Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for handling access to multiple file-systems from a program written in a high-level language such as COBOL, programming language compilers and run-time environments. More specifically, the present invention provides a computer-implemented method for supporting multiple file-systems in file input/output (I/O) operations. As a result, an object program has access to different file-systems without recompilation. Further, the interfaces within the source language are independent of the specified file-system, so that support of any number of different file-systems can be accomplished with relative ease. In addition, the ability to dynamically select a file-system on a file-by-file basis is provided, thereby allowing the program to use a first file-system for one file and a second file-system for another file.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for handling access to multiple file-systems from a program written in a high-level language such as COBOL, programming language compilers and run-time environments. More specifically, the present invention provides a computer-implemented method for supporting multiple file-systems in file input/output (I/O) operations. As a result, an object program has access to different file-systems without recompilation. Further, the interfaces within the source language are independent of the specified file-system, so that support of any number of different file-systems can be accomplished with relative ease. In addition, the ability to dynamically select a file-system on a file-by-file basis is provided, thereby allowing the program to use a first file-system for one file and a second file-system for another file.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for pre-initializing, maintaining, and terminating a persistent language execution environment. The pre-initialization function allows the specification of a termination exit routine that is invoked on any attempted termination of an object program within the language execution environment, regardless of whether the attempted termination is initiated voluntarily or involuntarily.

Abstract: A method for extending the exponent range in an IBM System/370-type floating point arithmetic processor. Very large or very small numbers are represented by a pair of words having sign, exponent, and fraction portions thereof. If the signs of the low- and high-order words of a pair are the same, then the number is deemed to be in the ordinary processor operating range. However, if the signs differ, then the number is deemed to be out of range. In this case, a range extension is obtained by using the exponent field of the low-order word which otherwise would be transparent to the floating point processor.

Abstract: method and apparatus for directly translating higher-level language program statements into machine readable form, the translation including syntax information for each item of each statement and having type bits included therein to indicate its type. The types include names, operators and literals. The translated items are then sequentially scanned and the type bits analyzed to partially process the machine readable items and supply the partially processed information to a stack. The top two items on the stack are analyzed in accordance with a syntax decision table to operate computer apparatus to conduct operations identified by the partially processed information. Thus, the computer apparatus accomplishes the syntax analysis rather than by means of a compiler.