recursion calls

[Jon.Paris@xxxxxx]

 >> Cobol 400 (NOT ILE COBOL) does support recursive calls.

Before anyone goes trying to build a COBOL/400 application that exploits
this "feature" I should point out that this information is incorrect.

It is possible to create a COBOL/400 that _appears_ to work recursively -
but it really isn't doing anything of the sort.  By virtue of a design
quirk in the compiler it can appear to be working - but will only do so for
a single level of recursion beyond that all bets are off (and even that is
not supported).

I spent a _very_ long time while working with the COBOL compiler team in
Toronto trying to determine why a users recursive program appeared to work
correctly under test conditions but failed in production!

Please do not try this at home <g>

+---
| This is the Midrange System Mailing List!
| To submit a new message, send your mail to MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com.
| To subscribe to this list send email to MIDRANGE-L-SUB@midrange.com.
| To unsubscribe from this list send email to MIDRANGE-L-UNSUB@midrange.com.
| Questions should be directed to the list owner/operator: david@midrange.com
+---