PQ07918: EXEC SET PROGRAM MASK (SPM) TO ENABLE PROGRAM INTERRUPTS DOES NOT WORK IN ASSEMBLER SUBROUTINE OF COBOL WITH LE/MVS RUNTIME.

Obtain the fix for this APAR.

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• A COBOL II or COBOL/MVS program calls an assembler subroutine
  that uses a SPM (Set Program Mask) instruction to enable all
  program interrupts.  The subroutine then executes instructions
  that should cause a Decimal Overflow Exception - ABENDS0CA.
  Under LE/MVS 1.7 using the TRAP(ON) runtime option, the
  the program does not abend and there is no message.
  NOTE:  The same coding sequence fails with a S0CA when a
  COBOL II program and runtime library is used.
  

Local fix

• TRAP(OFF) is NOT the recommended runtime option, but the
  ABENDS0CA may occur if it is used.
  

Problem summary

• ****************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED: COBOL users who call an assembler program    *
  *                 that sets the program mask (by an SPM        *
  *                 instruction) and expects to get control      *
  *                 when a fixed-point overflow, decimal         *
  *                 overflow, exponent underflow, or             *
  *                 significance program interrupt occurs.       *
  *                                                              *
  ****************************************************************
  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: When a program interrupt occurs (such   *
  *                      as ABENDS0CA) in the assembler program, *
  *                      the interrupt is ignored and no dump    *
  *                      or message is produced.                 *
  *                                                              *
  ****************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION: Apply the provided PTF.                      *
  *                                                              *
  ****************************************************************
  When a program interrupt occurs (such as ABENDS0CA), Language
  Environment searches the save area chain for the first
  recognized language. It then invokes that language's  condition
  handler. When COBOL's condition handler is invoked, it checks
  to see if the program interrupt should be ignored and if so,
  it will be ignored. However, the current program running is not
  a COBOL program, but rather, an assembler program.
  

Problem conclusion

• The COBOL condition handler will be modified to only ignore
  the program interrupt if the program causing the interrupt is
  a COBOL program or a COBOL library routine.
  
  Documentation changes are identified below:
  
  +-------------------------------------------------------------+
  | Start of changes for the IBM COBOL for MVS & VM             |
  | Compiler and Run-Time Migration Guide (SC26-4764-03)        |
  
  In Appendix D, "Applications with COBOL and Assembler",  add
  a new bullet to the list at the top of the page:
  
  * Converting programs that change the program mask
  
  Add a new section in Appendix D as follows:
  
  Converting programs that change the program mask
  
  When a VS COBOL II program calls an assembler program that
  changes the program mask (for example, uses an SPM
  instruction), the program mask is restored after the call
  to the assembler program.
  
  With COBOL/370 and COBOL for MVS & VM, the program mask
  is not restored. Hence, if you change the program mask
  in your assembler program, you must restore it before
  returning to the COBOL program. Failure to restore the
  program mask could result in data errors not being
  detected. This includes fixed-point overflow, decimal
  overflow, exponent underflow, and significance exceptions.
  
  | End of changes for the IBM COBOL for MVS & VM               |
  | Compiler and Run-Time Migration Guide (SC26-4764-03)        |
  +-------------------------------------------------------------+
  
  PUBS CLOSING CODE: DEVCHNG
  

Temporary fix

Comments

APAR Information

• APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

  PN90452

• APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

  UQ09092

Modules/Macros

•    IGZCHCM
  

Fix information

• Fixed component name

  LE COBOL LIB

• Fixed component ID

  568819802

Applicable component levels

• R710 PSY UQ09092

     UP97/09/08 P F709

Fix is available

• Select the PTF appropriate for your component level. You will be required to sign in. Distribution on physical media is not available in all countries.