Cobol - Whither and How - the COBOL Standard

Author

Whither and How - the COBOL Standard

William M. Klein

2007-04-03, 3:55 am

Given past discussions, questions, (and rants) on the COBOL standardization
process (and/or lack thereof <G> ), I thought that some within this newsgroup
MIGHT be interested in reading a document that I was requested to create for J4.
This document was just posted and I have NO way of knowing what (if anything)
will happen with it (much less who in J4 or WG4 does or doesn't agree with which
parts of it). Therefore, please do NOT "assume" that this represents J4, the
US - much less WG4's "official" view. (And it is NOT a Micro Focus submission
either)

On the other hand, I think you might find the paper titled,
"Resources, responsibilities and priorities"

to be interesting. You can get it at:
http://www.cobolstandard.info/j4/files/07-0064.doc

--
Bill Klein
wmklein <at> ix.netcom.com

Pete Dashwood

2007-04-03, 3:55 am

"William M. Klein" <wmklein@nospam.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:0AlQh.12670$mw4.3231@fe06.news.easynews.com...
> Given past discussions, questions, (and rants) on the COBOL
> standardization process (and/or lack thereof <G> ), I thought that some
> within this newsgroup MIGHT be interested in reading a document that I was
> requested to create for J4. This document was just posted and I have NO
> way of knowing what (if anything) will happen with it (much less who in J4
> or WG4 does or doesn't agree with which parts of it). Therefore, please
> do NOT "assume" that this represents J4, the US - much less WG4's
> "official" view. (And it is NOT a Micro Focus submission either)
>
> On the other hand, I think you might find the paper titled,
> "Resources, responsibilities and priorities"
>
> to be interesting. You can get it at:
> http://www.cobolstandard.info/j4/files/07-0064.doc
>
> --
> Bill Klein
> wmklein <at> ix.netcom.com
>
Well, I read it several times and I like your suggested solution, Bill
(especially point 11)

The report is positive but realistic.

You are being honest and yet not giving up. Even though I have no time for
J4, I think they would do well to consider this document carefully.

It looks like it is moving to a point where something sensible needs to be
done and this is as good a shot as they are likely to get.

(I don't know if the document linked to is a draft, but there are a number
of errors and omissions. I'll gladly edit it for you if that would
help...Let me know, and if you are OK with that I'll send you an edited copy
for review.)

Best of luck.

Pete.

Alistair

2007-04-03, 6:55 pm

On 3 Apr, 06:26, "William M. Klein" <wmkl...@nospam.netcom.com> wrote:
> Given past discussions, questions, (and rants) on the COBOL standardization
> process (and/or lack thereof <G> ), I thought that some within this newsgroup
> MIGHT be interested in reading a document that I was requested to create for J4.
> This document was just posted and I have NO way of knowing what (if anything)
> will happen with it (much less who in J4 or WG4 does or doesn't agree with which
> parts of it). Therefore, please do NOT "assume" that this represents J4, the
> US - much less WG4's "official" view. (And it is NOT a Micro Focus submission
> either)
>
> On the other hand, I think you might find the paper titled,
> "Resources, responsibilities and priorities"
>
> to be interesting. You can get it at:
> http://www.cobolstandard.info/j4/files/07-0064.doc
>
> --
> Bill Klein
> wmklein <at> ix.netcom.com

The problem with slow delivery of the standard pre-dates the 85
standard. I certainly remember ridicule being heaped, in the media,
upon the standards committees before 1985.

Good luck Bill

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