VB GUI Interface with COBOL85

[efrain]

I am a student who is working on a univeristy mainframe running JCL/MVS and TSO/ISPF. We're going to start working on projects writing code in COBOL85 and CICS. Is there a way to use Visual Basic as the GUI interface instead of the boring CICS terminal text screens? I would greatly appreciate any ideas or suggestions anyone has! I really want to go all out on my project and this is one way to do it!

 

[amosgreg]

Word to the wise, <br>
Learn the "Boring CICS terminal Text" method. It is complicated enough that trying to go "All Out" as you put it will mean you spen to much time on the VB front end and not enough on the handling of the CICS code.<br>
<br>
If you have the CICS application finished with plenty of time to spare, Then explore the VB front-end approach.

 

[mckarl]

Cobol is best for what it's designed for. that's the transformation of files! input, batching, output, yadi yadi yaa.. CICS is the best interface to use, however, using the :<br>
<br>
DISPLAY &quot;HELLO!&quot; AT 1010 WITH UNDERLINE<br>
HIGHLIGHT<br>
REVERSE-VIDEO<br>
<br>
may make things look a little more GUI.<br>
<br>
------------------------------------------------------------<br>
<br>
<p> Karl<br><a href=mailto:mc_karl@yahoo.com>mc_karl@yahoo.com</a><br><a href= > </a><br> ~ ~ ~ ~<br>
K A R L<br>
~ ~ ~ ~

 

[cobolpgmr]

I'm interested to hear how your GUI interface is coming!

 

[Crox]

There is no problem in combining VB and COBOL. Examine the download's from CA-REALIA COBOL. I think they have an example for you!<br><br>When you are working with a mainframe terminal emulator, there are special API call's you can do, using the mainframe screen as if it was a record. I know of applications which even use 4 mainframe sessions at once in the background and displaying the results on a gui screen. The user doesn't know in fact what he is using. But everybody is satisfied: the accountant whom doesn't want to combine too much authority in one program (because there are four of them), the user is glad with his gui. The end-processing is even not that complex, although you have some kind of hand-shaking talk with the mainframe on several places in the system.<br><br>May the source be with you!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;