R: Cleanup after program failure

[Finucci Domenico <Domenico.Finucci@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

You may try RETURN-CODE special register.
Here you may find a description from IBM manual:
3.1.39.1 RETURN-CODE Special Register
 The RETURN-CODE special register can be used to pass return 
code information (that is, a numeric value) from a program to its caller 
(either a calling program or the system).
You can set the RETURN-CODE special register before 
executing an EXIT PROGRAM, GOBACK, or STOP RUN statement.
 RETURN-CODE has the implicit definition:
     01 RETURN-CODE GLOBAL PICTURE S9999 USAGE BINARY VALUE 0
 
This special register may be used anywhere in a 
program where a data-item with a data definition of 
PICTURE S9999 USAGE BINARY is allowed. 
When used in nested programs, the RETURN-CODE special 
register is implicitly defined as GLOBAL in the outermost program. 
When a COBOL subprogram terminates, the contents of the RETURN-CODE 
special register of the subprogram are transferred into the RETURN-CODE
special 
register of the calling program. 
When the main COBOL program terminates, and control returns 
to the operating system, the special register content is returned to the 
operating system as a user return code.

For the first call to a program, the RETURN-CODE special register 
is initialized to zero, which is the normal return code for successful
completion. 
The field will be re-set to zero on subsequent calls to a program that has
been 
cancelled or which possesses the INITIAL attribute. Otherwise, 
the RETURN-CODE special register will not be re-set, 
it will be unchanged from the value it contained after the previous call.
You can specify the RETURN-CODE special register in a function wherever an
integer argument is allowed.


Sincerely.

Domenico Finucci
Fiditalia , Milano, 02- 4301-2494


-----Messaggio originale-----
Da: Matthias Oertli [mailto:oertlim@s054.aone.net.au]
Inviato: mercoledì 2 maggio 2001 14.52
A: midrange-l@midrange.com
Oggetto: Cleanup after program failure


Hi guys,

I've been asked to code a call to program B from within program A.

The difficulty is that program B needs a different environment to
program A: A slight change in the library list and a modified data
area.

This is easily doable, make program A call a small CL which sets up
everything, then calls program B and when it returns undoes the
changes and finally returns to program A.

My problem is this: If program B (or the CL) fails for whatever
reason, program A regains control without the environment having been
restored to what it should be which could mean disaster.

How can I guard against this situation?

Thanks for your help.
Best regards,
Matthias

-- 

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Matthias Oertli   <oertlim@s054.aone.net.au>
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