Testing a UTM application on Unix and Linux systems

On Unix and Linux systems you can use debugging tools such as dbx, gdb, sdb, COBOL debugger (Animator), etc. With the debugger, it is usually possible to attach to the individual processes of the running application. This means that the application can be started perfectly normally (with TEST STARTUP), see "Debugging a UTM application on Unix and Linux systems" below.

A different procedure is used if you want to test programs that execute automatically when the application is started, e.g. Start Exit or MSGTAC, see section “Starting a UTM application on Unix and Linux systems with the debugger”.

Requirements for debugging Micro Focus COBOL programs with Animator

The following preparatory activities must be undertaken in order to use Animator to debug programs compiled with the Micro Focus COBOL compiler:

1. Set the compiler option -a

2. Prepare the environment to be started under Animator using the command:

   • export COBSW=+A

     Permits dynamic animation without explicitly calling Animator.

   • export COBPATH=source-directory

     Specifies the path under which Animator searches for the .cbl and .int files.