By Rick Malek
Fujitsu NetCOBOL for .NET is a COBOL compiler created specifically for Microsoft's .Net Framework. This means that it:
Produces Microsoft's Intermediate Language (MSIL) that executes under the Common Language Runtime (CLR). This language-neutral, platform independent environment enables COBOL code to be mixed with any other .NET-supporting language (such as C# and VB .NET) on any .NET-supporting platform.
Adapts OO COBOL syntax, and supports .NET-specific extensions, so that COBOL programs can be written to take full advantage of the .NET Framework classes.
Enables COBOL as an ASP.NET scripting language.
Integrates with Visual Studio .NET so that COBOL applications can be developed using this award winning development environment.
These features allow you to bring COBOL fully into the world of Internet applications including XML Web services and ASP.NET pages, and to integrate that code with code written in other languages. The .NET Framework gives access to the latest technology and NetCOBOL for .NET ensures this is immediately available to COBOL programmers. COBOL-85 code can also be compiled and run as-is in the .NET environment so that you can leverage your current COBOL assets
NetCOBOL for .NET can be purchased in three different packages: Professional, Developer, and Universal. The Professional package contains the .NET-supporting components and only supports the development of applications that will execute in the .NET environment. The Developer package adds the Fujitsu COBOL V6 Standard edition product and multi-threaded run-time, giving the ability to develop native Windows applications as well as .NET-targeted applications and integrate the two together. The Universal package is a combination of the NetCOBOL for .NET Professional product and the Fujitsu COBOL V6 Enterprise Edition, giving you our top-of-the-line Windows application development environment along with the leading-edge NetCOBOL for .NET product.
Highlights
COBOL compiler generates standard .NET MSIL (Microsoft Intermediate Language) code
COBOL programs can be integrated seamlessly with other languages: inheriting from classes created in other languages, invoking and being invoked by methods written in other languages.
Full access to .NET Framework classes, including XML Web service classes
Mixed language applications can be debugged with the one, Visual Studio, debugger
Support for using COBOL as an ASP.NET language
Interoperation with COM and existing native code compilers
Includes, and integrates with, Microsoft's Visual Studio .NET.
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