Checkpoint records are output by COBOL2000 objects to an external checkpoint file (or two checkpoint files if necessary: see below). A checkpoint record comprises identification information, program status, associated system status and virtual memory contents. All this is required for any subsequent restart which might be effected.
By writing such checkpoint records, it is possible for a program to be continued at any time at the point where the last checkpoint record was written before the program was interrupted (whether intentionally or because of system malfunction). Checkpointing is especially recommended for programs with a fairly long execution time. However, it is only meaningful if the original data can be restored for a possible restart.
This functionality is not available in the POSIX subsystem (see the chapter "COBOL2000 and POSIX").