Access to COBOL work file buffer in storage

Lukasz.Wojtasiak · Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 6:37 pm

I can access file buffers by pointers from BLF and also with some more detailed information (lenght) of the buffer from FCB and FIS. But I need to access the work file buffer (used for example in COBOL sort function).

So my question is: how to recognize file buffers from work file buffers?

Bill Woodger · Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 7:04 pm

You'd best show some code and explain what you are trying to do.

Lukasz.Wojtasiak · Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 7:40 pm

I have a dump of static storage, I search it for eyecatcher FCB and FIB and there I can find address and lenght of the buffer for every file defined in cobol program. But those control blocks are the same for line sequential files definitions and work file definition. If I have a 3 file definitions in cobol program: 2 FD and one WD, so knowing the addresses I can using assembler easy access the bufffers but still I dont know what buffer is the work file buffer.

I can also using Base Locator Table to locate the BLFs and also find there pointer to every buffer for each file in my COBOL program but still I dont know which is the buffer of my work file.

Bill Woodger · Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 7:45 pm

Are you trying to solve a dump, or access data "outside" of the Cobol program, from Assembler, for some reason?

Lukasz.Wojtasiak · Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 7:54 pm

I`m working on tool written in assemlber wich is used to dump COBOL data divisions (now I`m working on file section) in case of abend in COBOL program. So i access it outside of cobol program using assembler. I know how to dump those buffers but I dont know how to determine which is the work file buffer. I have to know if I want to display raport correctly.

Bill Woodger · Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 8:11 pm

Is this a tool for "sale" or for local use?

Can you post a small sample Cobol program?

What are you sourcing your dump from?

Why Assembler?