, z13s®, zEC12 or zBC12, z196 or z114, z10 processors without the need for source code changes. In addition, the COBOL compiler increases hardware ROI by incorporating leading edge optimization technology to exploit the latest IBM Z® hardware and middleware products such as CICS®, IMS™, and Db2®.

Use Enterprise COBOL and Automatic Binary Optimizer together

Use the latest version of Enterprise COBOL for new development, modernization and maintenance. Use ABO (sold separately) to improve the performance of the COBOL modules without a recompilation plan.

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Continuous delivery of enhancements

Supports the Continuous Delivery (CD) model so that you can receive new features and enhanced capabilities as soon as the code is ready. You can now receive enhancements in a faster and more continuous way without waiting for the next release.

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Improve productivity

New features of the latest COBOL compiler include: i) easier problem determination and support for modern development tools that are supplied by both IBM and other ISVs, and, ii) support of simplified programming techniques.

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Easy migration

Introduces compiler enhancements such as new compiler options to detect or correct invalid data issues, which help ease your migration efforts from COBOL V4 or earlier to COBOL V5 or V6 compiler. In addition, the interactive and cloud based COBOL Migration Assistant augments the COBOL Migration Guide and helps you navigate through the migration process smoothly.

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Modernize applications

Modernizes your environment with proven features extended to support web, cloud, and mobile infrastructures, while reducing cost, risk, and cycle time. 1) RESTful Java™ Script Object Notation (JSON) services with traditional XML web services. 2) Native UTF-8 that enables COBOL applications to efficiently communicate across applications via RESTful APIs and to directly process UTF-8 data. 3) AMODE 64 (64-bit) batch applications development, which enables processing of large data tables over 2 GB.

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COBOL Report Writer

IBM COBOL Report Writer (5798-DYR, 5798-DZX) is an add-on program that runs alongside the IBM COBOL compiler. This add-on program defines and produces all the listings, reports and displayed summaries that would normally be required in a COBOL application. Now you can significantly reduce the time and effort required to code and test a COBOL program with printed output.

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Customer case studies

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DATEV: Modernization of COBOL Environment

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DATEV: DevOps.com video interview

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A large North American bank

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Technical details

Software requirements

z/OS V2.2 or later with required program temporary fixes (PTFs)

    Hardware requirements

    IBM Enterprise COBOL for z/OS, V6.3 runs on the following IBM servers:

    • z15
    • z14 or z14 ZR1
    • z13® or z13s®
    • zEnterprise EC12 or zEnterprise BC12
    • zEnterprise 196 or zEnterprise 114
    • z10 Enterprise Class or z10 Business Class

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    IBM Automatic Binary Optimizer for z/OS

    Your business-critical COBOL applications may not be running optimally. Getting the best performance requires updating your program modules to target the latest IBM Z® mainframes, however compiler migration and full source recompilation can be a challenging and time-consuming project. IBM® Automatic Binary Optimizer for z/OS® (ABO) uses advanced optimization technology to generate code targeting the latest IBM Z mainframes to improve application performance without the need for recompilation. ABO reduces the CPU usage of your COBOL applications to lower operating costs while maintaining strict compatible functionality of the original modules. The performance achieved by ABO V2.1 is on-par with Enterprise COBOL V6.3. ABO V2.1 uses Execution-based price metric. This means the price of ABO V2.1 is based on the capacity of the LPAR in which the product runs. This provides you the flexibility to grow capacity as needed. ABO V2.1 generates SMF-89 record to help you manage capacity.

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    IBM Enterprise PL/I for z/OS

    Optimize and modernize PL/I applications on IBM z/OS systems

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    IBM CICS Transaction Server for z/OS

    IBM® CICS® Transaction Server for z/OS® has evolved into a powerful mixed language application server, enabling developers to write and modernise applications using the languages and tools best suited to business needs and their skills. Supported languages and frameworks include Java®-based OSGi, Springboot®, Jakarta® EE, Eclipse® MicroProfile, and Node.js®-based runtime for JavaScript and TypeScript, and COBOL, C/C++, and PL/I. CICS is able to scale applications to support high-transaction workloads in a secure, robust, cost-efficient environment.

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    IBM Db2 12 for z/OS

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    IBM Information Management System 15

    IBM® Information Management System (IMS™) is already the trusted name in transactional databases on IBM Z®. IMS 15 builds on that trust. It delivers the availability, scalability, and performance needed for enterprise and integrated on-premise and hybrid cloud environments. IMS is an open and connected system, promoting innovation that leverages trusted IMS applications, transactions, and data, while processing billions of secure transactions per day.

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    IBM Debug for z/OS

    IBM® Debug for z/OS® offers debugging and code coverage for z/OS applications written in COBOL, PL/I, C/C++ and Assembler. Debug for z/OS, the traditional z/OS debugging product, is powered by the IBM z/OS Debugger and provides a 3270 user interface and remote debugging through Eclipse. Additional z/OS Debugger capabilities and client options are available in IBM Developer for z/OS, IBM Developer for z/OS Enterprise Edition, and IBM Wazi Developer.

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