PRODUCT NAME: VAX COBOL GENERATOR, Version 1.3 SPD 27.16.04 DESCRIPTION The VAX COBOL GENERATOR is a screen-oriented program generator that produces VAX COBOL source programs. Commercial programmers use the VAX COBOL GENERATOR as a productivity tool for the creation and maintenance of data processing applications. The programmer can create or modify a program by choosing icons that represent the components making up the program (menus, screens, etc.). From this input, the VAX COBOL GENERATOR produces a VAX COBOL source program that can be used like any other source program. Also, the VAX COBOL GENERATOR can be used for rapid prototyping to produce a program that can later be expanded and refined to become a production application. Thus, programmers can produce and maintain VAX COBOL programs in much less time than by traditional hand coding. The VAX COBOL GENERATOR runs under the VMS Operating System. The VAX COBOL GENERATOR can produce programs that call subprograms written in other VMS languages, as well as many Run-Time Library routines and system services. Similarly, programs produced by the VAX COBOL GENERATOR can be called by other VMS products adhering to the VAX Calling Standard. The default screen interactions utilize the VAX COBOL extensions to the ACCEPT and DISPLAY statements. However, the VAX COBOL GENERATOR can produce screen applications that use other screen packages, such as VAX FMS (Forms Management System). These VAX COBOL source programs can be debugged by the VAX Symbolic Debugger. To define an application in the VAX COBOL GENERATOR environment, the programmer selects and places icons (representing various parts of the application) in the screen work area for expansion. Data and procedural flow are specified by connecting these parts together. The VAX COBOL source code generated is then compiled by the VAX COBOL language processor and linked by the VAX Linker. These applications can then be executed on any valid VMS Operating System. Features The VAX COBOL GENERATOR lets the application be defined in a ``top-down'' manner. The programmer defines and manipulates the high-level design of the program parts (nodes) and relationship of those parts (connections) and supplies more detailed information by using interactive forms and editors. There are icons for each of the following data type nodes that represent the data used in the application: ^ File - Defines a file (any RMS file or Rdb database accessible from VAX COBOL) to be accessed in the application ^ Form - Defines the layout of a form to be used in the application ^ Report - Defines the layout of a report to be generated by the application ^ Local storage - Defines data used in the application, but not stored in a file There are icons for each of the following procedural type nodes that represent the specific functional tasks performed in the application: ^ Menu - Creates a menu in the application ^ Procedure - Defines a procedure to be executed in the application that can be either predefined (for example, SORT) or customized VAX COBOL source code produced by the application designer using an editor ^ Data movement - Defines the movement of data from one data node to another (for example, accepting data from a form into a file) A group node (icon) is a structural node that represents a complex function at a high level as a single node. Later, in the application design, the node is expanded to include the specific data type and procedural type nodes for that particular complex function. The VAX COBOL GENERATOR provides a data dictionary which allows the programmer to store common data definitions. This provides a single point of control so that data elements used in a single, or multiple, applications need only be changed once. The applications can then be regenerated to incorporate the changes. Optionally, VAX CDD record definitions can be used. Libraries are another single point of control for changes. Form, file, local storage, report, and procedure node definitions (with the exception of SORT and MERGE procedures), as well as a data dictionary can be stored in a library and referenced from multiple programs. In a DECwindows environment, VAX COBOL GENERATOR can be executed under the DECwindows Terminal Emulator. HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS VAX, MicroVAX or VAXstation configuration as specified in the System Support Addendum (SSA 27.16.04-x). Note: Use of a VAXstation is highly recommended for maximum performance and productivity. SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS For systems using terminals: (No DECwindows interface) VMS Operating System For Workstations running VMS Workstation Software: VMS Operating System VMS Workstation Software For Workstations running DECwindows: VMS Operating System (and the necessary components of VMS DECwindows) VAX COBOL Note: VAX COBOL must be on the system used to compile the generated code. Refer to the System Support Addendum (SSA 27.16.04-x) for availability and required versions of prerequisite/optional software. ORDERING INFORMATION Software Licenses: QL-365A*-** Software Media: QA-365A*-** Software Documentation: QA-365AA-GZ Software Product Services: QT-365A*-** * Denotes variant fields. For additional information on available licenses, services and media refer to the appropriate price book. SOFTWARE LICENSING This software is furnished under the licensing provisions of DIGITAL's Standard Terms and Conditions. For more information about DIGITAL's licensing terms and policies, contact your local DIGITAL office. LICENSE MANAGEMENT FACILITY SUPPORT This layered product supports the VMS License Management Facility License units for this product are allocated on a CPU-capacity basis. For more information on the License Management Facility, refer to the VMS Operating System Software Product Description (SPD 25.01.xx) or the VMS Operating System documentation set. SOFTWARE PRODUCT SERVICES A variety of service options are available from DIGITAL. For more information contact your local DIGITAL office. SOFTWARE WARRANTY Warranty for this software product is provided by DIGITAL with the purchase of a license for the product as defined in the Software Warranty Addendum of this SPD. February 1989 AE-HK89E-TE