To debug or run a native COBOL application in a container

Note: This topic only applies to using native COBOL applications and native projects in containers. To use JVM COBOL applications in containers you need to use the functionality described in Debugging and Running JVM COBOL Applications in Containers.

The general process for debugging or running a native COBOL application or for running unit tests in a container is the same as for debugging or running any native COBOL application or native project, provided you have done the following before you start debugging or running:

  1. Make sure you have the images that you will need. If you're going to be building you will need a Micro Focus Visual COBOL Development Hub image whereas if you're going to be running your application in a deployment environment you will need a COBOL Server image.

    See Running the Container Demonstration for the Visual COBOL Base Image for more information.

  2. Add a Dockerfile to your project.

    Visual COBOL can create a template Dockerfile for you or you can use your own if you already have one.

    See To add a Dockerfile to a native COBOL project for more information.

  3. Check that the container-specific details in your project properties are correct. See To specify project properties for containers for more information.
  4. Update your debug and run configurations to specify container-specific details.

    See To specify container information in debug and run configurations for more information.

Once you have performed these steps you can debug or run as you would normally. See Debugging COBOL applications and To run a COBOL application on your local machine for information on the debugging process in general, and To debug or run a native COBOL application in a container for container-specific debugging information.

Parent topic: How to work with native COBOL applications in containers