PM94617: Rational Developer for System z V8.5.1 NPE prevents context menu from opening or browsing SQLCA

Rational Developer for System z Fix Pack 4 (8.5.1.4) for 8.5.1
Rational Developer for System z Fix Pack 5 (8.5.1.5) for 8.5.1
Rational Developer for System z Interim Fix 1 for 8.5.1.6
Rational Developer for System z Fix Pack 7 (8.5.1.7) for 8.5.1
Rational Developer for System z Interim Fix 1 for 8.5.1.4
Rational Developer for System z Fix Pack 6 (8.5.1.6) for 8.5.1

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• When attempting to open or browse the SQLCA copybook referenced
  in 'EXEC SQL INCLUDE SQLCA END-EXEC' statement
  from the COBOL Editor, RDz issues the following
  NullPointerException.
  
  java.lang.NullPointerException
      at
  com.ibm.systemz.cobol.editor.lpex.util.COBOLMetadataUtil.convert
  TokenToCopyStatementNames(Unknown
  Source)
      at
  com.ibm.systemz.cobol.editor.jface.editor.CobolEditor.editorCont
  extMenuAboutToShow(Unknown
  Source)
      at
  org.eclipse.ui.texteditor.AbstractTextEditor$13.menuAboutToShow(
  Unknown
  Source)
      at
  org.eclipse.ui.texteditor.AbstractDecoratedTextEditor$1.menuAbou
  tToShow(Unknown
  Source)
      at
  org.eclipse.jface.action.MenuManager.fireAboutToShow(Unknown
  Source)
      at
  org.eclipse.jface.action.MenuManager.handleAboutToShow(Unknown
  Source)
      at org.eclipse.jface.action.MenuManager.access$1(Unknown
  Source)
      at org.eclipse.jface.action.MenuManager$2.menuShown(Unknown
  Source)
      at org.eclipse.swt.widgets.TypedListener.handleEvent(Unknown
  Source)
  
  Local fix:
  Use LPEX Editor as a temporary workaround
  

Local fix

Problem summary

• When right clicking on a copybook member name that was not
  resolved by the parser/resolver, a null pointer would occur when
  trying to access information about the selected member.
  

Problem conclusion

• The null-check was added allowing the context menu to appear in
  when selecting a copy member that was not resolved to an actual
  file.
  
  The problem listed in this APAR has been resolved with
  IBM Rational Developer for System z V8.5.1.4 Fix Pack which
  is available from the Recommended Fixes support download page:
  http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=2294&uid=swg27006335
  

Temporary fix

Comments

APAR Information

• APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

• APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

Fix information

• Fixed component name

  RATL DEV FOR SY

• Fixed component ID

  5724T0700

Applicable component levels

• R850 PSY

     UP