Using Language Environment resident routines for callable services

For COBOL CALL literal statements, the compiler allows you to specify whether your program uses static or dynamic calls to Language Environment callable services (or other subroutines):
  • When a COBOL program makes a static call to a Language Environment callable service, the Language Environment resident routine (a callable service stub) is link-edited with the program.
  • When a COBOL program makes a dynamic call to a Language Environment callable service, the Language Environment resident routine is not link-edited with the program.
Only COBOL programs compiled with Enterprise COBOL for z/OS, COBOL for OS/390 & VM, COBOL for MVS & VM or COBOL/370 can call Language Environment callable services.
Note: You can use dynamic calls from VS COBOL II programs to Language Environment Date/Time callable services. You cannot use dynamic call from VS COBOL II programs to other Language Environment callable services. You cannot use static calls from VS COBOL II programs to any Language Environment callable services.

For more information about COBOL static and dynamic calls, see the appropriate version of the COBOL programming guide in the COBOL library at Enterprise COBOL for z/OS library.

For more information on Language Environment callable services, which can be used by COBOL, see z/OS Language Environment Programming Reference.