To debug or run a native COBOL application in a container

Note: This topic only applies to using native COBOL applications and native Unit Test projects in containers. To use .NET COBOL applications in containers you need to use the functionality described in Debugging and Running .NET 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 Unit Test project, provided you have done the following before you start debugging or running:

Make sure you have the images that you will need. If you're going to be building you will need a Visual COBOL Build Tools for Windows 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.
Add a Dockerfile to your project.
Visual COBOL can create a template Dockerfile for you.

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

Once you have performed these steps you can use the Docker debug profile to debug or run as you would normally. See Debugging COBOL applications 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.