Calling C programs through the runtime and calling ACUCOBOL-GT through the C API are the primary methods for interoperating
with C. However, the following three methods may be valuable in special cases:
- Using the C$SOCKET runtime routine, you can establish interprocess communication via sockets. C$SOCKET is a low-level conduit
that provides lots of flexibility.
- Using the C$SYSTEM runtime library routine, you can send a C command line to the program's host system.
- Using named pipes, you can pass data between COBOL and C programs. Named pipes are a method for exchanging information between
two unrelated processes.
These methods are described in the next three sections.