Re: [open-cobol-list] optional ecosystem for OC, Second thoughts on Java etc

[john Culleton]

On Sun, 17 Mar 2013 09:14:05 -0400
Patrick <address@hidden> wrote:

> The more I read about Cobol the fewer and fewer external libraries I 
> really need, there is a lot built in.
> 
> However to interact with scientific instrumentation I am sure I will 
> need some and my problems can be solved in multiple ways, better to
> do it in the most OC community friendly way.
> 
> There is already Cobol .net but like Bryan I am not crazy about
> closed source toolchains and it looks like mono has had serious
> setbacks recently. There is also the Glib world that can be used
> without GTK and QT libraries that can be used without a GUI.
> 
> There is boost from the plain C++ world and there is Java.
> 
> With Hitachi offering Java integration with there compiler Java seems 
> like a good fit but Java worries me.
> 
> Larry Ellison sounds like a psychopath:
> http://www.orafaq.com/node/1712
> 
> Java seems to have serious security flaws:
> http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-57563951-83/homeland-security-still-advises-disabling-java-even-after-update/
> 
> and Oracle is bundling in bloatware:
> http://www.zdnet.com/if-you-need-java-use-this-one-instead-7000010157/
> 
> I am wondering what is the best ecosystem for the greater community? 
> What are your needs?
> 
> -Patrick

In many years of writing COBOL the only time I have needed or
used subordinate libraries is in a situation where a fancy gui
window was needed. Tiny Cobol has an example or two of calling 
e.g, Tcl/tk. The COBOL data entry window is pretty bare bones
whether done with SCREEN statements or individual DISPLAY/ACCEPT
pairs. 

OTOH The basic Linux or other *nix utilities are very useful. I call
them using a CALL SYSTEM USING "ls -l >listing" type statement. 

For an interface to scientific instrumentation perhaps ADA would be
useful. I have never used it. 
-- 
John Culleton
Wexford Press
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