Run-Time Configuration

Users of ACUCOBOL-GT can modify many aspects of the run-time environment on a site-by-site or user-by-user basis without recompiling. This is accomplished in a text file known as a COBOL configuration file, and by environment variables.

For example, the location of data files, names of devices, color, text of error messages, file buffering, and screen editing functionality can all be maintained outside of the compiled programs. See Configuration Variables for configuration variables that may be useful to your site.

If machine-specific behavior is required, a program can directly inquire what type of machine it is running on. All of these features work together to allow the developer to support a wide range of machines with a minimum amount of resources.