Overview Of Copy file Generation
Net Assemblies are made up of Classes within a Namespace.
A COBOL program accesses an Assembly using a Namespace and
Class from the copy file.
Within a Namespace Class hierarchy are Methods, Properties,
Enumerations and Events.
NetDefGen interrogates an Assembly and produces an English
translation for Namespaces, Classes, Methods, Enumerations,
Properties and Events.
The resultant copy file is included in a COBOL program for
use by the compiler and programmer.
In addition to the copy file, event handlers are generated
for each Class in the Assembly.
.NET events and event data are delivered to the ACUCOBOL
runtime and COBOL program from event handlers.
Event handlers are loaded by the runtime when a COBOL program
executes a Display or Create statement or references an Assembly
in a COBOL Screen Section.
The runtime locates Event handlers from an NetEvents.ini
file containing a list of directory paths or, by default, the
directory where the runtime is located.
Windows base types, integer, unsigned integer, float, double,
byte, character and character string are supported.
Objects are not supported.
Any method, property or constructor requiring parameter object
creation by the COBOL program will fail as well as any method
or property returning objects.
Cached Assemblies Top
The List Box labeled Cached Assemblies contains all Assemblies
located in the Global Assembly Cache.
When an Assembly is mouse selected, all Namespaces and Classes
found in that Assembly will display in the list box labeled
Namespace Classes.
Namespace Classes Top
This allows for specific selection of only what is needed.
Assemblies may contain many Namespaces and Classes resulting
in large unused copy files.
If a specific Namespace Class is not selected the resulting
copy file will contain definitions for all Namespaces and Classes
found in the Assembly.
Clear Namespace Selection Top
The Clear Namespace Selection Button clears a selection from the
Namespace Classes list.
Show Namespaces For Input Assembly Top
The Show Namespace For Input Assembly Button is used when you
manually type an Assembly path in the Input Assembly Path.
Namespaces will automatically display upon return from an Open
Dialog when using the search button.
Input Assembly Path Top
The entry field labeled Input Assembly Path may be used as an
alternative to the Cached Assemblies selection when the Assembly
is not located in the Global Assembly Cache.
The SEARCH button to its right will display a File Open Dialog
to assist you in locating the desired Assembly.
Output Copy file Path Top
The entry field labeled Output Copy file Path contains the full path
and file name of the generated Copy file. If any event handlers are
generated, they will be located in this same directory path with a
file name prefix of Namespace and Class and suffix of .DLL.
The SEARCH button to its right will display a File Open Dialog
to assist you in locating an output directory and file name.
Execute Button Top
Pressing the Execute Button will start the copy file and event handler
generation. A completion status message will appear at the bottom of
the screen.