You can set run-time environment variables and switches to configure the run-time environment for when your applications start
                  running. 
                  	  
               
            
 
            	 
            Restriction: The following only applies to native code. 
               	 
            
 
            	 
            To set environment variables for when you run the project from within the IDE: 
               	 
            
 
            	 
             
               		
               - In Visual Studio, navigate to the 
                  		  Application page in the project properties - click 
                  		  Project > 
                     			 MyProject Properties, and then click 
                  		  Application. 
                  		
               
  
               		
               - Click 
                  		  Environment. 
                  		
               
  
               		
               - Type the name and the value of the environment variable you would like to set, click 
                  		  Set, and then click 
                  		  OK. 
                  		
               
  
               	 
            
 
            	 
            To set environment variables and switches in the application configuration file: 
               	 
            
 
            	 
             
               		
               - In Solution Explorer, right-click the application configuration file in the project, and click 
                  		  Open. 
                  		  
                  
By default, an application configuration file has a 
                     			 .config extension. If the file does not exist, add one for the project - see 
                     			 Related information. 
                     		  
                  
 
                  		
                 
               		
               - On the 
                  		  Environment tab, type a variable name and its value in the 
                  		  Name and 
                  		  Value fields, and click 
                  		  Set. 
                  		
               
  
               		
               - On the 
                  		  COBOL Switches tab, check the switches you require. 
                  		
               
  
               		
               - On the 
                  		  Run-time Configuration tab, configure settings such as the search order for called programs, command line handling and file handling options, and
                  input/output settings. 
                  		
               
  
               		
               - Click 
                  		  OK. 
                  		
               
  
               	 
            
 
            	 
            Note:  If you run your application outside of the IDE, you need to set the environment variable 
               		COBCONFIG.BLOCK to the location of the application configuration file in order for the switches and environment variables set for the application
               to be applied.