Query: Regarding need of recompilation.

VinayCM · New User Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 36 Location: Bengaluru

I have a copybook which is used by several modules(COBOL progs), if we add some fields to copybook which are used by some modules(not all), is it essential to recompile all the modules which uses that copybook, irrespective of whether that module refer newly added field or not. Please suggest.

enrico-sorichetti · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 5:27 pm

it depends on Your shop standards

did Your file layout change ( only added fileds at the end )
do You have any clashes in Your FD section ( only added fileds at the end )
( but since I am not a cobol expert I am just suggesting some meditation points )

do the standards dictate that the load must always be in sync with the source
I would enforce it also for auditing purposes

Jerry · New User Joined: 16 Sep 2005 Posts: 42

Hi VinayCM,

It also depends on where the new fields are to be added in the copybook. If the new fields are to be added in the middle of the copybook, then all the programs need to be recompiled. If they are to be added at the end in place of an existing filler, then we need not recompile, though it is always recommended to recompile.

VinayCM · New User Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 36 Location: Bengaluru

Thanks for your suggestions, I'm adding fields in middle also, is there any way to avoid recompilation of all modules, so that i can recompile the modules which uses that newly added fields..

enrico-sorichetti · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 6:33 pm

if the copybook is a working storage only,
You might get away with it

BUT if the copybook is a file record layout then..

Your organization should have a plan for cutover from the old layout to the new layout,
and yes, in this case all the programs must be recompiled

( what about writing with the old/new layout and reading with the new/old one ??? )

enrico-sorichetti · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 6:59 pm

... while typing I forget things...

Usually this decision is an overall application development strategy
so there should not be the need to ask Yourself the question,
just look at Your shop standards and practices documents
and the answer will/should be there

( if the answer is not there, some chapters might be missing,
but then also some ISO certification might be missing

)

CICS Guy · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 7:12 pm

Phrzby Phil · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 7:14 pm

To clarify previous posts:

If you are adding fields "in the middle," but they are occupying previous FILLER, and therefore not shifting other fields or changing the record length, then there is no technical need for recompiling.

Some may recommend recompiling all programs on general principles, but some shops require testing all recompiled programs - are you prepared to do that if that is your shop's standard?

I am not in favor of recompiling every program unless there is a shift or LRECL change, but then I must know that I cannot look at any compile listing to see what's in a copybook - I must look at the copybook itself.

enrico-sorichetti · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 7:28 pm

Ok lets keep it on the philosophic side
it also depends On the what software control program somebody is using

let' s take SCLM for example

the two main actions are BUILD and PROMOTE
and the philosophy applies to every object type, with some side effects

for a program a build will result in two main steps

sclm related
parsing to find out the dependencies ( on copybooks and external subroutines )
object related
precompilation, compilation, linkage, editor bind ( as a general sample )

no side effects for a program

for a copy book BUILD
there will be ( to keep it short ) only the side effects
which are a rebuild of the sources where the copy book is used

for a static subroutine BUILD
there will be the usual build of the subroutine
and the side effect of relinking all the load where the subroutine is being used ( and if the environment has been propery setup, also the bind )

so no need to ask oneself if there is the need to recompile everything

Anuj Dhawan · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:39 pm

shitij · New User Joined: 09 Sep 2005 Posts: 31 Location: Delhi

Hi,

I had seen a similar problem in my previous project and we did not recompile the whole lot of pgms using the copybook.

If the old copybook was called COPY...we made a new copybook called COPY1 (with new fields replacing the fillers).

Now whichever pgm required the change we used COPY1 and rest of the lot remained with old copybook i.e. COPY (Why would u like to change a copybook which has no relevance to ur running code...let it remain as it was).

I am not sure whether u could do the same or not, else i suggest pls recompile the whole lot to be on the safer side.

Regards,
Shitij

Anuj Dhawan · Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 1:39 pm