The PDP COBOL editor provides additional functions to the standard COBOL editor. You can modify the COBOL code while clearly seeing the origin of all the code lines (generated lines, Macro lines, or specific code lines), the deleted or overwritten lines, and the potential problems detected by the reconciliation.
You can modify the generated code to adapt it to your particular needs.
You can use micropatterns or snippets to insert code. It is strongly recommended not to modify the code that is generated by a micropattern. Warnings in the margin indicate where the insertion of specific code can disrupt the reconciliation (overriding a line that is generated by a micropattern and adding a micropattern call in the specific code that is generated by a micropattern).
You can insert functions or subfunctions in the PROCEDURE DIVISION by using a creation wizard. To open it, right-click in the editor and select Create a function or subfunction. The cursor position when you open the wizard is irrelevant. The new function or subfunction is correctly inserted according to the number you give it in the wizard.
You can modify the level of a specific subfunction from the subfunction creation wizard. To do it, put the cursor in the subfunction, right-click, and select Change the level of a subfunction.
The PDP COBOL editor indicates a modified state with a * in the tab title of the editor when the edited .cbl file is directly modified or when one or more referenced design files are modified. When you modify an instance (a Data Element for example) referenced in the edited COBOL file, the PDP COBOL editor displays a modified state. To undo the changes in the editor and in the model instances, right-click and select Revert File.
is displayed, followed by a special
character, in the title of the PDP COBOL editor tab. The default special
character is > but you can change it by selecting .
These signals alert you that a new generation is needed.
) to inform you that Generate
is recommended due to modifications in the design. When
the generation is complete, the synchronization is restored and the
button returns to its initial appearance.The specific changes are emphasized by a specific color (which you can change by selecting ). For example, a DATE-COMPILED line might be colored because the date from the Pacbase source is different from the data of the local generation. If you do not decide otherwise, the line from Pacbase is kept.
The PDP coloring, on top of the COBOL editor coloring, identifies the origin of the lines.
You can change these PDP default colors by selecting .
is displayed if code lines were deleted or overwritten. If
you place your mouse over this symbol, you can see the deleted line
or the line overwritten by the current line.
is displayed by the reconciliation (the process that integrates,
after a generation, the new design of an instance with the user-specific
changes) on each line where it has detected a potential problem. Such
a problem occurs, for example, when the reconciliation is not sure
where it must place the specific code because several locations are
possible, or when the overwritten generated code has changed.